One of the most destructive fires in the history of Rome, close on the heels of a cloud-burst and electrical storm, interfered with the normal life of Rome a half century ago last week.

Flames were discovered shortly after midnight Thursday in the rear of Hub Clothing Co. by Will Patton and Policeman King. They summoned the fire department, but the flames had already spread to Nixon-Smith Hardware Co., Crawford Brothers chinaware in the Yancey Building and a store owned by Sam Kuttner. The fire was under control by daybreak, but damage was estimated at about $50,000.

A large piece of glass fell on fireman Blake Barnett, striking his forehead, and Tom Tolbert was hit in the eye by a piece of glass. They were recovering, however.

Residents were complaining, because most people didn’t know about the fire until they had read of it in the Tribune-Herald that morning. It raised the question again about repairing the old striker in the City Clock. Since the paid fire department had taken over, a small striker in the main fire hall was used, and this could not be heard very far. City electrician Charles Woodruff said that the old city-wide alarm could not be repaired, and it would cost $400 to install a new one.

With a terrific rain and lightning storm of about two hours’ duration, water pouring down Third and Fourth avenues flooded Broad Street for a time. Numerous chimneys were blown down, including the one at the City Hall on West Fourth Avenue, causing rain to pour into the office of the chief of police.

Dr. J.L. Garrard’s barn at 305 E. Seventh St. was struck by lightning, killing his buggy horse valued at $200, and almost destroyed the barn. Telephones were dead and trains delayed. Lindale was cut off from the rest of the world overnight, and the Lindale Union Church was struck, causing a fire. With the trolley wires down, many Lindaleans were in Rome, and forced to stay overnight. Lightning played along the trolley wires on Broad Street bridge, and cars were idle for an hour, due to a burned out transformer.

During the storm a young tree from unknown parts was carried by the winds and deposited in front of the First National Bank.

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In spite of these disrupting occurrences, plans were progressing for the greatest observance of Labor Day ever. A big parade was to get it off to a good start, with races planned for the afternoon. … Extensive improvements at Darlington School on East 9th Street had been made during the summer, including a new recitation room. The interior and been painted and calcimined, ready for the opening on September 6. The teaching staff included J.R. McClain and L.M Lester, with C.H. Sheffield of Fayetteville, Tenn., the new mathematics teacher. … Nearly every incoming train brought boys to the Berry School. A new dormitory built during the summer was to help the crowded conditions, and prospects were for the young school’s brightest and most successful year. …

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Romans were interested in the message just received at the Brussels observatory from Dr. Frederick A. Cook, American explorer, stating that he had “reached the north pole April 21, 1908,” and discovered land. He was returning to Copenhagen by the steamer Hans Sgede (This claim occurred one year earlier than that of Robert Edwin Peary, and just a week before the latter’s return. But when Congress investigated Cook’s claims, it finally gave Peary the credit of the discovery.). … Cramp Watters and Jim Rogers had been fined for failing to light the lamps on their automobiles. … The Berry School was asking $250,000 to allow the Rome and Northern Railroad tracks to run through its land. The railroad refused to pay it, and the claim was to be submitted to arbitration, while condemnation proceeds were to follow in legal form. …