1/09/1908
NEW FIREHOUSE ALMOST DONE. The Paulsboro Fire Co. has their new firehouse enclosed and almost finished. It is a credit to the town and the members. The new firehouse will be opened on February 21 st , when a big time will be held. At this time the Junior Mechanics will present the company with a flag. It is expected a large street parade will be held.

2/06/1908
FIREMEN PREPARE FOR PARADE. The busiest people in town now are the Paulsboro firemen. They are preparing for a big time on the 21 st . Present indications point to a large street parade and fire companies from all over are expected to be present. It is expected that 2 or 3 of the secret organizations of the town will turnout and join with the firemen. The firemen will have their first annual ball in the new firehouse on the 21 st . A good time is promised for all that attend. The firemen will have new uniforms in time for the parade in Pitman on the 22 nd . They are going over about 50 strong and will also take over their hook and ladder. The firemen are having I.G. Cox varnish their hook and ladder truck so that on the day of the housing it will look its best. Chief Lamson says that his company will be one of the largest in line and he expects them to make a good showing for a newly organized company.

2/21/1908
PAULSBORO DEDICATES NEW FIREHOUSE. The ball given by the Paulsboro Volunteer Fire Co. in their new firehouse was the largest gathering that was ever held here on an occasion of this kind. The firehouse was filled by nearly 300 people, while 50 couples were on the floor at the same time. Visitors in attendance were from Philadelphia, Wilmington, Patterson, Camden, Chester, and other South Jersey towns, while several fire companies were represented by their chiefs, who were entertained by the Paulsboro chief, W. Harry Lamson. The firehouse was draped with flags. On the walls was a big flag that floats above Independence Hall, on loan from Samuel Reeves, Superintendent of the State House. Another flag was donated by the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the old Democratic flag that has seen 30 years of service. The committee that charge of the affair consisted of Joseph Paul, Charles Pounds, James Huff, Gill Hannold, J. Paul Miller and W. Lamson. All the members of the Fire Co assisted them. The order was of the finest and everyone seemed to have enjoyed him or herself. At lunch time, Benjamin Paul, president of the association, with his body guard, John Lodge, was on hand, and soon cut the cakes and served the cream to the guests in a fashion that is seldom witnessed outside of New York City. They also know how to furnish more spoons when the first supply has been exhausted. Prof. Samuel Johnson took down the house by dancing a jig on the wind up. The Fire Company's treasury has been increased by nearly $100. With many thanks to all, they have been requested to give another ball and may do so later.

5/22/1908
LADIES FORMED TO HELP FIREMEN. The Paulsboro Fire Co. held a regular meeting and made arrangements for the upcoming fair. A meeting of all interested will be held on June 9 th , in Cowgill's hall, at 8 o'clock. Ladies auxiliary will be formed to help the firemen with their troubles of big eats, hard work, and raising money. So do not fail to come. If you find that you cannot attend at that time, send in your name.

6/25/1908
LIGHTNING STRIKE HOME. At 6:30 PM, lightning struck the home of John Fry, near Billingsport

7/04/1908
FIRE CO. WINS PRIZE. The Paulsboro Fire Co., with the truck in the hands of Samuel Wilkins and Leon Lamson won the 2 nd place award in the recent July 4 th parade. They were well deserving of the prize. A notice from the Borough Council was sent to the firemen that hereafter one hose cart will be kept in the firehouse, while the other one will be kept in Cox's warehouse. The wagon will also be kept in the firehouse.

7/23/1908
THE COUNTY LOSES BY FIRE. About 10 o'clock Monday night, the big barn on the Gloucester County farm, between Paulsboro and Clarksboro, was destroyed by fire. The origin of the fire is a mystery, but is believed to be of spontaneous combustion. When fire was discovered, the building was a seething mass of flames, which no amount of fire fighting apparatus could have subdued. All that could be done by the large fire fighting force that was assembled was to prevent the flames from spreading to the adjoining buildings. Paulsboro, Clarksboro, Mt. Royal and Woodbury responded with their hook and ladders, hose carriages and firemen. While the flames were at their height, the adjoining farm buildings frequently took fire, but were promptly extinguished. The reflection of the flames lighted the county for miles around, and people in automobiles went to the scene of the destruction. The barn contained two horses, a pony, 40 tons of hay, 300 bushels of wheat, harnesses and other farm implements. Mr. Ridgeway and family had not retired when the fire broke out. Mr. Ridgeway had been out and about the buildings only a short time before the fire was discovered and detected no odor of fire. This leads to the conviction that spontaneous combustion was the cause. The barn was burned in1884, when Hiram Jones was the steward. The origin of that fire is still a mystery. The suggestion is now made that a concrete barn be built, with an iron roof. A special meeting of the Board of Freeholders will be held to arrange for the rebuilding of the barn on Monday, in Clarksboro.

7/30/1908
SMALL FIRE AT PHOSPHATE PLANT. About 10 PM, the whole town was aroused by the whistle of the I. P. Thomas Co.'s fertilizer plant, at Mantua Point, which sounded quite awhile as fire had been discovered in the crab drying house. The fire was quickly gotten under control. Both fire companies were soon on the scene and ready.

9/17/1908
FIREPLUGS CHECKED. The Water Company has had their engineer open all the fireplugs and have them in first class condition in case of fire. Now if the citizens would either cut or pull out the weeds around them, especially on the main street, the firemen will soon get on the job in case of fire.

9/25/1908
SMALL COTTAGE NEAR RIVER ON FIRE. About 9 o'clock the town was thrown into a state of excitement by the ringing of the fire bells. It was learned that John Middleton's cottage, which is located near the riverfront, was on fire. The Billingsport Co. made a record run to the fire, but as the structure was a small one, the fire had gained such headway that nothing could be done to save it. The firemen worked hard to keep the fire from spreading to the adjoining houses. Mr. Middleton was in bed when the fire started and was rescued by James Carey, who broke the door open and rushed in through the smoke, at the risk of his own life, and pulled Mr. Middleton out. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is thought that a lamp exploded. The Paulsboro Fire Co. was on their way to the fire but got stuck at Robert Stetser's hill and returned home.

9/27/1908
BUILDING COMMITTEE AND FAIR NAMED. The Paulsboro Fire Co. held their quarterly meeting and appointed a committee to hold a ball and a fair in the near future. A committee of five was appointed to look after the Fire Company's property. The building committee was instructed to proceed to finish the building and lay a concrete walk in front; place a lamp in front of the building, until such time the gas lamp will be placed there, and to authorize the installation of a telephone in the firehouse. All members are notified to wear their caps on meeting nights, which will have a tendency to let your wives know where you intend on spending the evening. During the meeting Clark's Hall, in Clarksboro, was discovered on fire. The Paulsboro Fire Co. was sent for and Chief Harry Lamson soon had a squad of firemen ready to go, when another telephone message was received and said that the fire had been extinguished.

12/11/1908
MEETING TO BE HELD. All the firemen are requested to come out to the meeting tonight as it is time to nominate officers for the following year. Don't stay home, and then growl, for a whole year because the man elected does not suit you. Some recommend a change and it may be for the best, as the present officers have given a great deal of their time to the Company's interest, and deserve a rest.

1/14/1909
FIRE MARSHAL'S APPOINTED. The mayor appointed as Fire Marshall's, Ben Paul, W. Scott Thomson, Charles Salisbury, Cooper Thompson, Paul Ireland and James Hurff. Ben Paul has been appointed to head a committee to obtain a telephone for the firehouse.

1/28/1909
FIRE BELL MOVED. The Paulsboro Fire Co. has begun to make preparations to hold their 2 nd annual ball on Washington's Birthday. The fire bell has been moved from Armstrong's stable to the firehouse. Other alarms will be placed throughout the borough and telephones will be placed in both firehouses. The ladies auxiliary gave the firemen a supper last week in the firehouse.

2/16/1909
ANOTHER FIRE CO. There is talk of another fire co. being formed here. What is the use of anybody doing this when we have the two of the best-equipped fire companies in South Jersey? We are told the new Fire Company will erect a building near the railroad.

5/03/1909
ST. JAMES CHURCH, THREE OTHER BUILDINGS BURN. (See Large Article Section)

5/09/1909
I. G. COX ON FIRE. This morning around 4:30, milkman Brown discovered the barn of I. G. Cox & Bro. on fire and gave the alarm. George Thompson and Walter Cox were the first to get there and saved one horse and three wagons belonging to Mr. Thompson. The Paulsboro and Billingsport fire companies responded and put the fire out after a half-hour's hard work. The loss was about $4000. A small barn of B. Furry was burnt and the barn of W. Gill was partly burned. At first it was thought that a man was in the Cox barn and was burned up. But this was a mistake. A small pony of Cox's was burned up. Had the wind been the other way, the factory of Cox's would have been destroyed.

5/11/1909
COUNCIL LOOKS INTO FIRES. During a Council meeting, Dr. Pounds made a motion that a committee of three is appointed to ascertain the cause of the last two fires. The character of the water supply, and efficiency of the fire companies and their needs. The said committee shall be empowered to procure and act upon the results of their investigation with the full consent of Council. Mayor Adamson appointed councilmen Stines, Pounds, and Stiles.

5/27/1909
FIRE CO. TO HOLD FESTIVAL, BILLINGSPORT GOES BLUE. The Paulsboro Fire Co. will hold a “Strawberry Festival” on Saturday June 19 th . The Paulsboro Fife and Drum Corps will provide the music. Also, the members of Billingsport were painting things blue around their firehouse. The hose couplings, lanterns, and in fact everything they own was given a coat of blue paint. At one of the recent fires they lost 150 feet of hose and now have adopted a color for their own belongings.

6/08/1909
COUNCIL GIVES REPORT ON FIRES. The Council committee on the recent fires gave this report: “That after a careful investigation, we find that the fire of Leonard Pratz was started by the boiling over of a roofing compound, and the fire at Cox's was of some unknown person sleeping in the barn. That we examined the Water Company and tested their pressure and found it of the best. That we inquired of the Paulsboro Fire Co. as to their needs and find they need 300 feet of fire hose and Billingsport needs a wagon to carry their hose “.

8/16/1909
FIREMAN READY. Say, where was the Paulsboro firemen Friday night when the alarm was sounded? It goes a little hard with a few people to get out of bed before 8 o'clock in the morning, doesn't it! One of our “brave” firefighters, who was out of town when the alarm was given, and who just purchased a new uniform, was told about the false alarm when he arrived home. He went upstairs, put on his uniform, and went down to the firehouse and was about to ring the bell again to get people out so they could see his new uniform. He then saw his own shadow, which frightened himself so much that his hair has been standing straight up ever since.

8/24/1909
HOSE WAGON BOUGHT. A motion was past at the Council meeting to have 300 feet of fire hose purchased for the Paulsboro Fire Co. at 60 cents a foot, and to also purchase a hose wagon for the Billingsport Fire Co., with full compliments of tools, with ladders attached, for the price of $280.

9/06/1909
TWO BIG FIRES IN PAULSBORO. Paulsboro had its usual amount of excitement for Sunday when two big fires were raging yesterday. Fire was discovered in the woods on the Peachin farm along the Mantua Creek. After a hard fight, the flames were subdued and the firefighters returned home. At 3 o'clock, the flames broke out again and spread so rapid that the entire woods were burned down before the flames could be checked. During the intermission before the morning and afternoon fires in the woods, Ray Springer discovered the dry grass on the Syndicate Tract ablaze and soon had a large force of fighters at work with shovels and sand, and although the entire field was burned over, several houses in the path of the flames were saved. Congressman Loudenslager's home was one of those that were saved. An investigation is being made into the origin of the flames, which were started in a mysterious manner. Smoke covered the land for miles.

11/06/1909
BILLINGSPORT HOUSES NEW APPARATUS. The BVFA housed their new combination foam and hose wagon. A parade was held with Mayor Adamson leading the fife and drum corps. The company had been using a hand drawn hose reel since 1905.

11/08/1909
LUMBER YARD FIRE IN MT. ROYAL. About 3:45 this morning, Fire Chief Lamson received word from Mt. Royal that Green's Lumber Yard was on fire, and was asking for the Paulsboro Fire Co.'s assistance. The chief sounded the alarm and it wasn't long before the road that leads to that little village was black with people, the Fire Company leading the way. Our company was a little handicapped, as there were no fireplugs. Their pump, which is never used here, was pressed into service and the water flew. The Paulsboro firemen deserve a great deal of credit for the good work they did. They stand ready to go to the aid of out of town firemen.

11/12/1909
FAIR AND CARDS. The Paulsboro Fire Co. held a meeting in the firehouse to discuss the advisability of holding a fair soon to help pay for expenses related to the firehouse. Now that the elections were over the members were encouraged to come out. The members are making good use of their firehouse these evenings as pinochle is heartily indulged in.

12/09/1909
POST OFFICE ON FIRE . (See Large Article Section)

2/07/1910
SCHOONER ON FIRE. The Schooner “William Postules”, laden with 35 tons of salt hay, and consigned to Wilmer Shuster, took fire at the wharf here during the morning. The cause was an overheated stove. Both fire companies responded promptly, and the boat was towed midstream and sunk, saving the hull. Miller's lumberyard was threatened, but the good work of the firefighters averted that.

6/03/1910
HOME ALONG RIVERFRONT CATCHE FIRE. Around 9:30 PM, fire was discovered in one of the houses of the Peter Verga estate, now occupied by Harry Schahour, a wholesale liquor dealer from Philadelphia. Albert Schwager, who conducts a grocery store about 100 yards from the place, had retired to his bed when he heard the crackling of flames and, quickly dressing, gave the fire alarm. Both fire companies were soon on the scene and with the help of several men and boys soon had the fire under control, and probably saved several other houses which were in danger. This house was built in 1860, and is the first one that stood along the shore and had lately been repaired and refurbished. A large bonfire was seen burning on the shore in the early evening and it is supposed that the sparks swept under the front porch.

7/16/1910
TWO FIRES, HOTEL AND FARMHOUSE. During an electrical storm that was passing over this section, a farmhouse on the Loder property was struck by lightning and caught fire. The fire companies responded promptly but the fire had been extinguished by a bucket brigade.
The men were just returning home when another alarm was sent out, that lightning had struck the tower of the Lincoln Park Hotel and caused it to catch fire. The fire companies appeared on the scene in six minutes, after receiving the alarm, and had a stream of water on the burning building. They fought the fire until the early hours on Sunday morning before they had the fire under control. The hose was left attached to the fire plug and around 4:45 Sunday morning they were again called to help put out a blaze which had broken out on the second floor, but was only a short time doing so. Joseph McCleary, a nearby neighbor, who immediately gave the fire alarm, discovered the fire. The fire companies responded promptly with their apparatus and much praise is due them as they saved what might have been one of the largest fires Paulsboro ever had.

7/23/1910
FIRE IN DINER. Our town was thrown into a great state of excitement about 9:30 yesterday morning by the ringing of the fire bell. Both companies responded promptly to the fire, which was in the rear of Earle Simpson's restraurant. An exploding gasoline stove caused the fire. Very little damage was done. John Thompson, who was nearby when the fire started, rushed into the place and carried the stove out.

8/25/1910
HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE. The house occupied by Harry Kates was damaged by fire. The residents of the Third Ward were aroused from their peaceful slumbers, shortly before 4 o'clock in the morning, by the ringing of the fire alarms in that ward. The fire was found to be at Harry Kate's residence on N. Delaware St., and was caused when Harry attempted to light the gasoline stove, which exploded. He tried toe extinguish the flames but his efforts were in vain. He ran to the Billingsport firehouse and sounded the alarm. Within five minutes after their arrival on the scene, the firemen had two streams on the blaze and after an hour's work they succeeded in subduing the flames. The fire started in the kitchen, in the rear of the house, which suffered the worst damage. The house is owned by Daniel Davis and will be repaired immediately.

10/20/1910
CLOTHES FIRE. A slight fire occurred at the home of David Sigars on Friday night. It is supposed that part of a match flew into a basket of clothes. Loss is estimated at $40. Both fire companies responded.

11/17/1910
GRASS FIRE. A spark from a midnight train set fire to the grass behind David Hickman's property on Saturday.

12/22/1910
WOODBURY NEEDS FIRE TRUCK. Woodbury sent for Paulsboro's apparatus pump on Monday morning to help with the big school fire. They were wired back that council would have to meet to let them have it.

1/28/1911
OYSTER SUPPER HELD. The Paulsboro Fire Co. held an oyster supper at their firehouse and netted $50. About 200 were served. A concert of vocal and instrumental was furnished by a Victor Talking Machine during the evening.

2/10/1911
LADIES AUX. ORGANIZES. A Ladies Auxiliary of the PVFA #1 will be organized in the firehouse tonight.

3/30/1911
GRASS FIRE. A fire, which swept for nearly a mile on the Syndicate Tract, on Friday, called out both Fire Co.'s.

7/04/1911
TWO FIRES. A slight fire in Joe Bailey's gasoline house caused quite a scare here this morning.
Also, Horace Polis's house was burned with all its contents, including some valuable firearms, clothing and other things. Mr. Polis was asleep in a hammock not far away, but when the crackling awakened him, the house was already doomed.

7/31/1911
GILL'S HOUSE ON FIRE. The town was thrown into great excitement when it was reported that the house on Postmaster Gill's farm was on fire. The fire companies responded within a few minutes, and after reaching the scene, it was learned that it was only a brush heap. The hook and ladder was fastened to the rear of Austin Adamson's automobile and taken to the scene. It was safe to say that it was the quickest the wagon has ever been taken to the scene of a fire. It is learned that this is the only way to pull fire wagons around.

9/14/1911
FIREHOUSE HAS WEEDS. The potato crop is surely a failure, but the mosquito crop is not. At the Paulsboro firehouse the weeds have grown so tall that the mosquitoes are able to even ring the bell. Charles Fish, who lives next door, had the experience of being carried out of bed one night last week by them. The next morning he arose early and had the weeds cut down and now soundly sleeps.

12/14/1911
FIREMAN'S FAIR. The Paulsboro Fire Co. held a fireman's fair at the firehouse last week. A good supper and many articles were for sale each night. The fireman cleared $200. An oyster and chicken salad supper will be held on Friday, at 50 cents per person.

1/06/1912
FIREMEN FIGHT FOUR FIRES. Our little town was kept in excitement all day. About 9:30 a.m. an alarm was sounded for fire in one of Hoffman's houses on the Loder farm. Both companies responded and within 30 minutes the fire was under control. Loss was about $100. Shortly after the companies had returned to their firehouses, a fire broke out in the cellar of the home of Robert Gibbs on North Delaware Street. Persons thawing out water pipes caused these two fires. At 1 p.m. an alarm was sounded, and upon investigation was found to be at the tenant house in Lincoln Park, occupied by George Morgan. At the time of the fire two of Mr. Morgan's sisters were home and while one tried to put out the fire, which was gaining rapid headway about the chimney, the other rang the alarm. Both companies again responded and worked with extinguishers until the fire hose could be coupled together and water gotten. The loss will be close to $100. There was a slight fire in the pulp house at the powder works also. Fires are coming at a combination nowadays. About a year ago a fire occurred at both Lincoln Park and the Loder farm both within a few hours of each other.

3/24/1912
HOUSE ON FIRE. There was excitement in the early morning by the ringing of the fire alarms. Upon investigation, it was found that there was a fire in the barn and house of Matthew Johnson, who died several months ago. Both fire companies responded but it was too far-gone to save. The origin of fire is not known, but it is believed to have been deliberately set. The property takes in a half square on Chestnut Street.

4/04/1912
SMALL FIRE DURING STORM. A fire alarm was sounded Tuesday evening during the thunderstorm and upon investigation it was found to at the home of James Milstead. The fire was out before the fire companies arrived.

10/04/1912
FIRE IN DR. BLACK'S BARN. The fire department was called out at 3 p.m. to put out a fire in Dr. Black's barn. A pile of straw and dry manure caught fire against the barn. No one knows how the fire started, but someone saw the smoke and quick work on the part of the neighbors saved a horse and put out the fire. The weatherboards were burned through in some places.

11/09/1912
FALSE ALARM CAUSE PANIC AT MOVIE HOUSE. Some mischievous person yelled “fire” at the Bailey Opera House and threw 500 people into a panic. The film was showing where several buildings were burning up and it is believed some thoughtless boy called fire and started the crowd going. No one was hurt and the good work of Officer Isaac Vanneman was creditable.

1/061913
TWO FIRES. A slight fire occurred in one of the boathouses, when a dog knocked over a lighted oil stove. Both fire companies were called out.
The burning off of the meadows across the creek caused a great scare in town.

1/09/1913
HOSE REEL PLACEMENT. At the urging of the public safety committee, one reel of hose was placed at Cox's blacksmith shop as several citizens thought that some hose should be left in that part of town.

1/30/1913
GROCERY STORE FIRE. A slight fire occurred at Al Jones's grocery store last Friday morning, when a spark from the stove flew into a box of paper and ignited.

2/20/1913
FIRE IN BAILEY'S STORE. A slight fire occurred in Bailey's feed storeroom on Tuesday afternoon when sparks from the exhaust pipe set fire to some hay.

5/12/1913
BARN AND CONTENTS DESTROYED. The barn of Lewis Hummell was burned to the ground. Two horses were rescued but the other contents of the barn, including a wagon, were destroyed. The fire occurred just as the children were going to Sunday school and there was considerable excitement for a time.

7/30/1913
LAMP SETS FIRE IN SMEDLEY HOUSE. As Jacob Pote was returning home from church, he discovered that the home of H. B. Smedley was on fire. The Smedley's had gone out for the evening and left an oil light burning on the office desk. A book fell over upsetting the lamp, which at once set fire to several papers. The door being locked, Mr. Pote was compelled to break in through the door, and with the help of several neighbors, quickly extinguished the blaze. The fire companies responded but were not put into action.

8/03/1913
BARN BURNED TO GROUND. The barn on the old Jenkin's farm, now owned by Jacob Hoffman, burned to the ground. There was nothing left in the form of value. Both fire companies were sent for but the building was about gone when they arrived. The cause of the fire is a mystery. The glare of the flames could be seen in Woodbury.

10/31/1913
LADIES GIVE HALLOWEEN PARTY. About 300 people attended the Halloween Party, given by the Ladies Auxiliary, in the Paulsboro Firehouse. The greatest novelty was Miss Mollie Turner and Miss Ruth Kocher who were dressed as cannon firecrackers. The firehouse was decorated with cats, owls, pumpkins, and lanterns. Two rows of skeletons lined the entrance to the room All listened to a ghost story told by Mrs. Lyman Titus.

12/18/1913
FALSE ALARM. A fire alarm was turned in on Saturday afternoon from the gas plant, but it was just a brush pile that was burning.

2/20/1914
SMALL FIRE IN HOUSE. A fire of unknown origin started in the hallway of Arthur Segal's home on Delaware Street around noon Friday. It was quickly extinguished. The loss is around $200.

6/11/1914
FIRE AT LINCOLN PARK. Mischievous boys set fire to the old tower at Lincoln Park. The entire tower and boardwalk were destroyed.

7/25/1914
GAS AND STORE FIRE. About 9:30 p.m. a fire alarm was turned in and upon investigation it was found to be along the riverfront at Al Jones's grocery store. Someone was attempting to draw gasoline from the tank, which is a few feet away from the store, when all at once the entire building burst into flames. About 600 gallons of oil and gasoline were consumed along with several small buildings. Both fire companies were able to get a stream of hose on the fire.

7/27/1914
FARM FIRE. On Monday night lightning destroyed the large barn on the Walter Stanton farm, formerly known as the Mulberry or Reeves farm, near Paulsboro and Gibbstown, now occupied by Henry Bundens. Through heroic efforts, the stock was saved. William Bundens, a son, was severely burned and required the services of a doctor. A pair of fine gray horses was severely burned before they were gotten out. All hay, grain, harnesses, and farm machinery were consumed in the fire. The barn was partly insured, but the implements were not. The loss is about $1200. The lightning bolt seemingly struck the southeast corner, and in less than ten minutes the whole building was a mass of flames. Citizens of nearby towns responded through a drenching rain, but were too late to be of much service, other than to save other buildings. This is the fourth barn to be destroyed by fire in the past twenty years on this farm. Once in 1895, when occupied by the late John Sommer, once in 1899, occupied by Elwood McGinnis, with all a total loss; once in 1901, occupied by the late Joseph Norten, total loss; and now in 1914. In 1909 Mr. Stanton bought this farm from a man in Woodbury. The Stanton farm fire could be seen from Paulsboro. Both Paulsboro fire companies responded.

11/26/1914
FIRE AT GAS PLANT. A spark from a train set fire to the tar pit at the gas plant. The fire companies were called but did not go into action.

12/03/1914
RUBBISH FIRE. A fire broke out in a rubbish pile on the syndicate tract on Friday and caused a great deal of excitement among the residents of Delaware Street.

12/29/1914
BARN, WORKSHOP AND CAR LOST IN FIRE. A fire, the origin of which is not known, and probably never will be, destroyed the barn and small workshop of Freeholder C. C. Thomson at 6:30 on Tuesday morning. The building was occupied by Charles Simpson who has an auto express route between here and Philadelphia, and the George Dunlap Company, who use it to their wagons and horses in. The greatest loss will be that of Mr. Simpson who had a large express car destroyed with a value of $2500, and a new Ford touring car worth about $450. The large car was insured for two-thirds of its value, while the other is a total loss. Several packages, including a dressed turkey, were lost in the fire. The Dunlap Company had a horse, two wagons and a small push cart in the barn at the time, but Alfred Weeks, who was one of the early arrivals, managed to get the horse out but not before it had been burned severely. It is believed that the horse will die as it is supposed it inhaled the fire. Cooper Thomson, the owner of the barn, suffered but little financial loss as he had $500 insurance on the building. Clinton Kircher who is a chauffeur for Simpson, and who came to get the car out discovered the fire. He at once notified Michael Connelly, a neighbor, who then turned in the alarm to which both fire companies responded and did good work. Mr. Thomson wishes to thank the fire companies and all that aided at the fire on Tuesday morning.