Loss in Fire in Brenner-Penny Department Store Estimated at $250,000, Nov. 13, 1926

Fires Causes Much Damage to Stores in Hendersonville. . . Fire Which Started in a Store Basement Caused Loss Now Estimated at $250,000. . . Asheville Sent Eight Firemen. . . Fire Was Under Control at 3 O’clock but Broke Out Afresh Shortly After That Time

Hendersonville, N.C., Nov. 13 (AP)—Fire which started shortly after midnight in the basement of the Brenner-Penny department store on Main Street here was brought under control shortly after 7 o’clock this morning after the store’s stock was totally destroyed and the stocks of two adjoining stores badly damaged. The loss is estimated at $250,000.

Only the heroic work of the city’s firemen, augmented by Chief A. L. Duckett with eight men and pumper from Asheville, saved several other buildings nearby from the flames.

Lodgers in the apartments above the Hunter Drug Company were routed from their beds in time to escape, but two who were overcome by the smoke had to be carried out by firemen.

The fire is said to have started in the basement of the department store, a long two-story structure. It was burning briskly when the fire alarm was turned in.

Shortly before 3 o’clock, however, the flames were brought under control.

Hardly had the Asheville fire unit arrived when the blaze broke out afresh. It was in this second outbreak that the greater part of the damage was done.

The loss of the stock of the department store, owned by W. F. Penny and N. Brenner, was estimated today at $130,000.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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Flames Destroy Smithfield City Hall Nov. 12, 1926

Flames Destroy Smithfield City Hall in Night

Greensboro, Nov. 12—Fire at 2 o’clock this morning practically destroyed the town hall at Smithfield, Johnston County, with a loss of about $14,000. Watson Wharton of Smithfield, here today, told of the fire.

The blaze, when discovered, was eating its way through the auditorium in the building and had made such headway that firemen could not save the structure. A call was sent to Selma, five miles distant, for fire fighters to aid the local firemen, and the Selma trucks made the distance in seven minutes.

It is supposed that the fire started from a cigarette stub dropped in trash in the auditorium. A boxing festival was held in the auditorium last night.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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Q.L. Sharpe, 53, Killed in Auto Collision Nov. 12, 1926

Iredell County Man Killed in Accident

Statesville, Nov. 12—An automobile collision three miles north of Statesville on the Wilkesboro road this morning about 9 o’clock resulted in the death of Quncey L. Sharpe, Iredell farmer, aged 53, and minor injuries for two other occupants of the car. Mr. Sharpe and his son were coming toward Statesville, the son driving a Ford touring car. They met a Chevrolet coupe on a sharp curve going north, driven by R. A. Lowry, salesman for the local wholesale grocery concern. Both cars were almost demolished.

Mr. Sharpe was thrown through the windshield of his Ford and his mangled body landed on an embankment. His death followed a few minutes later. Mr. Lowry was brought to Doctor Long’s sanatorium, where an examination revealed that his scalp was lacerated and one rib had been fractured. No serious developments are anticipated in his case. James Sharpe, son of the dead man, received a number of cuts and bruises but was able to return home later.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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J.D. Langston Chair of State Board of Elections; J.T. Prevette Member of Same Board, Nov. 13, 1926

J. D. Langston Heads Board of Elections. . . J. T. Prevette of North Wilkesboro is Appointed a Member to Succeed J. Clarence Call

Raleigh, Nov. 12—Col. John D. Langston of Goldsboro was appointed chairman of the state board of elections Friday morning by Governor McLean to succeed Judge Walter H. Nel of Laurinburg. Judge Neal resigned recently on account of ill health.

Governor McLean also announced the appointment of J. T. Prevette of North Wilkesboro to the state board of elections to succeed J. Clarence Call of North Wilkesboro, who resigned.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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Charles White Returns to Charlotte to Face Bigamy Charge, Nov. 13, 1926

Bigamy Charge Silly Declares C. B. White

Charlotte, Nov. 12—Charles B. White, Charlotte architect, today was returned here from Jackson, Miss., to face trial on a charge of bigamy.

White is alleged to have skipped a $3,000 bond in the bigamy case.

“I had already bought my ticket to return to Charlotte when the officer arrived to get me,” he declared.

He characterized the bigamy charge as “about the silliest thing anybody ever got away with.”

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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Concord Firemen Carry Fire to Water Hydrant, Nov. 12, 1926

They Carried This Fire to the Water

When Concord firemen were called Friday night to the home of J. E. Davis on West Depot Street, they pulled something new. Instead of carrying water to the fire they carried the fire to the water.

A roomer in the home of Mr. Davis discovered the bed afire when he entered the room about 10 o’clock. Firemen, instead of throwing water on the bed, picked up the burning mattress and clothing and carried them to a hydrant near the home.

It is not known how the fire started, as no one had been in the room since early in the morning.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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After Bridge Supper, Party Attend Davidson-Carolina Dance, Nov. 13, 1926

Attend Dance in Charlotte

After the bridge-supper given by Misses Louise and Alice Gibson in Charlotte Friday evening in honor of Miss Adelaide Harris, the guests attended the Davidson-Carolina dance.

Among other Concord young people who were present were Miss Virginia Reed, Clarence Ridenhour, Joe Barrier, Tom White, Worth Joyner, Bill McAuley, Dick Richards and “Sug” Laughlin.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Nov. 13, 1926

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