WGNS Radio, 1450AM – 101.5FM, June 22, 2013
A Rutherford County home, which was used as a hospital during the Civil War, has been destroyed by fire, according to firefighters.
Crews found heavy flames shooting through the front windows of the home on Sulphur Springs Road around midnight, according to Rutherford County Fire Chief Larry Farley.
Firefighters trucked in their own water to fight the fire at the home, which was about 4,000 square feet, Farley said.
It took about an hour to get the fire under control.
One firefighter suffered dehydration at the scene and was transported as a precaution, Farley said.
“There was no one at home at the time, so the fire remains under investigation,” Farley said.
The fire appears to have originated in the front of the residence.
One of the homeowners was treated at the scene for nausea. “It’s understandable, seeing what’s happened to the home,” Farley said. “I wouldn’t want to come home and find that.”
Around 11:20 Saturday night (6/22/2013) fire destroyed the pre-Civil War home that was built by Mordici Burgess Wade in 1823. A firefighter with the Walter Hill Volunteer Fire Department said three-fourths of the home was fully involved in flames when they arrived.
Reports indicate that no one was at the approximately 4,000 square foot home when the first unit pulled onto the scene. The home burned to the ground, and was still smoldering Sunday afternoon.
When one of the homeowners arrived, they were so distraught that paramedics had to treat him for nausea. They told one firefighter that they had recently redone the floors in the historic residence.
In addition to Walter Hill, volunteers from Lascassas, Rutherford County stations 2 and 3, the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services and the Sheriffs Office responded to the call.
History of Family and Home
According to a 1977 publication of the Rutherford County Historical Society, “Its huge columns, spacious and attractive structure has been admired by many passers-by.” The
group noted, “It was one of the olded and most beautiful houses in Bethel-Leana Community.” Historians note that the home was also used as a hospital during the Civil War.
Susan Daniel with the Society told WGNS News, “So sad to lose another heritage house.
She noted that Mordicai (Mordici) Burgess Wade, Sr. is buried in the Wade Cemetery on Sulphur Springs Road (I assume near the house that burned). He was born 26 April 1800 in Maryland (according to the census) and died October 30, 1867 (testate – leaving a will). He is buried with his wife, Martha Ann [Campbell] Wade, born 15 July 1818, died 10 Sep 1863, daughter of Samuel and Nancy [Mann] Campbell.
Mordecai and Martha were married in Rutherford Co on November 24, 1835. Mordecai was the son of Capt. John Wade Sr. and Martha [Offut] Wade, both from Maryland.
Capt. John Wade died January 16, 1840 (testate – left a will) and may have built the house that burned. The Wades were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Daniel continued, “Capt. John may have served in the Revolution, but I haven’t researched that, although he and Martha married ca 1781 according to some records.”
At the time of Mordecai’s death he owned over 725 acres of land. Mordecai and his siblings married into Rutherford County families including Sperry, Cochran, Johns, Kimbro, and Snell.
