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WHAT CAUSED FIRE REPORT MADE ON BURNING AT STATE COLORED COLLEGE. Inspector Wharton and Chief of Fire Department Dibble, Claim Fire Was Caused by Bad Fine. Insurance Commissioner McMas ter is of the opinion that the fire ?which destroyed the dormitory and dining room of the State Colored 'College at Orangeburg several weeks ago was caused by a defective flue in that the flue, according to reports ?ade by the inspector, show that the flue in the building was only one brick thick. A report has been filed with the commissioner by B. A. Wharton, inspector of the insur ance department, and T. O. Dibble, chief of the fire department of Or angeburg. In his report Mr. Dibble says: '*? beg to recommend that you re quest the trustees of this institu tion that they insist that equipment sad hydrants placed on this campus for fire protection be used for no ether purpose, and that a regular fire squad be organized and drilled in the use of all appliances; that a regular fire drill be required in or der to empty buildings promptly and without panic in case of fire and sufficient fire escapes be provided to ail buildings; that hereafter all buildings to be erected be of brick and in accordance with the standard of the S. E. U. A." By the report of Inspector Whar ton it is shown that a thorough in vestigation of the fire has been made. The cause is fixed as being a defec tive flue. Inspector Wharton says. "I feel it my duty to call atten tion to the fact that most, if not ail the public buildings in South Carolina, are more or less Improp erly constructed, either as to con struction or heating arrangements or fire escapes or fire extinguishers, and I would for this reason suggest that the time is now ripe for the State of South Carolina to adopt a build ing code at least for all public build ings, and still better, for the entire Stote at large, but certainly for the public buildings erected in the State. The loss of money to the State of South Carolina this year teom fire caused from improper con struction should be presented to wery law-maker in such a manner as to convince them of the great need of a building code, at least for all public buildings, if not for the en tire State at large. The benefit de rived from a reduction in insur ance rates in South Carolina from the adoption of a building code would be the saving of thousands of dollars annually, besi'es givin? bet ter protection from fire causes to the property owners all over the State.' In his annual report to the Leg islature, Commissioner McMaster will recommend a law to govern the con ? struction of chimneys to prevent such conflagrations. Inspector Wharton says in his re port in part: "You will appreciate the fact that in most cases to at tempt to establish the origin or cause ^of a fire after a total destruction of a building by fire is a difficult problem. However, in this case sufficient evidence could be had from "the five flues yet stanling to deter mine and establish the cause of the fire beyond any and all reasonable doubt. After going over the situa tion most carefully and making dill gent inquiry of those about the building on the night of the fire as to what the conditions were in the building prior to the fire, with the result that the mystery was no near er solved than when I first went to the burned building. I was deter mined to locate the cause If possi ble. I discovered directly in the vicinity where all parties agree that the fire started, what I thought and was satified was a defective flue. This was at a poir' in the flue be tween the celling of the first floor and the flooring of the second floor. The next point was to satisfy my self as to whether or not it was a defective flue." Continuing, the inspector says, after telling of the difficulty In re-iching the standing chimney, and ?f calling upon Chief Dibble for as sistance, that he found the follow hag condition: "The accumulation of soot, the appearance of Are hav img passed thrtough from the tn Si 'e of the flue to the outside of *fee flue and in and between the wall of the ceiling and flooring of ffce first and second floor." When the point of the flue was finally reached by knocking one ?rick off at a time, the bricks show ed that there was no mortar be tween them, according to the in spector, and continuing, he says: "But it was plainly shown that fire and smoke had been passing through between the brick in the wall be Irwen the celling and flooring, as above stated, and there is no tell ing how long this condition ha i eocisted. "This Investigation was moBt ftorough, and I unhesitatingly an 1 without doubt In my mind say that the cause of the fire was a defec tive flue." The report continues: "Further," the inspector says, "I feel it my du ty in this report also to have a word to Bay as to the construction of the flues in this erlieg". I regard all the flues of this building Improp erly constructed. These were larg er and tall flues with the thickness of the wall,, only four inches." Chief Dibble, after stating that the Gamwell Fire Ahirm system is osel in giving fire alarms, says: "This institution and Claflin Uni versity having no alarm brixes, we gave them the same number on our transmitting board and furnished eards to them so thai there would be no delay In case of fire. I ex plained the system to Mr. Whar WINS STATE CORN PRIZE. Mr. James M. Moss, of Cameron, a Model Farmer. Mr. James M. Moss, who lives in the Cameron section, was awarded the first prize of $200 by the State corn contest commission, which met a few day3 ago. His yield was 500.5 bushels on five acres. He made 72.2 points out of the possible 100. In speaking of Mr. Moss the St. Mat thews correspondent of The News and Courier says: "Mr. Moss is an illustration of the fact that it is the man behind the gun that counts. His present plantation, which is acknowledged to be one of the most fertile and productive in the entire State, and which included the land on which the corn was planted, was acknowl edged to be one of the poorest plan tations in this section when Mr. Moss purchased it years ago. The fer tility of this land is due to the fact that he uses quantities of home made compost and rotates his crops. His farm is also thoroughly drain ed by underground tiling, and is now a garden spot and in every sense of the word a model farm. He not only raises all of his supplies, but derives a handsome profit from the sale of asparagus, corn, wheat, oats and hay, cotton and also hogs, sheep and cattle. "Mr. Moss is one of the few farm ers who keep a detailed book ac count of the cost of every crop he raises. There is a big deeand In various sections for his seed oats, cotton seed, and seed of other of his farm crops. Mr. Moss is now a man of considerable means. He has a large family of boys and girls, to whom he has given the very best college educations; all of which goes to prove that with the right man farm life In South Carolina is not only a most independent life, but also a most remunerative one." WHISKEY BIOS OPENED. Some One Hundred Bids Were Filed With Board. The county dispensary board Wednesday opened the bids for the sale of the whiskey which still is on hand at the county dispensary warehouse. There were about 100 bids, ranging all the way from the smallest amounts which would un disposed of to bids by persons de siring barrel lots. Ike amount biu for will not clear the stock now on hand and'it will be necessary to ad vertise for bids again and hold another sale. The stock on hand before the sale was about $7,000 worth of whiskey and the bids will not reduce the stock over $2,50u or $3,000. The law required that the bi-Is oe made out in triplicate and that jl copy be fitej at the office of the county auditor, county clerk or court ana the dispensary board. A num jer of the bidders failed to comply .vith these rules, thereby debarring themselves from a chance to pur chase. Some of the bidders were too anxious to procure their special urand and offered prices which were above the regular retail prices dur ing the days of the dispensary. It will be a few days before the business of the bidding will be all completed, as this time will be tak en up in placing the highest bidden? at the top of the list and filling or ers in this manner, then the boaru can determine how much stock wil, remain on hand. All the bids re ceived were from this county. COTTON MARKET. New York Futures. Open Close. January.14.98 14.93 ..larch.15.35 15.31 May.15.67 15.61 July.15.69 15.59 August.15.38-39 15.30 September . 14.00 October. 13.45 December. 14.85 Orangeburg Market. Local Spots?14.75. ton, when here, and it is very sim ple If any one would just take time to read the instructions furnished on the cards distributed." "This alarm was not received at headquarters from the college, but run^ in from a box at the corner of East Russell and Railroad avenue, quite a distance from the college, which caused some delay in the ar rival of the department. When we arrive 1 on the grounds which was very promptly, after receiving the alarm, we found that the authori ties at the college had allowed the use of pipe wrenches to open and close hydrants to such an extent that the regulation hydrant wrench use I by the fire department to turn on water was absolutly useless ana fur ther time was lost after hose was laid in getting water. This fact in my opinion accounts for the failure of President Miller to get water when he lal l the hose into the house after discovering the fire. They were el:her hunting for a pipe wrench or when they tried to turn on the water dii not open the hydrant ful ly, hecause since this fire I have figured out what the water pressure should be at that level, with simply gravity pressure on mains, and he should have had at least 10 pounis at the pipe. "I have learned from President Miller since the fire that the fire Bquad at the college had had no prac tic during this term and that the students ha 1 not been instructed in the use of fire extinguishers re cently installed in f'c various build ings. He had 500 feet of good hose anl about ten extinguishers on the grounds, but it seems that there was no fire drills or preparation to pro tect property should fire occur, an ! this is absolutely essential owing to the distance to be covered by tha city fire department before they can get to work." MASONIC GRAND LODGE MEET IN CHARLESTON AND ELECT GRAND OFFICERS. The Sum for the Masonic Orphan age Growing,' But Orphanage Will Not be Erected Now. The Grand Lodge of Masons of South Carolina met in Charleston on Tuesday and closed on Wednes day. This was the one hundred and thirty-third annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of South Caro lina, and was very harmonious, many matters of Importance being dis cuBsed but no radical changes being made in the rules of the order. The question of physical quali fication was left undisturbed, the committee having reported that it had no recommendation to make. However it will be brought up again at the next Communication. Past Master W. M. Whitehead, having given notice of an amendment to the rules in this particular, which will be considered next year. The trustees of the Masonic Or phanage fund reported that $10,000 had been added to the fund since the last Communication, and that the fund now amounts to $33,4000. The report was received as infor mation. The Grand Lodge will make no move to establish a home until a large amount is in hand. The following officers were elect ed: Grand Master, James R. Johnson, of Charleston. Deputy Grand Master, George S. Mower, of Newberry. Senior Grand Warden, George T. Bryan, of Greenville. Junior Grand Warden, R. A. Coop er, of Laurens. Grand Treasurer, Zimmerman Da vis, of Charleston. Grand Secretary, Jacob T. Bar ron, of Columbia. Grand Chaplain, the Rev. W. P. Smith, of Spartanburg. The newly elected officers were duly installed according to the an cient rites of the Craft. The following officers were ap pointed: Senior Grand Deacons: J. P. Duckett, of Anderson, and J. F. Kinney, of Bennettsville. Junior Grand Deacons: O. F. Hart, of Columbia, and A. H. Schade, of Greenville. Grand Stewards. S. T. D. Lan caster, of Pauline, and L. I. Par rott, of Sumter. Grand Marshal, John Kennerly, of Cokesbury. Grand Pursivant, J. E. Cogswell, of Charleston. Grand Tyler, W. A. Winkler, of Charleston. The Grand Master also announced the appointment of the following committees: On Hall: W. M. Whitehead, W. 5. Gantt, M. B. Barkley and T. Allen Legare. On Cemetery: R. P. Evans, W. C. Miller, W. H. Prioleau and E. M. ?Scbmetzer. On Charity: I. W. Hirsch, R. A. Sherfesee, H. Blank and John Har leston. The following were appointed Dis trict Deputy Grand Masters and all of those present were duly installed: First, W. G. Mazyck, Charleston; Second, S. H. Rogers, Beaufort; Third, Butler Hagood, Barnwell; Fourth, W. A. Giles, Graniteville; Fifth, B. E. Nicholson, Edgefield; Sixth, Dr. J. B. Hughey, Greenwool; "eventh, J. B. Douthit, Pendleton; Eighth, O. R. Doyle, Clemson; Ninth, A. S. Rowell, Piedmont; Tenth, Dr. W. B. Patton, Cross Anchor; Eleventh, Van Smith, Newberry; Twelfth, E. C. Secrest, Langcaster; Thirteenth, Joseph Lindsay, Chester; Fourteenth, G ",. Rickey, Sumter; Fifteenth, R. Wallacj, Kings tree; Sixteenth, J. C. Sellers, Sellers; Eighteenth, W. L. Glaze, Orange burg. The Grand Lodge by resolution, ??ppropriatei the sum of $100 with which to procure a suitable testl monlil to be presente 1 to the re tiring Grand Master, James L. Michie, who was succeeded by Grand Master Johnson, and the following committee was appointed to carry nut the resolution: W. E. James, J. T. Barron and J. C. Sellers. It was resolve 1 to hold the next Communlcat:on in Cl,arleston. Make Their Report. The final meeting of the commis sioners in the matter of the pro posed annexation of a part of Berk eley county to Orangeburg county was held Welnes!ay at Eutawville in Berkeley county. The four com missioners, B. H. Moss and G. M. N'orris for Orangeburg county and T. L. Conner and J. S. White for Berkeley county, were all present and the final report was made anu sent to Governor Ansel. The plat of the area desiring to join Orange burg county made by the official survevors. T. C. Hamby of Colum bia and F. W. Frederick of Rowes rille, was accente 1 and it was found that all constitutional requirement." were met with. The report sent to the governor was unainmously ac cepte' by the commissioners and the election will doubtless be ordered by the governor at an early date. Bazaar a Success. The bazaar hel 1 by the ladles of the Brnc^vH'e Metho 'ist church last. u-poV ws a ero-t success. Th's was the annual event of the kind and ???-.q "ensiJere' by every one to be t^e best one evei hel' in Branch ville. The net proceeds <-f the salp rf the goi's amomtel te J3S1.43. "Ns money will be used In refurn ishing the parsonage. Everything w?s arrange most tastefully In the town hall. What would the church do If it was not for the good wo men in it? NEWS FROM BRANOHVILIiE, Methodist Bazaar a Grand Success. Other Local News. Branchvllle, Dec. 15.?Special: the Bazaar given by the ladies of the Methodist church last week came to a qlose on last Friday night. This was the annual -event of the kind and was considered by every one to be the best one ever held in Brnchville. The net proceedB of the sales of the goods amounted to $351.43. This money will be used by the ladies in refurnishing the parsonage. Everything was arranged most tastefully In the- Town Hall. There were booths for a country store, ice cream, cake, aprons, fruit, candy, handkerchiefs, dolls and fancy work, with a great big table on the stage for serving supper and oysters. I Each booth was decorated beautl fully and the manager of each booth (thought that theirs was more beau tiful than the other ones. All the merchandise that was offered for sale in the booths was Bold before I the time arrived to close the bazaar. Large crowds was present each night and everyone seemed to be having a good time and trying to make everyone elBe happy, too. The bazaar this year was a great event and will be remembered by all for a long time. This was the second ba baar that has been held here in the past thirty days and ^he success of the former was about as goou as the latter. Personal Notes. Messrs. W. M. Warren, Neil Steed ly and Walter Kenedy left yester day for Asbepoo station, where they go to spend several days hunting deer and other game. The party traveled via the Edlsto river, in a batteau. Mr. E. C. Utsey, of Charleston, who came up several days ago to attend the funeral of his brother, is spending several days in town before returning to his post of duty with the Southern Railway Company in Charleston. Mr. William C. Peeples, assistant superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company, with headquar ters in Jacksonville, spent several days In town last week, attending to Important business for the com pany. C. H. Baker, of Jacksonville, had business In town last Mnoday. Mr. Baker came from Charleston an^ left In the afternoon for his home at Jacksonville. W. H. Lott, of Saint George, at tended the public sales held here last Saturday. H. D. Dodd, of Adams Run, stop ped over in town last night on his way to Orangeburg to see his daugh ter, who is attending the O. C. I. Mr. Dodd was a guest of his sister, Mrs. T. D. Fender, while In town. Mr. J. W. Wiley, who left a few weekB ago to visit his sister, Mrs. Hanberry, in Summerall, Miss., re turned home today and reports hav ing had a very pleasant time while on his trip. Rev. J. R. Sojourner, who was sta tioned at Smoaks in 1908, was in town today en route to Smoaks where he goes to visit "ome of his old friends. D. L. Rhoad has returned from Abbeville, where he went as a dele gate to the Methodist conference. Mrs. M, K. McDuffle has returned from Elko, where she went to visit her sister. The camps of the American Tele phone and Telegraph Company that has been located here for the past three weeks, under the efficient man agement of Mr. Watkins, left to day for Grover, whem they will locate for the next ten days. Rev. E. H. Beckham has returned from conference and is getting ready to move to Johnston, where he was assigned to preach next year. Personal Notes. Branchvllle, Dec. 16.?Special: F. M. George, of Augusta, spent several days in town last week as the guest of Mr .and Mrs. J. M. Tucker. Mr. George had not visit ed Branchvllle before In several months ana his friends were glad to see him again. W. * Warren spent several days in Columbia last week, where he v/ent to attend to some important business. Miss Addle Glover, of Aiken, spent last Sunday in town as the guest of .uiss Elmira Harden. Mr. and Mrs. Wade Foster, of Denmark, visited relatives and filtnds in town last week. J. R. Llgon, of Sumter, arrived in town last week to make prepara tions for the grand auction sale of lots that will be conducted here next Tuesday. Mr. Ligon has had con siderable experience in real estate deals an 1 in all probability will make a success In this one. Miss Georgia Smoak, of Greensbo ro, N. C, visited relatives and friends in town last week. Her many friends were glad to see her again. John Martin Rushton, of Bennetts vllle, is spending some time in town ns th guest of his sister, Mrs. B. X. Minus. .Miss Estelle Carter has left for her home in Columbia, after hav ing spent several da>a in town visit ing relative?: :,nd friends. A. S. Jabiu, ,;f the firm of Sabla &. Morrison, returned this week from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he spent several days last week on business. While away Mr. Sabin purchased a new locomotive for logging purpos es. On his return Mr. Sabin joined Mrs. Sabin in Spartanbur:, where sfte ha been visiting for several days. ; "? d Advice to Farmers. Senator Smith gives the firmers g o ' advice when he tells them net (i increase t e acreage of cotton next year, but to plant grsin and pr-.vi 'e thos" things wherewltV they can live rt hrn:e. It. is to be hopM that the farmers will profit by the lesson this year's experience has LOCAL NEWS ITEMS PICKED UP ALL OVER TOWN BI OUR REPORTERS. What IB Happening in the Country as Well as in the Clticg and Towns. Mrs. W. S. Leming and child, of Jacksonville, are visiting relatives in the city. The Orangeburg Collegiate Insti tue will close today for the Christ mas holidays. Sims' Book Store has a lot of suitable things for Christmas pres ents. Call and see them. Mrs. Chiyalette Simms Rowe, of Charleston, came up to attend the Griffl-Tharin wedding Wednesday evening. Rev. C. B. Smith, Presiding Elder, will preach at St. Paul's Methodist church tomorrow morning at the usual hour. Mrs. S. H. Brown, of New York, is in the city on a visit to her par ents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kohn, on east Russell street. The express office should be kept open all the time during business hours. This is the way It is done in cities, and Orangeburg is no longer a village. The attention of our readers is directed to the half page advertise ment >of Mr. Jas. C. Fairey on page five. Read what he has to say? then give nim a call. Prof. Harold A. Loring has re turned from Columbia, where he de llveed his lecture-recital, "The North American Indian and His Mu sic," before the students of the University of South Carolina. The Calhoun Advance says. "The Orangeburg editors took good care of the representatives of the press at the goods roads convention on Wednesday night. They don't know how to do things by halves." Come again. Rev. H. W. Bays, D. D., the new pastor of St. Paul's Methodist church, is expected to arrive in Or angeburg about next Tnursday or Frliay, and will preach his first sermon here on the Sunday morning following. On Wednesday afternoon at the residence of Rev. D. D. Dantzler, on Whitman street, Mr. LeRoy Rucker and Miss Rosa Godwin, of the Raymond section, were happily married. Rev. Dantzler performed the ceremony. Rev. L. P. McGee and family will leave for their new field of labor at Laurens on next Thursday morning They feel very much attached to all the people of Orangeburg and will never forget their many acts of win ' ness to them. Read Dr. Wannamaker's talk on Christmas gift giving in today s is sue. It is practical and worth read ing. The up to date drug store is always a great hel pto the people and any goo i news from Wanna maker's is certainly worth while. The Camden News says, "Mr. H. L., Schlosburg Is at Orangebur: for a short time, where he bought an Immense stock of goods at a bargain. He is selling off part of the stock there and will bring the remainder to Camden and dispose of it here." About the tenth of January a nevv bank will be opened at Wagener, as a branch of the Bank of Western Carolina, which begun business on the tenth of this month, with the head office in Aiken. Already a number of branch institutions have been opened by the institution. If you are trying to think of the best Christmas gift for a friend at small cost, we would suggest a year's subscription to The Times and Dem ocrat. The visit of the paper three times each week would keep you constantly in your friend's mini and would only ccst you $1.50. The Carlisle Fitting School at Hamberg will be reopened next fall At the recent session of the South Carolina Annual Conference an as sessment of $1,500 was made for the school and this will Insure its opening next fall. Now, let our people come to its support also. Mr. J. D. Boien requests us to say that he has just received a lot of the best horses and mules ever brought to Orangeburg and desires all who are in the market for Btock to inspect , them before buying. They can be seen In Mr. E. N. Sco vill's yard in the rear of his store. Happily Married. Mr. R. H. Griffin, of Spartanburg, and Miss Chlvalette, daughter of Col A. W. Tharin, were happily married at the home of the bride's sister. Mrs. E. S. Bruner, on Wednesday evening, the Rev. L. P. McGee of ficitaing. The groom is a success ful young business man of Spartan burg, and the bride is one of Or angeburg's handsomest and most charming young ladles. The home where the marriage was celebrate 1 was handsomely decorated in green and white. The young couple have gone on a bridal tour to Florida. After that is over they will take up their residence In Spartanburg. The best wishes of many friends accom pany the happy young couple. Has Been Brought Here. Mr. William Flinches has brought his little boy. who was klckel In the head some time avo by a horse, to this city for treatment. The lit tie boy his been at the Columbia hospital since the unfortunate ac ci ent and is getting seme better. While here he will be entertained at Mrs. V. Smith's home on Glover street and will be in charge of a traine' nurse. Dr. L. C. Shecut will' rive him all the medical attention he needs. We hope the little fel 'ow will b^on be well. I-! Let the . House of McNamara f Head Your Christ mas Shopping List. What more natural than to go to the Men's Shop for those things In tended for your Gentlemen Friends. It is our business to know what will please Men and Boys, and we do. Let us suggest such useful gifts as: Bath Robes.$?.50 to $10.00 SmokingJackete.. .. 13.00 to 7J50 Gloves.1.00 to 8.00 Collar Bags.1.25 to 2.00 Scarf Cases.1.23 to 2.00 Silk Neckwear.50 to 2A0 Silk Mufflers.1.00 to 2.50 Silk Suspenders.75 to 1.50 Silk Umbrellas.. ... 2.50 to 5.00 Fancy Vests.2.50 to 5.00 Knppenheimer Suits and Overcoats. Regal Shoes and Stetson Hats. We take pleasure in showing what we have. ! The HouseofMcNamara I GLOVERS I Our Store is Headquarters for Men's Christmas Gifts There is no need for anybody to go shopping for men's Christmas Gilts. We have fine assortments of almost every thing a man likes to receive in the way of Gifts?things to wear, to give comfort, to use. Our Assortments are greater and more varied than you can find anywhere else in town. Good Gifts For Men! Neckwear, Suspenders, Mufflers, Sweaters, Bath Robes, Overcoats, Smoking Jackets, Suits, Hosiery, Pagarras, Shirts, Night Shirts, Fancy Vests, Handkerchiefs, Gloves, Scarf Pins, Shirt Studs, Sleeve Links, Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, Hats and Caps, Raincoats. I Many articles in the line of I Furnishings come handsomely I boxed, and make most attractive I Gifts, though little priced. GLOVER'S I I Orangeburg, S. C. Great Holiday Morris Mirmow--The Golden Rule Store This Great Holiday Sals is creating quite a sensation with the shopping public. Of course you real our big advertisemtnt in which we itemized our several great bar- gains, which were bought, some as low as 40 cents on the dollar, and are offered in this Great Holiday Sale at this great reduction. , SANTA CLAUS IN TAE ANN LX Thousands of Mieles t In erst Ymi It is fun to see the children admiring Snnta Claus in the Annex Come and Bee us. Yon will be more than pleased. Great Holiday Sale MORRIS MIRMOW'S THE GOLDEN RULE STORE 32 Russell Street Orangeburg, S. C