Will Smith, Jerry Baker Lose 9 Barns of Tobacco in Fire, Oct. 15, 1923

Fire Destroys Much Tobacco in Stokes

Will Smith and Jerry Baker of Meadows township suffered a heavy loss Saturday night when nine barns of tobacco belonging to them was destroyed by fire, the loss being near $3,000 with no insurance. Seven barns of the tobacco belonged to Mr. Smith, the other being owned by Mr. Baker. The building in which the tobacco was stored, which was a two-story building, was formerly occupied by Sam Baker as a residence, and was owned by him. No insurance was carried on the building.

The force of workmen engaged in building the highway to the Hanging Rock development near Flat Shoal were camping making their headquarters in the lower rooms of the burned building at the time of the fire, and some of the men barely made their escape before the building fell in. One young man reported that he lost all of his clothing and about $40 in cash. The origin of the fire was not known.

--Danbury Reporter

From page 3 of The Reidsville Review, Oct. 15, 1923