The Cape Fear Mercury
Wednesday, September
22, 1773; Number 190
The Confession of Spencer
Dew, lately Executed at Duplin, taken by
Felix Kenan, Esq.; Sheriff of said County, and signed by the said
Spencer Dew, at the Gallows, in presence of a large concourse of
people. It is published at the request of Mr Kenan from the original
now in his hands.
I am about thirty-eight years of age, I was born in North-Hampton
County in this Province of honest Parents. I was first induced to Steal
Cattle and Horses by George Dukes
then joined in partnership with Tom
and Michael Rogers, and we
Stole six Horses, and Passed? To the amount
of One Thousand Pounds Conterfeit Money, but the greatest part thereof
was Virginia Currency, which the said Tom and Michael made themselves.
In the Year 1771, I joined in partnership with Ephraim and George Lane;
and George Lane and myself Stole two Horses and a Mare, and Ephraim
Lane bore our expences whilst we were in search of the said Horses, and
he drew one third of the money we got for them. Then Ephraim Lane and
myself Stole eight head of fat Hogs, and he said he had taken more
before, and that they were the property of John Turner. After this,
Thomas Hunter and myself
broke open a House of Joseph Price
on Roanok
Rive, and took a finall? Trunk with some money in it, and a large Shot
Gun.
In the Year 1772, I joined with William
and Pearson Lane, and we Stole
six Horses and two Mares; we also unlatched the Door of Sarah Hunter,
went into the House, and lighted a candle, took a Key out of a Boy's
pocket, unlocked the Store door, and went in, and took about Four
Pounds in Proclamation Money, and about Fifty Pounds in Goods. I was
also in partnership with Thomas Ormond,
and we Stole three Horses and a
Mare, and about seventeen or eighteen Pounds Virginia Money from John
Hill in Craven County, in South Carolina. Then with Ludowick Outlaw we
passed about Four Hundred Pounds Conterfeit Proclamation Money that one
Captain Johnston made; he lives on Thomsons Creek in South Carolina;
afterwards Ormond, Joseph Clark,
William Johnston and
myself, broke
open the Store of Thomas Collins
on Broad River; and Stole about One
Hundred and Fifty Pounds Virginia Money, and Twenty Pair Of Blankets.
Then with Drury Goodwin, and Samuel Lane, we passed about Three
Hundred
Pounds Conterfeit Gold, Silver, and Virginia Money, John Nicholas Smith
and myself Stole from John McIntosh,
a Horse and a Mare, and about
Forty Shillings Cash; and from William
White in South Carolina about
Thirteen Pounds Virginia Money. About the first of March last we were
all apprehended in Hillsborough, and Samuel Lane made his escape; but
having had notice given us, we hid our Counterfeit Money under the head
of a bed, and when we were searched, finding none about us, we were
Discharged. I was in combination with James Davis, P? in NewBern, and
received him Three Hundred Pounds Proc. Which I saw him make to Pass,
and I was to give him one half of what I got for it; and in 1773, he
also gave me Eight Hundred Pounds more of his own make on the same
terms, which I left in the possession of William Marsault, I have seen
Ja-s C---r, receive from said Davis, a 1/2? The full amount of Two
Thousand Pounds Conterfeit, to Pass, and I verily do believe that John
& George Kennedy, are in
Confederacy with said Davis. William
Marsault and myself Stole from Joseph
Holt, nine barrels of Pitch;
three barrels of Tar from Mr Cornell, and two barrels from Mrs Smith.
In January or February, 1772; Robert
McLean and myself Stole from Mr Cornell, two barrels of Pork out
of a Boat that came down Neuse River,
and attempted to Steal another, but were discovered, I knocked down a
man, and we both made out escape. About a Month ago William Stringer
got from James Davis One Hundred and Fifty Pounds
Conterfeit to Pass on the same terms that I had mine.
Since I broke custody after my Condemnation, I broke open Thomas Smith's House, on Neuse River
in Dobbs County, and stole a Surtout
Coat, a Beaver Hat, a pair of Leather Breeches, ------ Jacket, a pair
of
thread Stockings, a Knife, ---------- Chissel, --- --- Powder, -------
---- Meat and Shoulder of Pork. William Marsault and myself Stole
from Samuel Parsons, thirty
eight pound of Bacon; and from Samuel
Cornell, two barrels of Corn. We made an attempt to break open John
Green's Store, but were prevented by feirce door? It has been
maliciously reported, and industriously spread about that Felix Kenan,
Esq. High Sheriff of Duplin County received a Bribe from me, when I was
left in his Custody, to favour my Escape. I now Declare before God and
the World, as I hope for Salvation, that neither he the said Felix
Kenan, nor any other Person, ever received any Bribe or Reward from me
for that Purpose; nor was the said Felix Kenan privy to the means byt
which I made my Escape. Signed: Spencer (X) Dew
Spencer Dew was Condemned last June, and Executed the sd Of August
following.
The Cape Fear Mercury
Wednesday, September 22, 1773;
Number 190.
Just Imported in the Ship Spencer, Captain M'Leod from
London. A large
and compleat assortment of European and East India goods suitable for
the season, which will be sold on the most reasonable terms by Southerland and Cruden in Wilmington and John Cruden and Co. at
Cross-Creek.
September 21, 1773.
The Partnership of Cobham and Tucker will be dissolved the first
Day of
October next. They request all persons who are indebted to them to make
Payment; and those to whom the Company is indebted to send in their
Accompts immediately to either of Partners. The preceeding Requests
they hope will be complied with, their affairs rendering a settlement
absolutely necessary.
Sept. 22.
Any Person having a plantation to dispose from 500 to 1000 acres of
land fit for rice, indigo or wheat may hear of a purchaser by sending a
particular description and the price that will be asked therefor to
Adam Boyd.
Taken up by the subscriber in New Hanover County on the North East of
Cape Fear river in North Carolina, a new negro man, calls himself
Abraham, he is about 5 feet 7 inches high, between 25 and 30 years of
age, with his upper teeth fil'd; had on a negro-cloth jacket and
trousers, speaks but very little English. The owner is desired to come
and prove his property with paying all charges to
John Buford, Sept. 1,
1773.
Notice is hereby given, that a Court of Chancery will be held at
Newbern on Thursday the Fourteenth Day of October next.
By Order, J
Bigoleston, RCC
Sept 15th, 1773.
Whereas Mr James Erwin has by
an advertisement of the 10th current,
forbid any person from purchasing a tract of land upon the Sound,
lately advertised for sale by the subscriber, upon a pretence of his
having a right therto; and wheras the subscribe is fully satisfied of
the validity of his right to them, he gives this public notice, that he
will warrant the titles to be good, to any person that is inclinable to
purchase them. Jo. Murray.
To be Sold, A quantity of the very best negro cloth, ruggs, blankets,
and a variety of other articles lately imported at advance two &
half for one from the sterling invoice, also a few casks of madeira
wine at 1 sl.? per cask, bohea Tea 6s 8 d per lb.; muscovado sugar,
coffee and jamaica spirits----- Tar, turpentine or lumber will be taken
in payment by
J. Burgwin.
Taken up by the subscriber, a bay Mare, about 13 hands high, and about
7 years old, branded on the mounting shoulder and thigh thus S. The
owner is desired to apply to
John Bell.
As several Persons in this Town make a practice to purchase from my
Negroes whatever they pillage from my House in town or Plantation
below, and I have certain information of rum having been sold them, and
am no stranger to those who are concerned; I give this notice that I
will for the future prosecute any person of offending against the Laws
of Province with the utmost rigour.
William Hooper.
Four Pound Reward
Ran Away, from the Subscriber, an Irish Servant Man, named Patrick
Murphey, of the Age of 24 Years, about five Feet, ten Inches
High, and
able bodied Man, dark Hair inclining to curl; talks upon the Brogue;
had one when he went away a green Sailor Jacket, A Shirt and
-----------------------, also white thread Stockings, a pair of broad
rim'd Pewter Buckles with Brass --------- tongues, he had a coarle?
Small Hatt, a blew and white Check Hand-Kerchief marked in one corner.
N. B. Whoever takes up and Secures the said Servant so that his Master
may have him again, shall receive the above Reward, and all Reasonable
Charges Paid by James Blyth.
N. B. Said Patrick Murphy is a Sawyer by
Trade. Wilmington, August 3, 1773. (Thurs.)
To be Sold and entered upon immediately.
That convenient and valuable lot and tar-house at the lower end of
Wilmington formerly called Purviance's wharf and tar-house, but now the
property of John Edwards Esq.
Of South Carolina, whoever is inclinable
to purchase will know the terms by applying to
John Burgwin. August
22nd, 1773.
Three Pounds Reward
Run away from Subscriber September 8th, 1773, an Indented Servent Girl
named Mary Kelly lately from
Ireland, but says she has lived 14 years
in London, is about 18 or 20 years of age, five feet six or eight
inches high, stoops in her walking, fair complection and redish hair,
had on when she went away a little round man's hat, green
petticoat and black tuff? Shoes; took with her, two striped blew and
white collor and calico with red flowers, ---- gowns, and 6 yard; of
dark coloured calico not made up. Whoever takes up the said run away
servant, and secures her in any of his Majesty's Goals so that she may
be had again, shall be entitled to the above reward, and if brought
home all resonable charges paid by me.
George Barnes, at the firm of
Harp & Crown in Wilmington
September 13, 1773.
To Be Sold At Public Sale, On Monday the 6th of December next, at the
Plantation of the late Mr Henry Hyrne,
Deceased. About 18 Negroes,
most of them very valuable among which are Coopers, Sawyers, several
strong, field negro men and a cook; also a stock of about 80 head of
fine large cattle, about 15 of which are fat beeves; a parcel of work
horses and oxen, a good waggon, carts, plows and other plantation
utensils, a flock of near 40 sheep and about as many hogs, also good
beds, beding, chairs, tables and a variety of other valuable household
furniture; the terms of the sale will be six months credit for all sums
exceeding 5l, on giving judgement bonds upon interest from the date
with approved security to Frederick Jones, executor, and for all sums
under the above sum of 5l. ready money; should it prove bad weather on
the day appointed for the sale, it will begin the first fair day after,
and continue till all are sold. All persons who have
any; demands against the said estate are desired to bring in their
accounts properly attested; also those indebted thereto are required to
make immediate payment. The house (which is large and commodious having
four good rooms on a floor, with four dry cellars) and plantation are
to be rented on reasonable terms & entered on Immediately after the
sale, on which are all convenience --- and other outhouses, a large
parcel of cleared land under good fences and several fields in good
order both for rice & corn. There is also another plantation
joining the above to be rented, whereon is a parcel of cleared land
chiefly fenced in, the situation and quality of the aforesaid lands are
to well known, it will be needless to mention the many advantages
arising from farming & making every sort of grain on them, for
terms with respect to renting the aforesaid house and plantations apply
to
Frederick Jones, Executor.
September 8, 1773.
Wheras my Office of Sheriff for New Hanover County will expire next
month, and as there is an immediate necessity for collecting the
different taxes, to as to enable me to exonerate myself and my
securities before the sitting of the General Assembly, and it being
inconvenient for me at present to attend for the purpose: This is to
give notice that Mr John James
of the Welch Tract is properly
authorized to collect such taxes as are due to me. And I give this
further notice, that all persons who are indebted to me for taxes
during my former shrievalty for the years 1763, 1764, and 1765, will
be called upon after the 10th day of September next, and those who
neglect or refuse to pay, will be distrained? Upon without respect of
persons.
Arthur Benning, Wilmington, August 25.
Windham Herald; August 1, 1805
Newbern, July 10
A Duel - Has been fought on the boundaries of the State, between Gen.
Smith and Capt Moore, both of Wilmington. Seconds, Lt. Smith, and
Major Moore Surgeon, Dr. Scott. It was agreed that the distance at
first should be ten steps, to advance a step at each fire; and neither
to quit the field until one of them was seriously wounded. At the
second fire, Gen. S. was wounded below the right breast, fell, and was
carried in a boat round to Wilmington. He arrived in town late in the
evening, a report of his
death having preceded him. The inhabitants crowded the wharves with
great joy to hear of his approach alive and escorted him to the house
with lighted torches. The ball has not been extracted - hopes are
however entertained of his recovery.
The Star - July 31, 1820
Raleigh, NC - July 21
The notorious Anthony Metcalf
is now confined in Person county jail. It
is hoped some of the friends of the numerous women he had married, (to
say nothing of his other offences,) will come forward and prosecute him
with effect.
As far as the history of his life is known, he was raised in
Portsmouth, Va. When quite young he was sentenced to 3 years
imprisonment in the penitentary for stealing a pocket book; married a
woman in Hertford, one in Wilmington, one in Lincoln, another in Pitt,
all in this state, and how many others are not known but if his own
confession (made when confined in our jail) is to be believed, he had
married 14 wives in 1818, and we have heard of one since. His age does
not exceed 30 or 35.
North Carolina Journal; August
23, 1826
New Hanover Election Results -- Thos. Devane, Senate -- William Watts
Jones and John Kerr, Commons Town of Wilmington -- Joseph A Hill
North Carolina Argus; November
22, 1856
Jones: A Probable Murder
An old man named Jones, lately
living at Strickland's Depot, Duplin
County, died one or two evenings since in a house in the lower part of
this town, as we are informed, and his remains were placed in a coffin
and carried to his place of residence above, where the coffin was
opened and the appearance of the corpse was such as to justify the
belief that the deceased had come to his death by violence, whereupon
the body was brought back to this place, and an inquest will be held
over it today. Wilmington Herald
February 23, 1856; North
Carolina Argus
Moore's Creek Bridge
A meeting of citizens of Wilmington was held Friday last to make
further arrangements for celebrating the Anniversary of the Battle of
Moore's Creek Bridge, on the 27th inst. A committee of 20 gentlemen was
appointed, and Messrs G J McRae
and E W Hall requested to
address
the people on the occasion. After which we find: On motion of Col John
McRae, the name of James Banks,
Esq of Cumberland County, was added
to the list of orators invited to participate in the celebration and
address the assemblage on that occasion. Col McRae's motion was warmly
and unanimously approved.
Saturday October 24, 1857; North
Carolina Argus
We regret to record a distressing accident which occurred to Mr George
Southall of this town (Wilmington). Mr Southall had prepared a
small
vial of a chemical composition of which nitric acid was the principal
ingredient, and while conversing with a friend, the vial exploded,
scattering the corrosive fluid into the face of Mr Southall, a portion
entering one of his eyes, instantly depriving it of sight. This painful
accident should be a warning to persons handling chemicals. Wilmington
Herald
Saturday, August 29, 1857; North
Carolina Argus - August 24, 1857
Destructive Fire in Wilmington
A very destructive fire occurred in Wilmington, on the morning of
Monday last. The fire, it is supposed, was the work of an incendiary.
The guilty party or parties, have not yet been arrested. Some of the
merchants of the town have sustained considerable losses. We give
belowe the particulars which we clip from the Wilmington Herald of the
24th:
"The most destructive fire that has occurred in our town for several
years, took place this morning at an early hour. It originated at about
two o'clock in a warehouse on the wharf in the company of Captain Owen Burns, in the rear of a
clothing store occupied by Messrs A.
Kaufman
& Co. These buildings were soon consumed. They belonged to O
G Parksy, Esq. and were uninsured. Kaufman & Co. say that their
loss
is from $2,500 to $3,400 and do not know whether they are insured or
not.
"The fire next extended to the wooden building, the property of Mrs
Noyes occupied by Messrs
Walker & Stevenson, as an office, and by
W T Huggins as a hay store. The loss of Messrs Walker & Stevenson
is trifling; that of Mr Huggins is between $400 and $500, on
which there is no insurance.
"The clothing store of Messrs J &
H Samson, owned by Mrs Noyes,
was next consumed and also a store occupied by them, the property of O G Parskey, on the wharf. The
Messrs Samson say that their stock was
heavy, and that they had full insurance. The amount we did not
discover. Mr Parsley was uninsured.
"The stores on the wharf, owner by Mr Parskey and Mrs Noyes, occupied
by Mr J G Bauman were
destroyed. Mr Bauman's loss was between
$5,000 and $6,000, on which there is insurance to the amount of $2,500.
Mr Parskey had no insurance.
"Even Bevan's store, owned by
Mr O G Parsley, Mr Bevan's Loss,
$1,200 to $1,500, no insurance. W M Lewis had some $200 worth of
tools in the store of Mr Bevan, which were also destroyed. No
insurance.
"The fire next attacked the brick store, and above, by Messrs E McPherson & Co. and O G
Parkley & Co. offices. Capt Burns'
loss is fully covered by insurance. The loss of the other occupants of
the building is supposed trifling. No insurance on the house, which was
the property of O G Parskey.
"A warehouse on the wharf, occupied by Messrs Russel & Bro. and
owned by O G Parskey was consumed. There was a quantity of goods
stored in the warehouse, and some days must elapse before the true loss
can be ascertained"
"Some 600 BBLs. Rosin and about 90 casks Spirits Turpentine on the
wharf, the property of George Harriss,
was lost, partly by burning,
partly by being rolled into the River. A portion of the Spirits has
been recovered, and it is not yet known what will be the loss.
"Mr Daniel L Russel had some
fine Rosin on the wharf, which was
destroyed. Loss about $1,500, no insurance.
"Trifling damage was done to the building occupied by Messrs J J Lippitt and A B McDuffie &
Co. These losses are covered by
insurance.
"Messrs Alderson & Bizzle
had to move their stock of goods and
will lose considerable. There was considerable loss, no doubt, by
persons removing their goods and furniture into the street.
"Mrs Noyes lost three wooden buildings, valued at about $2,500, on
which there is $1,500 insurance. It is a heavy loss to her, for
the rents of those buildings was her chief source of income.
"Mr Parskey, it will be observed, lost several buildings, on which
there was no insurance. These buildings, with one exception, were of
wood, and not of any great value, although they paid an annual rent of
$1,750.
"There can be no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary, as
cirmustances concerning which we shall not speak of at this time, go
very far to strengthen this idea.
"We trust that a rigid examination may lead to the detection of the
villian or villians who have thus applied the midnight torch."
The Herald of the 25th gives the following particulars:
"In the hurry, we omitted to state yesterday that the kitchen of Rock
Spring Hotel, belong to Mr O G Parskey, had been consumed. No
insurance. And that a wharf, the property of Mr F J Lord had been
damaged. Loss near $1,500."
P. S. -- We learn from the Commercial of Thursday, that A. Kaufman was
taken up on suspicion of having feloniously set fire to the premises
consumed on the 24th. It is supposed that he had committed the act to
secure himself the amount of the insurance on his goods.
An examination was held before Judge Vann, on Wednesday evening, and A.
Kaufman held in $5,000 for his appearance at the next term of the
Superior Court. In default of bail, he was committed to jail.
The Weekly Standard of Raleigh,
North Carolina; July 3, 1861
Gone
Rev M B Grier of the Presbyterian Church at Wilmington, and Rev P A
McMartin of the Presbyterian Church at Hillsboro' not sympathizing
with the South, have left their charges and gone North.
The Standard of Raleigh, August
20, 1863
A Remarkable Negro
The "North Carolina Presbyterian" mentions the death of a very
remarkable Negro, known as "Uncle Moreau" and belonging to Gen. Owen of
Wilmington. He was, according to his own account, ninety-three years of
age. We quote the following:
"He was born in Western Africa, upon the banks of the Senegal River.
His name originally was 'Omeroh' which has gradually been changed into
the French title he now bears. He belonged to the tribe of the Fulahs,
but from which of the various nations inhabited by this people he came,
it is difficult to ascertain. There is no doubt, however, that he is
the most remarkable of his tribe ever brought to this country, and is
now perhaps the only one of the nation living in the United States.
"One of the same was sent back to Africa as early as 1733 by
Oglethorpe; another was ransomed and sent to Liberia in 1838; besides
these not more than two Fulahs were known in 1855 to be in the limits
of the Southern States.
"Uncle Moreau was brought to this country in 1807, just before the
final abolition of the slave trade. He was landed at Charleston.
Sometime after he reached this country he fell into the hands of a
cruel master, from whom he escaped. After being arrested as a runaway
and confined in jail in Fayetteville, he was at length purchased by
Gen. Owen, to whom he belonged at the time of his death.
"When Uncle Moreau became the property of Gen. Owen he was a very
devout Mohammedan, but he was baptised by the Rev Dr Snodgrass, then
pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, and became a member
of that Church. His membership was afterwards transferred to the 1st
Church, Wilmington, of which he died a communicant.
"His piety was of the highest order, being characterized by a
child-like trust in the Saviour that was perhaps never excelled. He
spent several months of last year in Fayetteville, a refugee from his
home, and during the time though exceedingly feeble in bodily health,
he was rarely absent from the house of God during worship. Calling to
see him on one occasion, we found him reading his Arabic Bible, which
was his constant companion; and he gave us a specimen of his
composition in Arabic, which though not equal to others we have seen
written earlier in life, does credit to his penmanship in that ancient
language.
"But the devout, humble Christian, reclaimed from the darkness of
heathenism, has passed to the immediate presence of his Saviour. And in
the judgment of those now enjoying 'this blessed privilege, who has
undergone less change at their transition from earth to heaven than
Uncle Moreau."
Wilmington Star, 16 June 1874
The roof of a dwelling house on Fourth, between Hanover and Brunswick
streets, occupied by Mr Morton, of the firm of Wilder & Morton,
caught fire yesterday afternoon, about 2 o'clock, but the flames were
extinguished with but trifling damage. The fire originated from a
spark from the chimney. The alarm did not spread beyond the immediate
neighborhood.
Brunswick Advertiser March 20,
1880; Volume 5, Number 37
Messrs Wilder & Co. are putting up substantial works in the upper
part of town for their distillery etc which are quite an improvement
on the ordinary works through the country. – These gentlemen are
getting ready of business.
Brunswick Advertiser June 19,
1880; Volume 5, Number 50
The
distillery
of
J.
Wilder
& Co. in the upper portion of this city,
was burned on Monday last. We have endeavored to find some one who
could give us the origin of the fire, but so far have failed. The
conflagration was fearful, the dense smoke arising from the flames
casting a shadow for several blocks, giving a peculiarly weird look
similar to that of an eclipse of the sun. The wind being due west, only
the still and office, together with a small lot of naval stores, were
burned. The buildings near the water were not injured. Two houses owned
by Mrs B Golden, on an adjoining lot, were burned, being in close
proximity to the office of Messrs Wilder & Co. which, by the way,
was itself so near the still, and the fire spread so rapidly, that not
even the books of the firm were saved. There was no insurance on any of
the property, hence it is all total loss. But phoenix-like, the firm
are rising out of the ashes and re-building at once. The smoke had
hardly cleared away before the work of re-building began. We should
estimate the entire loss of still and houses, naval stores, etc., at
about $2,500. The sufferers have the sympathy of our whole people.
Brunswick Advertiser June 26,
1880; Volume 5, Number 51
Messrs
Wilder
&
Co.
are
re-building their distillery on the same spot. For
the protection of the cooperage works of Messrs. Anderson & Couper,
they will erect an iron wall, fifty feet long and thirty feet high,
between the still and the cooperage.
Brunswick Advertiser July 10,
1880; Volume 6 Number 1
Messrs
J.
Wilder
&
Co.,
began work again last Monday, having rebuilt their
distillery over the ashes of the old one. We love to see such
enterprise.
Brunswick Advertiser May 22, 1880
Stolen On Tuesday night last, a fine, dark, chestnut sorrel mare from
the camps of Messrs J. Wilder & Co. at the six mile crossing. On
the night following, a white man in Mr W’s employ disappeared also.
The most natural conclusion is, that man and mare went the same road
and traveled in company. Texas law is a good thing for the suppression
of such tricks.
Brunswick Advertiser May 22, 1880
Caught: W T Gray, the chap above alluded to, was caught Thursday
morning at Barrington Ferry. He missed his way during the night, and
thus allowed his pursuers to reach the river ahead of him. In his
possession was found not only the mare, but also a nice coat and pair
of spectacles stolen by him from Mr D Davidson. He is now in the
“Hotel de Moore,” peeping though the bars, looking forward, no doubt,
to the time when he will be permitted to wear, not Mr Davidson’s new
“Sunday-go-to-meeting” coat, but one patterned after the skin of a
zebra.
Brunswick Advertiser November 6,
1880; Volume 6, Number 18
Wilmington
Review,
October
22nd
Dr Thos F Wood, of this city,
sometime since collated a number of
facts relative to the production of turpentine, and its manufactured
results, such as spirits, rosin and oil, in response to some enquiries
submitted to him by Prof. Fluckiger, for insertion in the
Pharmacographia. Dr. Wood’s article has been furnished to New Remedies
a monthly medical trade journal published in New York city, in the
October number in which it appears. it contains matter which will
interest all of our readers, and we reproduce it here. In reading the
article, it must be understood that it is a compilation of replies to
interrogatories, the latter being omitted:
Of the turpentine collected in this district, very little is shipped
north. Most all of it is distilled upon the water courses near the pine
forests. The small quantities of crude turpentine now sent north are
used in making printers’ ink.
Turpentine is distilled in copper stills now. Formerly iron stills were
used. Then the resulting oil was red. When the first copper still was
used in Wilmington, the clear, uncolored oil shipped north was
rejected, because it was not considered genuine “spirits.”
All crude turpentine is distilled with water. The part which water
plays in the process will be seen hereafter. The present distinctions
as to the grades of rosin are somewhat different from yellow and
transparent. It is not the presence of water which makes rosin
yellow. If water gets into rosin, which it does sometimes by
accident, the rosin becomes opaque. All the better grades of
rosin are yellow or amber color, more correctly; but the term “yellow
rosin” is not used here commercially or otherwise. The grade of the
rosin depends, first upon the quality of the turpentine, and, second,
upon the skill in distilling. “Virgin turpentine,” the first exulation
from a newly clipped tree, if skilfully distilled, will yield
“window-glass rosin,” of which there are two or three grades. If, by
any means, water gets into prime rosin, it becomes opaque. This
accidental addition of water must take place after the rosin has been
drawn off from the still.
Yellow dip” turpentine, which is the running of the second and
subsequent years, yields the medium grades of rosin, while the
“scrapings,” the inspissated gum from the tree facings, yields an
inferior rosin, from very dark to almost black. The black rosin
is not due to burning in the still, as has been stated.
Anhydrous rosin is the greater part of the stock produced; the opaque
rosins, being accidental, are limited.
The following description of the process of distillation may explain
further:
A fifteen barrel copper still (barrel weighing 220 pounds each) is
charged early in the morning.—Heat is applied until the mass attains a
uniform temperature of from 212 to 316 degrees F. This is
continued until the accidental water that is, the water contained in
the crude turpentine as it comes from the forest, has been driven off.
The first product distilled over is pyroligneous acid, formic acid,
ether and methylic alcohol, with water. This is known as low wine.
All the accidental water having been distilled off, a small stream of
cold water is now let in so that the heat is kept at or below 316
degrees F., the boiling point of oil of turpentine. The oil of
turpentine and water now come over, and the mixture is caught in a
wooden tub.
The distillate is caught from the still, and separates into water and
oil. There is an overflow spout, which discharges into a tub. The water
is kept low enough in the lower part of the tub to prevent its
overflowing through the cock into the receptacle. From this receptacle
it is put into oak casks, well made with iron hoops, and securely glued
inside.
The distillers test the quality of the flow from time to time in a
proof glass. The distillation is continued until the proportion
of fluid coming over is nine of water to one of oil of
turpentine. At this stage the heat is withdrawn, the still-cap is
taken off, and the hot rosin which remains in a fluid state in the
still, is drawn off by a valvular cock at the side of the still near
the bottom.
This rosin passes through a strainer, before it reaches the vat, to rid
it of foreign substances, such as straw, pine cones, chips, etc.—From
the vat it is bailed by wooden buckets, fixed on a long handle, into
the barrels. Rosin is graded by standard samples fixed upon by the
“Produce Exchange.”
The yield of oil of turpentine from “virgin drip” is about six gallons
to barrel. The yield of oil of turpentine from “yellow dip” is about
four gallons to barrel. The yield of oil of turpentine from “scrapings”
is about two gallons to barrel.
Other products now attract our attention, viz: the distillation of
rosin oil.
The rosin oil of commerce is produced in the following way: Rosin is
introduced into an iron still, the lower grades being used for this
purpose, and heat is applied until the temperature reaches from 316 to
320 degrees F. Water and pyroligeneous and naptha. The heat is then
raised to near the red heat of iron, when the rosin boils, and water
and oil of rosin distil over together. This is crude rosin-oil.
It is heavy, nearly opaque, whitish viscid fluid, opalescent on the
surface.
This crude rosin oil is rectified by distillation, and the resulting
oil is transparent, with a decidedly bluish cast by reflected
light. It is deeply opalescent, more so than petroleum oil. The
residuum left in the still is a black mass with a shining fracture,
giving the hues of crystal analine. Other products still remain to be
spoken of, viz: naptha and oil of tar.
Tar, when distilled, yields pyroligneous acid, water, naptha or spirits
of tar. The naptha, when purified by a second distillation, is clear
and of a very pleasant terebinthinate odor. The oil of tar comes over
in the latter part of the process and a black residuum remains in the
still resembling pitch. All but the last named of these articles have a
commercial value.
Tar is distilled in iron retorts, just as rosin is. There are many
complex bodies which have come to the attention of the manufacturers
during their operations. Some of them have been very intelligently
worked out and identified by Mr William A. Martin, the chemist of the
works we have visited. Some remain to be investigated. Terebinthine
products have always been exceedingly interesting chemically, and just
now we are moving towards practical commercial results. I am expecting
to announce, at no distant day, that we have made a sure step in the
right direction.
Brunswick Advertiser &
Appeal May 21, 1881; Volume VI Number 46
GLYNN
COUNTY,
Its
Railroad
Facilities-Town-Soil-Climate-Industries
and
Inhabitants. Cary W. Styles, is Waycross Reporter.
Mr J. Wilder is another enterprising citizen, and is offering
advantageous inducements to the turpentine interests of the country. He
has a large distillery in the city, and in addition to the manufacture
of his own crude turpentine, obtained from his extensive farm, six
miles up the road, he proposes to purchase the crude from the country
and distill it here. He will pay the highest cash prices paid in
any market on the Atlantic coast, and will protect his customers
against the frauds so common in the weight of barrels. Mr Wilder is
well known as a gentleman of the highest integrity, and one who deals
fairly and liberally. He is also agent for the Palmer barrel, which is
made in New York out of Western wood, and sold here at a lower price
than a Georgian with a similar barrel made out of Georgia wood.
TURPENTINE INTEREST.
Mr J. Wilder has a farm of 8,000 acres at the six mile crossing of the
B. & A. and M. & B. railroads. This farm affords 27 crops,
270,000 boxes, works 45 hands and yields 200 barrels of crude
turpentine to the crop. Mr Wilder paid one dollar per acre for the
lands he purchased, and that is about the price of lands in the
vicinity. His neighbors get turpentine, and obtain good prices from him
at his still in Brunswick.
The Morning Star
Wilmington, NC Tuesday, May 15, 1883; Volume XXX Number 46
RIVER
AND
MARINE
The schooner Katie Edwards, a regular visitor at this port, being on
the line between this city and Onslow county, was sunk in Bear Inlet,
at Brown Sound, between Swansboro and New River, on Wednesday night
last. She was loaded with turpentine. No further particulars have thus
far been received, but it is thought the cargo will probably be
saved. The schooner Ray, Capt Dennis, has gone to the relief of
the unfortunate vessel. The schooner Katie
Edwards is the property of Messrs. Hall & Pearsall, of this city.
The Weekly Star Wilmington, NC
May 30, 1884; Volume XV Number 34
We learn through a private telegram received by Mr Geo R Ward, of
this city from his cousin, Dr E W Ward, of New River, Onslow county,
yesterday, that Mr A C Huggins’ examination before a coroner’s jury
in relation to the killing of Dr Charles Lesesne, on Tuesday last,
resulted in his acquittal. Mr Huggins’ children are still here.
Observer And Gazette
Fayetteville, NC February 25, 1886
The freight steamer River Queen, which ran between Wilmington and
Fayetteville, and from which Capt A. H. Worth had only a few days
since retired as commander, was burned at her wharf in Wilmington
during the big fire of Sunday last. The River Queen was owned by Mr
Bagley, and was partially insured.
Fayetteville Observer &
Gazette January 28, 1886
We learn that Capt Jeff D Robeson, a popular young river captain, is
to take command of the steamer Bladen, Capt T J Green designing to
retire from the boating business and devote himself to other pursuits.
Whatever field Capt Green may choose for his labors, he will doubtless
find as many friends as he has on the Cape Fear, where he has been
known and esteemed for so many years.
The Morning Star Wilmington, NC
February 23, 1886; Volume XXXVII Number 129
A
TERRIBLE
FIRE
A Large Portion of the Business Part of the City Laid in Ruins – Two
Steamers and a Schooner Burned – Railroad Freight Depots in Ruins –
Many Valuable Residences Swept Away – Scenes and Incidents of the Great
Fire. The city was visited Sunday afternoon last by the most disastrous
conflagration, probably, ever known in its history. It has inflicted
immense loss upon business men and others, and laid waste large
portions of its busiest and most thickly settled thoroughfares. It is a
calamity from which we fear our fair city will be long in recovering;
but it should be consolation to know that beyond the distress and
suffering that must necessarily ensure to many, there has been no loss
of life and no serious personal injury to any one. The fire began about
2 o’clock on the steamer Bladen which had just arrived from
Fayetteville, having on board a cargo of cotton and naval stores.
The boat was within a hundred and fifty yards of the foot of Chesnut
street when the fire was first discovered in bales of cotton on the
lower deck near the boiler. The steamer was at once headed for
the shore, but before she
reached the nearest wharf – that of the New York (Clyde) Steamship
company – the flames had enveloped the whole forward part of the boat,
had reached the upper deck, and driven the seven passengers back to the
stern of the vessel. Fortunately, several boats were sent to the
assistance of the burning steamer from vessels across the river, and
the passengers were assisted into these and safely landed. The
passengers on the Bladen were Miss Erambert and Mrs. Hunley and child
of Fayetteville, Mr A. J. Harmon of Bladen, Mr Robert Lee of
Wilmington, Mr Dodson, a commercial traveler, and two other gentleman
whose names could not be learned. They all made a narrow escape
and lost all their baggage.
Meantime, the blazing steamer had set fire to a lighter filled with
wood that was alongside, and to the wharves and sheds of the Clyde
Steamship Company. The wind was blowing almost a gale from the
southwest, and the flames spread with great rapidity – sweeping
up the wharves, and to the yards, warehouses and offices on Water
street. Oil, tar, rosin and spirits turpentine in yards adjacent were
ready fuel for the devouring flames, and in a very short time the whole
river front from Chesnut to Mulberry was ablaze, and the stores and
offices on the west side of Water street for the same distance, were
enveloped. The firemen fought manfully and determinedly, but their
efforts were futile; nothing could stay the progress of the flames,
which leaped and roared like a demon, sending aloft showers of sparks
and burning brands, that the high winds carried and hurled on the roofs
of buildings squares away from the raging conflagration. To add to the
difficulties that the firemen had to contend with, a dense black smoke
filled the streets to the leeward of the fire, rendering it almost
impossible for any effective work to be done in that quarter.
The fire pressed steadily onward along the river front, burning wharves
and sheds and quantities of naval stores and other merchandise. The
schooner Lillie Holmes, lying at the wharf beyond the steamship wharf
was soon wrapped in flames and consumed; the men escaped, but saved
nothing of their effects. And the steamer River Queen with cargo,
just from Fayetteville, suffered a like fate.
On Water street the fire spared the building on the west side occupied
by Messrs. Smith & Gilchrist, but swept away the stores and offices
of Messrs. Kerchner & Calder Bros. S. P. Shotter & Co.,
and A. H. Green, and on the east side from the store of Mr M. J.
Heyer, (which was badly damaged) including a dozen other brick stores
and tenements to Mulberry. The flames then crossed that street to the
large warehouses and offices of Messrs. Worth & Worth and Paterson,
Downing & Co., which rapidly succumbed. Sweeping onward, the
flames next attacked and devoured on the west side of Water street the
premises of Messrs. Alex Sprunt & Son, Mr J. A. Fore’s saw mills,
the Champion Cotton Compress, and the two large freight warehouses of
the Wilmington, Columbia & Augusta and Wilmington & Weldon
Railroads, with about a dozen box cars laden with miscellaneous
freight. After attacking the large brick building occupied by
Messr.s Worth & Worth and Paterson, Downing & Co., the fire
crossed to the east side of Water street, and swept away everything
from the corner of Mulberry to the railroad, including the large
merchant mills of Mr J. G. Boney and Mr C. B. Wright and the block of
brick stores extending from Mulberry to Walnut streets.
During the progress of the fire on Water street, the high winds carried
burning brands far and wide, setting fire to many buildings squares
away, even so far as Fifth and Hanover streets, where a square and a
half of wooden houses occupied by colored people were burned.
Before the fire had crossed Mulberry street on Water, burning brands
also set fire to the residence of Hon. Geo Davis, on Second between
Walnut and Red Cross streets. This house burned slowly, but there were
no means available to save it until it was too late.
The First Methodist church, on Front street at the corner of Walnut,
caught fire in the large wooden belfry on top from sparks borne by the
winds from the burning merchant mill of Mr C. B. Wright, and soon the
whole interior of the large edifice was in flames. Soon after the whole
square, consisting of residences, bounded by Second and Front on the
east and west and Walnut and Red Cross on the south and north, were
burning, until nothing was left unconsumed on the square but the
Methodist parsonage, in rear of the church on the corner of Walnut and
Second streets.
All the buildings on the west side of Front street from Walnut to Red
Cross were also burned, including the offices of the Atlantic Coast
Line, in the large building on the corner of Front and Red Cross
streets. After burning the square on the west side of Second, the fire
crossed Red Cross street and destroyed the residence of the late Henry
Nutt. This was the last building burned; the further progress of the
flames being stayed by the wide gap caused by the railroad excavation
just beyond in a northeasterly direction.
The scenes in and around the burning district were heart-rending. Many
of the residents of the burned buildings and those adjacent removed
their furniture and household goods, only to see them burned in the
streets, others were removed to places of safety; but by far the larger
part of the sufferers were unable to save anything of either furniture
or clothing. Early during the progress of the fire it was seen that the
Fire Department of the city was unable to cope with it, and the Mayor
attempted to open communication with Goldsboro for assistance, but all
the poles and wires of the Western Union Company were burned down along
Water street, and also the wires of the Wilmington & Weldon
Railroad Company, and it was impossible to do so. Mr Clem Brown,
manager of the Western Union, however, succeeded after awhile in making
connection with the wires beyond the burned district, and soon opened
communication with Goldsboro, and also with Florence, SC. The call for
assistance was readily responded to from both these places, and the
fire company from Florence with their apparatus soon arrived and
assisted in extinguishing the flames.
Toward nightfall the Wilmington Light Infantry were requested by the
Mayor to assemble at the company’s armory, and as special policemen,
post sentinels in and around the burned district for the protection of
property exposed on the streets. The company turned out with thirty
five muskets, which number was swelled during the night to forty-five.
Under the command of Capt W. C. Jones, the company performed efficient
service, in several instances driving off pilferers and stopping
disturbances among knots of drunken men, gathered on the streets.
They were relieved at seven o’clock Monday morning.
Many of the firemen were also on duty throughout the night,
extinguishing the burning debris and preventing other fires. They
worked heartily and faithfully throughout the progress of the fire, and
although their efforts seemed to be ineffectual, they really prevented
a more disastrous conflagration. They fought the flames in front and
ear unfalteringly and on the fire’s flanks, all along the line, with
the grim determination of veterans. Their water supply was inadequate.
They were cut off from the river, except in the rear of the fire, and
had to rely elsewhere entirely on the Water Works, and although these
were working to their full capacity, the great drain upon it from
steamers and every hose that could be attached to fireplugs, greatly
weakened the force of the streams. It is impossible to correctly
estimate the losses at this writing. Roughly stated it may approximate
one million dollars.
A TERRIBLE FIRE
A Large Portion of the Business Part of the City Laid in Ruins – Two
Steamers and a Schooner Burned – Railroad Freight Depots in Ruins –
Many Valuable Residences Swept Away – Scenes and Incidents of the Great
Fire. The fire in “Brooklyn’ began on the roof of St. Barnabas school
house, corner Fifth and Hanover streets and erected by St. Marks’
(colored) Episcopal church. It caught from burning cinders
carried by the winds from the fire raging on Water street. Being
a wooden building it ws quickly destroyed, but not before the flames
had spread to other houses, nearly all occupied by colored
people. The store of Mr M. Rathjen, corner of Sixth and Swann
streets was burned, the proprietor saving but little of its contents,
and the colored Methodist Church on the corner of Seventh and Bladen
streets. Several other buildings were burned on this street; and
in all eighteen or nineteen houses in that section of the city were
destroyed, the inmates losing the greater part if not all of their
household goods.
The following is a partial list of the sufferers by the fire – so far
as we have been able to ascertain them.
ON SECOND STREET
Mrs. S. R. Bunting, dwelling; no insurance. Furniture saved.
Hon. Geo. Davis, dwelling; insured. Furniture saved.
Col. E. R. Brink, dwelling and furniture; part of the latter saved.
Insured.
Brick dwelling house belonging to the estate of the late henry Nutt,
occupied by Mrs. W. L. Parsley, H. Emerson, and Dr. J. H. Durham.
Partly insured.
ON RED CROSS STREET
Two brick dwellings belonging to Mr Sol. Bear; on occupied by Mr Wm.
Aldridge and the other by Mr Bear. Insured.
Two frame houses owned by the Messrs. Chadbourn and occupied by Mr S.
P. McNair and Mrs. Winston. Insured.
ON FRONT STREET
Large brick dwelling occupied by Mr Smith, recently from Burgaw, who
saved nothing.
Mrs. B. Flanner’s residence. Insured.
Frame house owned by Mr J. Alves Walker. Insured. The occupants saved
part of their furniture.
Frame dwelling owned by Mr P. Donlan; insured.
Front Street Methodist church; partly insured.
Frame house opposite the church, belonging to Mr D. L. Gore and
occupied by two families; insured.
Brick dwelling belonging to Mr James Madden; insured.
Frame house occupied by Mrs. Pridgen, whose furniture was partly
insured.
Brick building, offices of the Atlantic Coast Line; no insurance.
ON WATER STREET
Messrs. S. P. Shotter & Co., naval stores; found safe and books all
right and were fully insured.
Messrs. Smith & Gilchrist, grocers and commission merchants, loss
small, fully insured.
Building owned by Kerchner & Calder Bros.
Mr C. B. Wright; merchant mill a total loss; insured for $10,000 on
mill and $6,000 on stock.
Mr A. W. Watson; loss $1,500; no insurance.
Mr H. W. Bryant, grocer. Loss $8,000; insurance $1,000.
Mr Owen Fennell, 36 bales of cotton burned; fully insured.
M. J. Heyer, grocer and commission merchant, damaged principally by
water. Loss about $10,000; fully insured. Building owned by J. C.
Heyer; insured.
Messrs. Worth & Worth, commission merchants and grocers; loss
$75,000; fully insured.
Mr C. H. Wessell, grocer; loss $3,000; insurance $1,500.
Mrs. Bryson (Mariners’ Hotel); loss $6,000; insurance $2,000.
Mr John G. Oldenbuttel, loss on buildings $3,000; insurance $1,200.
Martin O’Brien, three brick stores and stock a total loss -- $7,000,
One wooden building, insured.
Champion Compress Company $50,000 loss; insurance $27,000. Three
thousand bales of cotton burned; insured.
New York Steamship Co.’s wharf and sheds, owned by Kerchner &
Calder Bros., insured.
The officers of the Atlantic Coast Line estimate that company’s total
loss at $30,000. They have purchased the residence of Mr Wm. Calder,
corner of Front and mulberry streets, which will at once be fitted up
for the company’s headquarters.
The Southern Bell Telephone company lose $300; American Bell Company,
$700.
No estimates of losses were obtained from Messrs. Paterson, Downing
& Co., Alex. Sprunt & Son, and Kerchner & Calder Bros.,
which were large, but fully insured. Messrs. Sprunt & Son’s
loss was stated by other parties at
$120,000.
The steamer Bladen was insured for $5,000 and valued at $7,000.
The steamer River Queen was insured for $1,000.
The schooner Lillie Holmes was burned to the water’s edge. She
was valued at $80,000 and uninsured.
The insurance companies doing business in the city furnish the
following list of their liabilities:
With Northrop & Hodges: J. M. Forshee, $1,000 on mdse; heirs of
Henry Nutt, 800 on frame store; heirs of Henry Nutt, 400 on shed and
office; Robt Robinson, 1,800 on frame bulding; Samuel Beal, Sen, 990 on
mdse; J G Oldenbuttel 200 on frame building; Champion Compress 2,000 on
building; Sol Bear, 2,300 on furniture; Charles Wessell, 1,500 on dock;
Bladen Steamboat Co., 2,000 on steamer; W H Sprunt; 200 on horses and
harness; James Sprunt, 175 on horses and buggies; Alex Sprunt &
Son, 1,500 on wharf structure; M Bear & Bros, 400 on frame
building; N Giles & Co, 1,000 on rice in the W & W R R
warehouse; estate of John McRae, 1,000 on saw mill building; all in the
Phoenix, of Hartford. Samuel Bear, Sen, $636 on mdse; Worth &
Worth, 4,080 on cotton; all in London and Lancashire, of Liverpool,
Eng. M J Heyer, $1,000 on stock; D G Worth and estate of N G Daniel,
1,500 on frame sheds; Champion Compress Co, 2,500 on building and
machinery; N Giles & Co, 2,500 on rice in W W R R warehouse; Sol
Bear, 3,500 on dwelling house; Hall & Pearsall, 387 on cotton; all
in the Home, of New York. Champion Compress Co, $5,000 on building and
machinery; Alex Sprunt & Son, 2,500 on building and office
furniture; Front Street M E Church, $3,000 on building and furniture;
all in Royal Insurance Company, of Liverpool. Front Street M E Church,
$1,800 on pipe organ; Hall & Pearsall, 2,193 on cotton; all in
Georgia Home, of Columbus, Ga. Worth & Worth, $4,000 on
merchandise; Champion Compress Co, 5,000 on building and machinery; all
in Lancashire, of Manchester. Champion Compress Co, $5,000 on building
and machinery; Worth & Worth 4,185 on cotton; George Davis, 3,000
on dwelling; Kerchner & Calder Bros, 2,500 on building; John C
Heyer, 2,000 on building; all in New York Underwriters Agency. Worth
& Worth, $5,400 on merchandise; John R Turrentine $1,500 on
merchandise; Mary A Winton, 1,200 on furniture; all in Germania, of New
York. Bladen Steamboat Co, $2,000 on steamer; Charles Wessel, 1,500 on
building; J. G. Oldenbuttel, 5,000 on frame building; Champion Compress
Co, 5,000 on building and machinery; J W Taylor, Agent 1,500 on saw
mill machinery; all in Western Assurance Co, of Toronto, Conn. Hall
& Pearsall, $1,032 on cotton; Hall & Pearsall 1.72 on cotton;
all in Norwich Union, of Norwich, England.
With Jno W Gordon & Smith: Jno C Heyer, $2,000 on building; M J
Heyer 2,000 on stock; E R Brink, 8,750 on dwelling and furniture; Hall
& Pearsall, 4,750 on cotton; P Donlan, 1,600 on dwelling and
furniture; Mrs S A Flanner, 8,000 on dwelling and furniture; C B
Wright, 2,500 on building; Kerchner & Calder Bros, 3,000 on sheds;
F A Newbury, 500 on building; Alex Sprunt & Son, 4,000 on brick
building and sheds; M Rathjen, 1,200 on building; J W Taylor, 1,000 on
machinery; all in Liverpool & London & Globe. Paterson, Downing
& Co, $8,000 on naval stores; C S Love & Co, 2,000 on naval
stores, Worth & Worth, 2,000 on naval stores; Christine Oldham, 500
on furniture; T B Henderson, 1,000 on merchandise; Hall & Pearsall,
344 on cotton; S P Shotter & Co, 6,500 on naval stores; all in
Hamburg Bremen, of Hamburg. Hall & Pearsall, $86 on cotton; estate
of John McRae, 1,000 on mill; C B Wright, 8,000 on stock; S P Shotter
& Co, 600 on office furniture; all in Phoenix Assurance of London.
E K Pridgen, $280 on furniture; Hall & Pearsall, 869 on cotton;
Louis J Poisson, 150 on furniture; all in the Rochester German, of
Rochester, N Y. M Rathjen, $900 on stock and furniture; James I Metts,
900 on furniture; Hall & Pearsall, 129 on cotton; all in the
Virginia fire and Marine, of Richmond. J W Taylor, $750 on machinery,
in Alabama of Mobile, and 750 on machinery in the Citizen of Mobile.
With Atkinson & Manning: Pembroke Jones, $5625 on cotton
ties: M J Heyer, 2,500 on stock; Mrs A M Parsley, 1,500 on building:
Worth & Worth, 13,200 on building and stock; D G Worth and estate
of N G Daniel, 10,950 on
building; Hall & Pearsall, 28,800 on cotton; George L Arp, 2,000 on
guano; J G Oldenbuttel, 500 on building; Samuel Bear, Sr, 4,325 on
dwelling and furniture; C B Wright, 5,500 on building and stock; Mrs C
R Gause, 300
furniture; Bagley, Stewart & Bagley, 1,000 on steamer River Queen;
St Barnabas School House, 1,500; H R Kuhl, 1,000 on dwelling house;
Thomas Rivera, 300 on dwelling.
These amounts are divided between the following companies: Queen, North
British & Mercantile, Hartford, Phoenix, aEtna, Commercial, Union,
Fire Association, City of London, Hibernia and North Carolina Home.
With DeRosset & Northrop; Worth & Worth, $12,500 on mdse; Smith
& Gilchrist, 1,000 on mdse; Bladen Steamboat Co, 1,500 on steamer;
M J Heyer, 1,000 on stock; C B Wright 2,500 on building; Champion
Compress Co, 2,500 on building, machinery and all in North America of
Philadelphia; J M Forshee, 1,000 on stock, in Springfield Fire and
Marine, of Springfield, Mass.
With M S Willard: Owen Fennell, $8,000 on cotton; E Lilly, 1,600
on cotton; A H Greene, 2,500 on cotton; D L Gore, 1,000 on cotton;
Kerchner & Calder Bros, 1,000 on frame warehouse; W I Gore, Son
& Co, 1,000 on mdse; Smith & Gilchrist, 50 on cotton seed;
heirs of H Nutt, $1,800 on brick stores; M J Heyer, 2,500 on stock;
Alex Sprunt & son, 1,500 on spirit barrels, & c; James Madden,
2,200 on brick building; G J Boney, 6,000 on machinery and 2,000 on
stock; Mrs E H Newkirk, 1,500 on brick building, occupied by G J Boney;
C B Wright, 300 on hay; heirs of H Nutt 4,300 on brick dwelling; Mrs.
Emily Gerhardt, 350 on furniture; Alex Sprunt & Son, floating
insurance. These amounts were divided as follows: $8,000 in
Continental; 10,250 in Fire Insurance Association; 1,800 in German
American; 4,950 in Sun; 5,195 in Northern; aggregating 30,195
With Wm L Smith & Co: Delia Bryson, $2,000 on brick hotel; M J
Heyer, 1,000 on stock; H W Bryant, 1,000 on stock; all in Scottish
Union & National. Kerchner & Calder Bros, $2,500 on brick
building; Bladen Steamboat Company, 1,000 on steamboat; J H Durham, 800
on furniture; J A Walker, 2,100 on dwelling; all in Connecticut fire.
Worth & Worth, $8,000 on naval stores; J C Stevenson, 500 floating
policy; C B Wright, 2,500 on mill building; all in Crescent Insurance
Company.
In the Germania Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Louis J Poisson, agent:
M J Heyer, furniture, etc, $500; Kerchner & Calder Bros, mdse, 500;
L C Kerchner, building 2,000; M J O’Brien, 700; E J Pennypacker,
compress, 1,000; Geo L Arp, 1,000.
HOPE STEAM FIRE ENGINE Co.
The Hope Steam Fire Engine Company of Florence which so gallantly came
to our rescue at the fire Sunday evening, returned home yesterday
afternoon at 2 o’clock. The company did gallant service while with
us. They were on duty all night at the railroad warehouses,
extinguishing the flames and preventing the fire from spreading. The
company was commanded by Captain J. Jellico, and has thirty-five
members. They responded promptly to the appeal for aid and in twenty
minutes after receiving the dispatch from May Hall were at the depot in
Florence with their engine, and three hours afterwards were in
Wilmington ready for work.
PUBLIC MEETING.
A public meeting was held at the rooms of the Produce Exchange at 12:30
o’clock yesterday. On motion Mayor Hall was called to the chair, and J
I. Macks, Esq., was requested to act as Secretary. On motion of F. H.
Darby, Esq., a committee of five was appointed to draft suitable
resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. Cols. J. W.
Atkinson, W. L. DeRosset, Messrs. F. H. Darby, Sameul Bear, Jr., and J.
D. Bellamy were appointed on said committee. On motion, the Mayor was
requested to close the bar rooms of the city for the next twenty-four
hours.
The special committee, through Col. J. W. Atkinson, offered the
following preamble and resolutions: A fearful disaster has befallen our
city by the fire which rendered homeless so many of our citizens, and
destroyed vast amounts of property; and it seems right that some action
shall be taken promptly to alleviate the distress that must ensue in
this calamity; therefore be it Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be
appointed by the chair to solicit subscriptions for the relief of the
destitute and to collect and turn over the same to a special committee
of five to be likewise appointed, who shall be fully authorized to
distribute the same according to their best judgment.
Resolved, That the thanks of the entire community be extended to the
Fire Departments of Florence, SC, and Goldsboro, N. C. for their prompt
response to the request for assistance which was sent by our Mayor to
the authorities of these towns, and that the Mayor and authorities of
our city be requested to tender to the fire companies of the same towns
reimbursement of their expenses incurred in coming to our relief.
Resolved, That we desire to express our high appreciation of the
efficient and unselfish services rendered by our own gallant firemen.
Resolved, That we appreciate the valuable services of the Wilmington
Light Infantry Company, acting as special guard and police, and
recognize the good results of their presence in maintaining order and
quiet among the large number of people assembled on the streets during
the entire night.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted and the following committees
appointed:
On Subscriptions – Messrs. J. W. Atkinson, F. Rheinstein, H. C.
McQueen, Geo., W. Kidder, H #ollers, J. D. Munds, F. H. Mitchell,
Samuel Bear, Jr. H. A. Bagg, A. H. Green, J. H. Currie, B. F. Hall, D.
G. Worth, F. W. Kerchner, R M. McIntire.
On Distribution – Donald Mc Rae, G. W. Williams, Roger Moore, Clayton
Giles, W. I. Gore.
On motion, the committee having in charge certain funds raised on a
previous occasion for the relief of the cyclone suffers, and which had
not been expended, were requested to turn over the same to this
committee on subscriptions.
On motion, the Secretary was requested to furnish the press of the city
with the proceedings of the meeting and that copies of the resolutions
be sent to the cities of Florence and Goldsboro.
About $1,000 was subscribed at the meeting, in addition to four hundred
dollars in the hands of the Merchants committee. On motion the meeting
adjourned.
Observer And Gazette
Fayetteville, NC; February 25, 1886
The loss of the steamer Bladen, briefly mentioned in the account of the
fire at Wilmington on Sunday morning last, was caused by fire which
occurred when the steamer was within 150 yards of her wharf. The most
strenuous efforts immediately became necessary to save the lives of the
passengers and crew, as the flames increased with fearful rapidity, and
the Bladen was run in at the shed of the New York steamers, where the
passengers were with difficulty landed in safety from small boats, but
with the loss of all their baggage.
The Bladen was a stern-wheel steamer of wooden hull, remodeled in the
spring of 1885, was fitted up for both passengers and freight, and had
a capacity of about 800 barrels of rosin. She was owned by the
“Bladen Steamboat Company,” and Messrs. A. E. Rankin & Co. were the
agents at Fayetteville. She was built at a cost of $9,000, and
was insured for $5,500, with $2,500 on cargo. A lot of 112 bales
of cotton shipped by Mr R. M. Nimocks to Messrs. Sprunt & Son,
Wilmington, was protected by a floating policy. Capt R. H.
Tomlinson had recently been made commander of the Bladen, and at the
time of its burning both he and Capt Jeff. D. Robinson were on board.
The passengers on board the Bladen, were Messrs. Robt. Lee, of
Wilmington, A. J. Harmon, of Bladen county, Dodson, a commercial
traveler, Mrs. Thos. Hundley and child, of Fayetteville, Miss Erambert,
of Richmond, Va., and one or two others whose names were not learned.
We learn that Miss Erambert was for a few moments in great danger, her
hair being singed and clothing scorched before she could be rescued
from the boat.
Fayetteville Observer &
Gazette January 21, 1886
From the Wilmington Star
The drift ice made a clean sweep of everything in its way in the lower
part of the Cape Fear River Thursday night. It carried away the
light-house built on piles of Drum shoals, just above New Inlet and the
Drum shoals buoy. No. 7 buoy, in the Horse Shoe, and the buoy in the
lower part of Snow’s Marsh channel were also carried away, besides the
piling along the channel. Some of the fields of ice were half a mile
square or more and four to five inches thick. At Smithville the pilot
boat Oriental, Capt Newton, was dragged from her moorings and carried
out about a mile before she could be freed from the ice. The copper on
her sides was cut through in places. The schooner Ware, used as a
lighter, was jammed on Battery Island shoals, where a hole was cut in
her side and she filled and sank to the water’s edge. She was
loaded with rosin for the barque Richard, lying at Smithville. Pilots
say that all the marks at the mouth of the river are now gone, and
until they are replaced navigation will be difficult, especially in
thick weather.
Fayetteville Observer &
Gazette January 21, 1886
Capt A. H. Worth, a steamboat captain of many years’ experience on the
Cape Fear, gives us a graphic picture of the pains and perils of river
navigation last week. At Harrison’s Creek, last Thursday, his steamer,
the River Queen, became as completely ice-bound as ever was Dr. Kane in
the frozen regions of the North Pole. The water seemed to be solid
almost to the bed of the river, and by no power of steam could the boat
cut its way through the dense mass, while the roaring sound of the
great cakes of ice grinding and crushing one upon another reminded on
of a dozen steamers ploughing their way along the stream.
The Wilmington Messenger
Saturday, April 21, 1888
A Solid House
What a Messenger Reporter Picked Up On Water Street Yesterday. One of
the most conservative, substantial and progressive business houses of
Wilmington is the firm of Hall & Pearsall, wholesale grocers and
commission
merchants, 11 and 13 South Water street. The members of the firm are
Messrs. B. F. Hall and Oscar Pearsall, both of whom are natives of
Duplin county. Mr Hall, the senior member of the firm, is a well
preserved man in the forties perhaps, and has been doing business in
Wilmington since 1869. He has been identified first and last with the
progress of the city. He has been connected with the Chamber of
Commerce and Produce Exchange as one of its officers, and is at present
a director of the First National Bank of Wilmington, and is also a
member of the board of directors of the Wilmington Seacoast
Railroad. He is also identified with other enterprises in one way
or another, and is a liberal patron of the deserving institutions of
the city.
Mr Oscar Pearsall, the junior member of the firm, is a middle aged
man, and is one of the city's sound business men and influential
citizens. Besides his general connection with various enterprises
in the city, he is a member of the Board of Aldermen and chairman of
the Committee on Streets and Wharves, and of the Sanitary
Committee. As chairman of the former committee, he has done great
service for the city in the way of improving our streets and prompltly
attending to their repair. Mr Pearsall has been connected since
1869 with his present partner, first as a salesman and buyer in the
house of Edwards & Hall and since 1876 as a partner of the present
firm to which he was admitted just previous to the death of Mr Edwards
the former partner.
THE STOCK CARRIED
by Messrs. Hall & Pearsall is large and full at all seasons,
consisting of meat, molasses, flour, sugar, coffees, salt, all kinds of
groceries, fertilizers, etc., etc.
The firm does an exclusive wholesale business, and has its patrons far
and near. The building which they occupy at Nos. 11 and 13 South Water
street, is a two-story brick structure, and both stories are packed
from bottom to top with merchandise. The store-room proper is forty
feet in width and eighty in depth, and on the second story is a room
the same size. On the first floor the general stock is carried, and
here also are the business offices and the receiving and shipping
departments. The second story is used for storing peanuts, bagging,
etc. Notwithstanding the large storerooms mentioned, the house is
so cramped for room that two warerooms across the alley are used for
meat and heavy groceries.
In addition to these storerooms there are two large warehouses on the
waterfront which are used for storing salt, molasses and other heavy
groceries and fertilizers. One of these warehouses is probably the
largest merchandise warehouse in the city, being one hundred feet in
width by one hundred and fifty feet in length, and having a wharf front
of two hundred feet. The other warehouse is situated on the wharf in
front of the store and is thirty by seventy feet, having a wharf front
of 140 feet. Both of these warehouses are crowded with goods, and
still there is not room enough to carry the large stock which this
house has to carry to accomodate a large and growing trade.
THE COMMISSION BUSINESS
of the house is done in cotton, naval stores, peanuts and other country
produce, and for the transaction of this business the firm has the most
complete facilities besides having a wharf front of nearly 300 feet at
their warehouses, their yard for handling naval stores is situated at
Point Peter, where they have a frontage of about 1,000 feet on the Cape
Fear and Northeast rivers. The yard for naval stores also
comprises about six acres on which there are capacious sheds and other
facilities for handling consignments of naval stores on the largest
scale.
THE GROWTH OF THE BUSINESS
The growth of the business of Messrs. Hall & Pearsall has been
steady and uniform since the establishment of their
copartnership. Their trade extends over a wide territory in North
and South Carolina, and is growing in both States.
They also run a line of schooners for the coasting trade, dealing
principally with Onslow county. The schooners make regular trips,
bringing in country produce and taking out merchandise for the large
trade the house has in the territory there is opened up.
AND FINALLY
The firm has two drummers, Messrs. J. W. MacRae, formerly of Maxton,
and Mr J. C. Cox, formerly of Kenansville, who look after the out of
town trade. Mr W. J. Toomer is the manager of the commision
business, Mr T. M. Dobson is shipping clerk, Mr B. F. King is
the cashier, Mr R. W. Price is the bookkeeper and Mr Andrew J. Howell
is the stenographer of the house. Next to owning the building at Nos.
11 and 13 South Water street and the valuable warehouses and water
fronts mentioned, the firm is fortunate in having such a corps of
capable and business like assistants. With their facilities, superior
business methods and ample capital, the firm
of Hall & Pearsall takes a leading place in the commercial ranks of
our city and is one of the business houses of which Wilmington has
cause to be proud.
The Wilmington Messenger April
22, 1900
His Resignation as Commander of State's Naval Reserves Tendered and
Accepted. A special dispatch to The Messenger last night from our
correspondent at Raleigh, stated that Governor Russell had received the
resignation of Geo. L. Morton, as commander of the naval reserve
brigade of this state and that the resignation had been accepted. The
reason given by Commander Morton for his resignation was pressure of
private business.
Wilmington Dispatch February 18,
1904
Fire early last night destroyed property of Hall & Pearsall and the
George L. Morton Company, on the waterfront, valued at about $25,000,
almost fully covered by insurance. At one time it appeared that
the fire would spread to
other valuable property in that section of the city, but by hard
fighting the fire department succeeded in controlling the flames and
confining them to a comparatively small area. The Seaboard Air Line
warehouses on the north and Hall & Pearsall's large "Water-Land
Warehouse" on the south narrowly escaped burning. The fire was
discovered at 7:30 o'clock by Night Watchman A.C. Bielet. The
department responded to the alarm from box 41 at Nutt and Brunswick
streets. The fire started on the north side of Hall & Pearsall’s
small warehouse. The building was soon in flames. In it were stowed
spirits of turpentine, molasses, hay, vinegar, etc., cotton seed, meal,
cotton and a few other kinds of heavy goods. Two explosions scattered
the debris and the fire broke out in several places at the same time.
The naval stores yard of the George L. Morton Co. were soon in flames
and about 500 barrels of tar and crude turpentine together with 300
empty tar barrels were burned. The company also lost 75 casks of
spirits in the warehouse. The firemen fought the flames from the land
and from the river. Two engines and several streams from hydrants were
used on the land side and the tug MARION and a fire engine on a flat,
which was towed by the MARION, kept several streams playing on the fire
from the river. One of the engines on land came near being caught by
the flames but the firemen, by brave work succeeded in saving it with
little damage. The fire was under control in two hours. On account of
the poor location of hydrants the firemen were at a great disadvantage
in fighting the flames. The fire is thought to have been started by
wood cutters who were at work there yesterday and left without putting
out the fire which they built to keep warm.
The Evening Dispatch,
Wilmington, NC Saturday, March 19, 1910 Volume Fifteen
COL. MORTON SOUTHERN MGR.
Given Big Promotion by the Galena Co.
Is to Have Charge of the Entire Southern Territory and Is in Line for
an Executive Office—Will Remove to Atlanta—He Retires From the Race for
the Legislature—Political Pot is Now Boiling Fast and Furiously.
In recognition of able service Col. George L. Morton, of this city, has
just been given one of the most important positions with the Galena
Signal Oil Company, and which well deserved promotion places him in
line for an executive office with the big concern.
He has been named as Southern Manager of the Galena Company, and this
means something big, as his field will cover the entire South, taking
in points from Cincinnati to and including New Orleans, La. The only
regrettable part about promotion is the fact that it will carry Col.
Morton and family away from Wilmington, as while Wilmington will still
be in the Southern territory and hence under the direction of Col.
Morton, he will have to remove his headquarters, so as to be centrally
located. Hence, he will within the next month or two remove his
residence from here to Atlanta, Ga. This was stated to a Dispatch
man this afternoon about 3 o’clock, Col. Morton arrived home
early this afternoon, via the Seaboard and was seen then by The
Dispatch man. He of course, regrets to leave Wilmington, which
has many times honored him with office, and it must be frankly admitted
honored him, too, when the odds seemed greatly against him, but which
made the honor all the greater.
He has time and time again represented New Hanover county in the
legislative halls of North Carolina and he was considered the strongest
candidate in the race this time, and that, too, after having declined
to run, but being brought out by a big petition by his friends, and
without his knowledge. Of course, Col. Morton states he will now
withdraw from the race, and will prepare a card to this effect, and
which will express his regret and his warm thanks to his many friends.
The many friends of Col. and Mrs. Morton will regret deeply to see them
leave Wilmington. Col. Morton has been a thorough Wilmingtonian
and while his ideas did not always agree with many people’s, yet one
could always place him. He was always frank and to the point.
The retirement of Col. Morton will bring about a new boiling in the
political pot, because many of those who aspired to the legislature
were afraid to run against him. At present only Joseph W. Little, Esq.,
who has faithfully stuck to his candidacy and has been fighting hard,
is in the race, but there are several more talked of. Friends of
Woodus Kellum, Esq., a popular and splendid young lawyer, stated this
afternoon that he would be in the race, though Mr Kellum has made no
definite announcement. Friends are also urging L. Clayton Grant, Esq.,
to run.
[Garbage line of newsprint] is also known now positively that
ex-Alderman T. W. Wood is going to run for county commissioner.
Mr Wood stated such to a Dispatch man this morning when asked about
it. Mr Wood will make a strong run, as he made a good alderman
and was foremost and in the thickest of the fight for municipal
ownership of the waterworks.
