Grayson County TXGenWeb
Whitewright fires
Business Fires, School Fires, House Fires

Mar 29, 1918 Dallas Morning News
New Fire-Fighting Truck Received at Whitewright
"Special to the News:- Whitewright, Texas, March 20-
The city of Whitewright has just received a new automobile combination hose and chemical truck. It will replace the present horse drawn fire equipment."

Sep. 10, 1909 Dallas Morning News(Sep 11,edition)

The 'Great Whitewright Fire" of June 1911 Whitewright Downtown Fire of June 1897 Oct 5,1886 -"A disastrous fire occurred here this morning at 1 o'clock. It was discovered in the house of Batsell & Reeves, dealers in general merchandise. Thence it swept west and consumed every building on the south side except two, one owned by the Masonic fraternity, the other owned by Patterson & Meadows.Eight buildings in all were destroyed. The loss is about $60,000, only partly insured. it is thought to have been the work on an incendiary." Dallas Morning News Oct. 6, 1886. May 5, 1901 - Dallas Morning News-Whitewright, Tex., May 4- "Fire was discovered in the Schumbert-Bradley Furniture Company's store at 1 o'clock last night. The loss on stock is estimated at fro $500 to $2000. ; inusred in the Commercial Union, New York Underwriters, Firemen's Fund, and Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Companies. The building is owned by S.E. Marshall." Dallas Morning News - 27 Sep 1891 - Thousand Bales of Cotton - Whitewright, Tex., Sep. 26- The cotton platform burned here at 4 p.m. with 1000 bales of cotton. Fire at Whitewright -Special to the News; Whitewright, Tex., April 8, - J.B. Pate's Restaurant was destroyed by fire at 2 AM today. Loss $400, insurance $250. Building owned by Lewis Holland also destroyed. Loss $800. $300 insurance; also the building of Blakey, occupied by Roberts & Dennis Cafe. Loss on building $400, no insurance; loss on stock $300, no insurance.  9 Apr 1907-Dallas Morning News $1,500 Fire at Whitewright Special to the Dallas Morning News.(April 12th edition) Whitewright, Tex., April 11,1911 Fire of unknown origin broke out in the back of the E. Kennard's Furniture store at 3:15 o'clock this morning. The stock was covered by insurance. The building owned by C.W. Bryant, was valued at $1,500, with about $1000 insurance. The jewelry store of S.R. Glidewell suffered considerable damage.  Dallas Morning News Jan 4,1927 "$2,000 Fire at Whitewright Whitewright, Texas Jan 3 (1927)Fire at an early hour Sunday morning damaged the new Kimball elevator building, machinery and contents to the extent of appoximately $2,000. The blaze started in some undetermined manner near the corn sheller and burned its way to the top of the elevator shaft before it was discovered and extinguished by the fire department".  Dallas Morning News Mar 19, 1927 page 21 16 Horses Die in Fire "Whitewright, Grayson Co.,Texas, Mar. 28 - Sixteen head of horses and mules and six head of hogs perished in a fire that destroyed the large barn on the farm of B.F. Blanton, four miles south of Whitewright. The barn was one of the largest in this section and in it was stored a large quantity of feedstuffs, harness and farm tools. The loss will approximate $5,000, with $800 insurance on structure and contents." Dallas Morning News Oct 27, 1927 edition.  15 Autos Burn in Whitewright Fire Special to the News: Whitewright, Grayson Co., Texas, Oct 26-Fire of an unknown origin destroyed the garage and filling station of W. C. Huffhines here Wednesday morning. Fifteen automobiles, trucks and tractors stored in the building were destroyed. The loss on the building and contens was estimated at $15,000, partly covered by insurance.  Owners of the building were W.C. Huffhines, J.B. Hamilton, Robert Sears and Mrs. G.L. Lindsey. Slight damage was done to the LaRoe Lumber Company plant adjoining the building. Efficient work of the Whitewright fire department kept the blaze from spreading. "

29 Nov 1909  Dallas Morning News

"Firebug Executes a Threat Store of a Whitewright Man Who Ignored an Anoymous  Letter Is Burned Special to the News. Bonham, Tex., May 7- The town of Whitewright has been much exercised of late over a mysterious letter-writer and his determination to carry his threats into execution. Monday of last week Mr. Sam E. Marshall, a prominent merchant and old resident of Whitewright, received a letter informing him that unless he put $500 in a certain place on a given night his building would be burned to the ground, and furthermore, that if he made the letter public he would be murdered by an unknown hand. Mr. Marshall ignored the threat. Last Friday night his large furniture store was almost destroyed by fire and the contents are a total loss. Mr. Marshall then made known the threatening letter he had received and an effort is being made to locate its author." Dallas Morning News May 8, 1901 Then May 11,1901 Dallas Morning News adds this:They Followed Closely to Receipt of Two Threatening Letters. May 10th Whitewright, The special from Bonham concerning the fire at this place was in some respects erroneous. The first threatening letter was received by Mr. Marshall eight days after the first fire, but the second night after receipt of the letter the goods in a building owned by Mr. Marshall were for the second time found to be on fire. Both letters were given to the officers without delay, but so far they have been unable to find a clew (sic)."

Grayson College Disaster- School to Reopen and Citizens to Assist in Rehabitaion
Special to the News:(Dallas Morning News Feb. 18,1904)
"Sherman, Tex., Feb 17- At a public meeting, held in the Baptist Church at Whitewright, Grayson County, this morning. J.F. Anderson, president of the Grayson College, which last night suffered a $40,000. fire, state that the temporary quarters had been secured and school would open as usual tomorrow ( Thrsday) morning. This afternoon at another public meeting enterprising Whitewright citizens took the initiave in steps to lend financial assistance. There are four hundred students the most of whom are boarders."

Grayson College Burned
Building Totally Destroyed with Loss of $60,000 with an insurance of but $17,000.
Prof. J.P. Anderson States that the school will be continued without interruption,all arrangements having been made for the housing of the pupils.
Dallas Morning News Feb. 17,1904

Dallas Morning News 20 May 1904 page 13; "Sherman, Tex., May 19th- the contract was today awarded to Davis & Elliott of Sherman to rebuild Grayson College at Whitewright, recently destroyed by fire. The improvements contracted for today will entail an outlay of nearly, if not quite, $20,000."

Whitewight Public School Burns

Dallas Morning News 14 Sep 1913
Whitewright School Burns
Loss on Building and Contents Estimated at $25,000.
Special to the News
Whitewright, Tex. Sept. 13- The public school building at this place was destroyed by fire tonight. The loss is estimated at $25,000. The origin of the blaze is not known. There had been no fire in the building for several weeks. The structure was insured for $17,500.
Two Pianos and a well equipped laboratory were included in the loss. The building had twelve rooms and was a two story brick structure.

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House & Barn fires

• Fire Record- Dallas Morning News- Aug 3, 1894 - Dwelling & Money. Aug 2nd - "Joe May's residence, one mile north of twon, burned this morning. Most of the household goods were saved. Fifteen hundred dollars in money and notes burned. Insured, but the amount is not known.

 
• Barn at Whitewright "July 18, 1898  -"W.T. Truett's barn and contents were burned last night while the family were at church. Cause unknown. Loss $950. No insurance. Dallas Morning News

 
• Barn and Stock, Whitewright, Tex., April 9, 1899" The barn on Wade Sears farm, four miles north of town, was burned last night together with eight mules and one horse, property of James Stone and J.H. York, tenants on the farm. Considerable feedstuff was also consumed. Cause of the fire unknown." Apr. 11, 1899  Dallas Morning News.

• Two houses burn at Whitewright - "28th Sep.,1900 - Fire this afternoon destroyed the cottage of J.T. Howard, as well as that of Rev. J.M.Campbell, the pastor of the Central Christian Church. The fire started in the house of Mr. Campbell from the explosion of a gasoline stove. Mr. Howard had $450 insurance on the house in the Phoenix of Harford, and $300 on household goods in the Commercial Union. Mr. Campbell's insurance was $700 on the building, $500 in the Continental and $200 in the Liverpool and London and Globe, and $600 in the Aetna on household furniture. His library, valued at $800, was insured at $300. " Dallas Morning News 30 Sep, 1900.

 
• Whitewright, Tex., April 4, 1901 - J.A. Wallace's residence was burned last night. Some household goods were saved. Loss on the house $11000 on furniture $500, insurance $500 on house and $250 on furniture." Dallas Morning News, 9 Apr 1901 (see another Wallace residence listed below)

 

 

• Aug 2, 1901 Dallas Morning News "Small Texas Fires. Residence and Contents Destroyed at Whitewright- Loss $1,800. Special to the News. Whitewright, Tex., Aug. 1, - A house owned by Mrs. E.R. Rathbun and occupied by R.R. Greenlee, was destroyed by fire at noon here today. The house was valued at $1,000. and insured for $600 in the Commercial Union, and the household goods were valued at $800 and insured for $500 in the German- American.

 
• 6 Nov, 1909 - Dallas Morning News - "Whitewright, Tex., Nov. 5- The residence of Floyd Everheart, two miles north of this place, burned this morning about 5:20 o'clock. House and contents were a total loss, valued at $2,500 partially insured."

 
• "Oct 17, 1912 Whitewright Residence Destroyed.

Special to the News (Dallas Morning News)
Whitewright, Tex., Oct 16-The house occupied by Grover Wallace and located in the south part of town was destroyed by fire. The house beloged to Mart Clayton at Ector and was valued at $1,000. partially insured. The loss on the household goods was covered by insurance."
 
• July 27, 1913 Dallas Morning News Page 4

"Dwelling Fire at Whitewright.
Special to the News:
Whitewright, Tex.,July 26- Don L. Dyer lost his house and household goods this morning by fire. Mrs. Dyer was out of the house at the time and the fire was not discovered until the flames were bursting through the roof of the building. The origin of the fire is not known. Mr. Dyer is a rural mail carrier and was on his route at the time. The loss is partially covered by insurance."
 
• 12 Aug, 1913 - "Dwelling fire at Whitewright, Aug 11th " Fire destoryed the residence of W.H. Stedham here Saturday night about 9 o'clock. It is not known how the fire originated as all the family were away from home at the time. All the household goods, together with all wearing apparel, was destroyed. The loss was partially covered by insurance." Dallas Morning News Aug.12th.

 
• 24 Aug, 1913 Dallas Morning News- Special to the News, Whitewright, Tex.,23 " Fire completely destroyed four residences here this morning about 9 o'clock. The fire originated in a defective flue in the house of J.B. Stalling and quickly spread to the other houses. Most all the household goods were saved except those of Mr. Stalling. He lost everything. The following are the losers; Mrs. M.P. Ball, $600 loss; no insurance. Mr.Cooper, residence $500 loss; inusured. J.B. Stalling, residence and household goods, $2000 loss; insured. Mr. Sisk residence, insured. Mr. cooper had just recently moved here from Cooper, Tex., and had just moved into his new home this week."

 
• Dallas Morning News Sep 30, 1915 "Dwelling Burns Near Whitewright. Special to the News. "Whitewright, Texas, Sept. 29- The residence of Mrs. J.L. German was destroyed by fire this afternoon. The building and household goods were a total loss, amounting to $9,000, with $3,000 insurance on the building and $1,500 on the furniture. The family was away from home. The residence was located on a farm, about one mile east of the city.
 
• "20 Dec, 1920 - "The substantial country home of Mrs. Mary Ryon, one mile northwest of this city was destroyed by fire about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoo. The house furnishings were also destroyed, the occupants being temporarily away. The loss will approximate $5,000. partially covered by insurance." Dallas Morning News

 
• Dallas Morning News Jun 23, 1926 Whitewright Farm Home Burned"Whitewright, Texas, June 22- A farm residence occupied by J.M.Wood and family, three miles northwest of this place, was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. The contents of the building were also a complete loss. Mr. Wood carried insurance to the amount of $600 on his furnishings.

The house, which was the property of W.H. King of Whitewright, was also insured to an amount that will partially cover the loss."
 
• "Stockman Loses Life in Burning Residence Special to the News (Dallas Morning News, Nov. 28, 1930 page 6)  Whitewright, Texas, Nov. 27- J.A. Bryant, 45 wealthy stockman, lost his life in a fire that destroyed the two-story home of T.E. Sears Thursday. He was spending the night with Mr. Sears, the two being the only occupants of the premises. Mr. Sears escaped, but was unable to aid his guest, who was sleeping in an adjoing room on the ground floor.

Mr. Bryant was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Bryant of this city. Surviving him also are three brothers, Marvin Bryant of Madill and Charley and G.F. Bryant of Whitewright, and a sister, Mrs. Floyd Everheart of Sherman."
 
• Landmark home burns- 23 Apr, 1936 Dallas Morning News- Sherman Tex., Apr 22-" A 70 year-old landmark in the Mahurin community near Whitewright, the house of W.T. Pritchett, was destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. The home was built by Addison Pritchett in the shape of an H, with two story wings at each end of a one story section. The fire is reported to have started from a defective flue. The family was unable to save any furnishings."

 
• 10 Sep 1938 - Dallas Morning News-..."The Joe Wallace home, southwest of Whitewright, was destroyed Thursday night. It was one of the old landmarks of the community. Situated just outside the city limits, lack of water prevented the saving of the building." see Hexed house below.

 
• Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan 1959

8th House Burned on Hexed Tract.
Whitewright, Texas (sp)- Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Moore probably will do a lot of thinking before they do any rebuilding following a fire which leveled their home here.
The house was just outside the city limits and stands at a site which residents of Whitewright are commencing to feel is hexed.
In the past 25 years, eight houses built on this site have been destroyed by fire. After the Joe Wallace home burned in the 1930's, subsequent fires destroyed homes owned by A.P. Neff, the Otto Russells, the Jim Hollingsworths, the Handsards, Harold Doss, Ed Hudspeth, and the Murphys.

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