Fire in Corinth

Thursday evening about half past five o'clock the office of the Corinth Messenger was discovered to be on fire. The alarm was quickly given and soon a large crowd had gathered, but the inflammable material burned like tinder.  The fire quickly spread to adjoining buildings; Dr. Simmon's residence on the south and Alcoke's store on the north side were both consumed.  Heroic work was done by both the men and women and the contents of Dr. Simmons' house were saved without much damage.  It required the constant attention of the fire brigade to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings, the depot being several times on fire, it getting so hot that Mr. Shaw, the operator, tore out his instruments and left the building.

The only insurance on the burnt property was $400 on the residence of Dr. Simmons, insured by W. G. O'Hara in the Fire Association of Philadelphia, and $500 on Alcokes store by Wigginton and Webb in the Underwriters Agency, New York.

from the Williamstown Courier, February 24, 1898