Knighton Blaze
Shops Gutted.
EXCITING SCENES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE
The Brecon Radnor Express - 10th December 1914
The inhabitants of Knighton were suddenly roused from their slumbers on Sunday morning between three and four o'clock by the cry of "Fire"! In a few minutes after the alarm had been given a large crowd assembled in Broad street. The fire broke out in the basement of the premises occupied by Mr McMitchell, general outfitter, and spread on both sides. The police were soon on the spot, and directly after four o'clock the Fire Brigade, with a large number of willing and useful helpers, were hard at work. It was discovered, however, that the fire had taken such a hold on the premises that it would be almost impossible to save anything; the flames poured furiously through the broken windows and doors; the heat became almost unbearable; but still the men worked with pumps and hose, as if the salvation of the whole town depended on their success. One after another the floors fell in, and in less than an hour the roof came down with a fearful crash. The efforts of the firemen were turned in the direction of the surrounding property. Below, but directly adjoining Mr McMitchell's, is the shop of Mr W. G. Bowen, with its office, bake house, and store-room at the back. These were completely destroyed, and the flames made their way into the roof of the house to such an extent that the hose had to be applied, with the result that the top rooms were drenched. Most of the furniture in the rooms adjoining Mr McMitchell's was hurriedly removed to a more distant part of Mr Bowen's premises.
Other Shops Ablaze.
Next door to Mr McMitchell's, but above it, is the shop of Miss M. Owen, dressmaker, with the house, all under the same roof as the burning shop and house of the outfitter. The fire seems to have spread to this part of the premises from the back, leaving the front shops intact for a short time, but only, for a short time, for, before daylight, all that remained of the building was the front wall, supported by three iron pillars and some half-burnt beams, and the masonry at the back. The shop of Mr E. Hammond, tailor, the front of which, it will be remembered, was recently injured by the over-running and over-turning of an organ van, stands next above Miss Owens; then comes that of Mr Cartwright. These premises were for some time in immediate danger, and strenuous efforts had to be made to keep the flames from spreading in this direction. Fortunately, with the exception of a little damage to Mr Hammond's roof, no harm was done. As may be imagined, the centre of the gutted building was filled for many hours with a huge heap of burning debris. The cellar contained about two tons of coal, which burned and steamed like a vast furnace, and compelled the careful and constant attention of the firemen, and, though most of the helpers were dispensed with at midday on Sunday, a contingent of watchers, armed with the hose, had to be retained for the rest of the day and night. About 2.30, on Monday morning, Mr Powell (carter to the Urban Council), who was the night-watcher, noticed that fire was again appearing among the debris, but, with the aid of P.C. Thompson, he succeeded in extinguishing it.
(Picture reproduced with the kind permission of Bob Henderson)
Sensational Escapes.
The outfitter's shop was occupied only by Mr McMitchell, who slept in one of the upper rooms. He was awakened by a feeling, akin to suffocation, and, guessing the cause he hastily dressed, knotted his bedclothes together, and let himself through the back window. Remembering that Miss Owen was the sole occupant of the next house, and that she was rather deaf, he broke open her door and went to rouse her. She, however, had been awakened by the smell of fire, and was assisted into the street in a fainting condition by Mr Cartwright and Mr McMitchell.
Clearing the Shops.
Helpers busied themselves in clearing the shops of Miss Owen and Mr Hammond, and, thanks to the direction of the police, a quarter-of-an-hour in each case sufficed. Mr Parker and Mr Jordan were largely instrumental in saving the surrounding property. The former is an old member of the Fire Brigade, and the latter turned his valuable knowledge as a practical builder to good account. They were both on the roofs most of the time the fire was raging, and have since received the thanks of many of the leading tradesmen of the town. Mr McMitchell's stock is all lost, but we are informed that the loss is partially covered by insurance. Miss Owen's loss will not, we are glad to know, be as heavy as was at first anticipated. Her stock was not insured. Mr Bowen's premises and grocery stock have suffered considerably, and we understand that many sacks of flour have been destroyed. The furniture of Mr Hammond is saved, though, perhaps, the hose accounts for the spoiling of some of his stock. The walls of the building are in a dangerous condition, and will have to come down at the earliest opportunity, so that it will be necessary to re-build from the ground.
Miss Owen = Mary Owen a 47 year old Dressmaker living on her own. Mary previously ran her dressmaking business from her residence in Bridge Street.
Mr Cartwright, = John Cartwright (49) Mineral Water Manufacture Boot And Shoe Maker was living in Broad Street in 1914 with his wife Harriet (nee Ann Harriet Jones) (52) and their children, Florence Annie (23), Dora Winifrid (20), Isabel Gladys (19), Archibald William James (17) and Jack Douglas (16)
W. G. Bowen = Waldron George Bowen (58) Grocer. Waldon was living in Broad Street in 1914 with his wife Louisa (58) and their son John (31)
Mr. Powell, carter for the Urban District Council = Herbert Powell (40), was the husband of Elizabeth Ann (nee Wozencroft) (36) Elizabeth Ann was the daughter of Aaron and Mary Wozencroft. You can read the tragic story of Mary Wozencroft's death here (Death From Exposure)
More on Joseph McMitchell
Joseph McMichell's brother was Robert McMitchell. Robert was a master tailor who had married Elisa May Blanche Thomas the daughter of John Thomas from Llanbister. Robert sold the outfitters, in Knighton, to Joseph before moving to Church Stretton. Robert had previously been trading in Eccles near Manchester. Both Joseph and Robert were born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland.
After the fire Joseph moved to Liverpool and became an attendant at the North Western Hotel next to Lime Street station, and on 1st June 1916 he married Sarah Jane Salkeld at St John, Egremont, Cheshire, which was just a short ferry ride from where Joseph worked.
Sometime after his marriage to Sarah, Joseph left his job as an attendant and tried his hand at bicycles. He became a saddler making seats for cycles.
On 28th July 1920 Joseph, then aged 42, was arrested for stealing 18 packages of wearing apparel and cycle accessorised from Hugh Mccracken, Thomas Archer, Frank Masheder, John Lyde, and Robert Ivon Jones. He was sentenced to 12 months hard labour at The General Quarter Sessions Liverpool.
They sailed into Ellis Island, New York on board the SS Olympic on 12th July 1928. The ship's manifest states that their nearest friend/relative was: Friend, S Thomas of East Farm, Clee Downton, Ludlow, Salop. Joseph was born in Coladon (Caledon in Co Tyrone) Ireland, 5' 9", had a fair complexion, fair hair & blue eyes. Sarah was born in Wigton, 5' 6", had a fair complexion, brown hair & hazel eyes. Their destination was with a D Cambron in Newport, Rhode Island, their intention was that it would be a permanent move.
Although Elllis island has them making another trip from Britain to the USA in 1939, there is another journey undertaken by Sarah alone in 1933. She says that Joseph paid for the trip on board the Britannic. She was aged 35 and her occupation was that of a cook. She states that she had lived in the USA for 7 years, so maybe they went to the States earlier than 1928? Either that or her calculations were wrong. She had been visiting her aunt, Hannah Salkeld at 3 Holland Road, Brighton and was travelling home to 300 Park Avenue, New York. Sarah's shrinking - her hight is now given as 5' 4 1/2.
By 1939, Joseph is a Chauffeur aged 61 and Sarah is a 42 year-old Housewife. Their last address in the USA has been in Cleveland (Ohio), to which they were returning: 19001 Shelbourne Road. This time, they had been back to visit Joseph's brother M McMitchell, Crievelough, Brantry, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
In 1940 they can be found in the Colgate household as servants in Manhattan, New York.
The Brecon Radnor Express - 7th January 1915
Last Tuesday afternoon, while Messrs. W. Jordan and W. Evans were attending to some repairs on the premises of Mr W. G. Bowen, Mr Richard Thomas, Russell Street, rate collector and carpenter, attempted to climb the roof of Mr Bowen's bake- house in order to reach some work on the main building. A thin coat of frozen snow partially covered the roof at the time, and Mr Thomas, missing his footing, fell and slipped backwards down the roof about eight feet. On reaching the lower edge of the roof, he fell to the ground, a distance of 13 feet, and alighted on his back. The police ambulance was brought to the spot, and the unfortunate man was conveyed to his home by P.S. Bufton and P.C. Thompson, assisted by Messrs. W. Jordan, W. Evans (Thomas's employer) and Raymond James. Dr. Griffiths and Nurse Tate were soon in attendance, and every attention was given to Mr Thomas, who had received slight injuries to his head and arm, and more serious injuries to his back. He is progressing slowly, but satisfactorily.
The Brecon Radnor Express - 18th February 1915
The Fire Brigade Committee had discussed and adjusted the scale of charges, and had put pumpers and helpers on the same scale. Mr Edward Griffiths now proposed that a fire-bell be purchased, and erected in the town. He said it was time they had a fire-bell in Knighton. When a fire broke out it caused a good deal of running about. It might be placed in the tower, if the cost was not prohibitive. The resolution was seconded by Dr. Griffiths. Mr Hamar said other towns had fire-bells, but they were only used when the fire happened in the town. When the fire broke out in Broad Street several people living near did not know about it. The matter was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee, and the clerk was instructed to write to other towns having a fire-bell, and get what information he could.
The Brecon Radnor Express - 8th July 1915
APPRECIATION.—In recognition of the services of Mr W. Jordan at the Broad street fire last December, the tradesmen of the town have subscribed a handsome sum, with which a black marble clock with side ornaments has been purchased. The clock bears the following inscription:—"Presented to Mr Wm. Jordan by Knighton tradesmen, for valuable services rendered at the great fire in Broad street, Knighton, December 6th, 1914." The clock was supplied by Mr E. J. Pullen, and is now on view in the window of the Clock House, Broad Street, Knighton.
The Brecon Radnor Express - 26th August 1915
REWARDED.—When settling with the Fire Brigade for the Broad Street fire, the three Insurance Companies concerned suitably recognised the services of Mr Wm. Jordan who was not at the time a member of the brigade.
William Jordan's brother, John Ernest, was killed in WW1. More information on William, John and their parents and siblings can be seen HERE
Liverpool Daily Post -14th December 1915
LOSS BY FIRE - Knighton Business Man's Failure
At the Liverpool Bankruptcy Court yesterday, Mr. Registrar Cooper had before him the public examination of Joseph McMitchell, formerly a valet in private service, but more recently in business as an outfitter at Knighton Radnorshire.
The debtor, for whom Mr J A Behn appeared, attributed his insolvency to "the loss of all my stock, fixtures, furniture, &c, by fire."
The statement of affairs disclosed unsecured creditors for £1,889 10s 2d, and assets £917 17s, the latter being the amount of two claims against insurance companies in respect of the fire, and £7 17s for book debts.
Examined by the Official Receiver, the debtor stated that up to April 1914, he had been in private service as a valet, and he was now engaged as attendant upon steamers arriving at and leaving Liverpool. In June 1914, he purchased from his brother the business of an outfitter carried on by him at Knighton. He (the debtor) had at the time of purchase about £400 capital, including £200 he had saved, but he had practically no knowledge of the business. He found the business satisfactory, the turnover which at first was about £10 a week, having been as high as £35 a week. After he had been in it about six months a fire broke out on the premises on December 5, 1914, and everything in the building was consumed, including stock, furniture, fixings, trading books, and £300 in paper money.
The fire occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, when he was asleep in bed in an upper room, and he only had time to escape by knotting together some bedclothes and lowering himself from the window to the roof of a shed below.
The examination was adjourned.
Liverpool Daily Post -18th January 1916
The public examination of Joseph McMitchell, formerly an outfitter in Knighton, Radnorshire was closed.
After a year of being bankrupt, you will usually be discharged from bankruptcy. This releases you from any debts covered by your bankruptcy. It also takes away the restrictions of bankruptcy. On 24th April 1917 Joseph's discharge from bankruptcy was suspended. He continued to be responsible for his debts until 30th March 1919.