Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-10-11
THURSDAY, OCT. IL, 1898.
AWFUL CONFEDERATION!


Sir Houses. farse Shops, sic Stables. and
seUsntesa Horses burnt,
II 10 our painful duty TO record one Of the
most serious caiami,ies by FIRE that has ever
occurred in our town. On Thursday morn>
ing last, our citizens were aroused from their
about one o'clock. by tho sppal-
ing cry Of FIRE. l, proved 10 be in the from,
stable Of the Wayne Tavern, the extensive
stsbling Of which establishment, had been
rented by some gentlemen for the purpose of
Keeping the horses ofmembers oi Synod, the |
house not being occupied as Tavern. The
flames had 80 far progressed before the a.
larm was given, that il was impossible 10
save oil the Horses. There were probably
not less than fifty or sixty. in all, in the sla,
bles and sheds, OF which seventeen are ascer.
tanned TO have persisted. The f,e immedi-
ately communicated 10 the Tavern house on
ono side, and tho two wooden buildings be-
longing TO Puffenbargsr's heirs on the other.
all Of which were wholly consumed-and al.
SO the shop OF Capt. WIN. Young. the shop,
house and kitchen on the LOT of L.. l.. Ste.
venson Esq. and the Store house of Jacob
Less, Esq. occupied by the Admin ,strstor OF
William Clarke, dec'd-a stable OF John,
3. Breckenridge. Esq. attached TO the brick
house in the occupancy Of Mr.. Henry Speck
and a stable of E. Valentine. Esq occupied
by Mr.. II. Seely.-A small brick house be-
longing TO Capt. Young below his residence
also look hre, but was saved by a partial
demolition Of the roof. Here the fire vos
stopped in that direction. The brick house
OF MIR. Breckenridge, also caught, but was
fortunately saved by great exertion. and
the fire thus arrested on that side. The range
OF the confagrniion embraced about half of
the entire square, which was the most com.
pact!y built and combustible in the town.
we arc not correctly informed as 10 the
losses OF individuals. The Wayne Tavern
and The Houses Of Mr.. Stevenson and Mr.
Leas were ensured, and we believe nearly
Gil Inc goods in the Store OF Mr.. Clarke we're
removed. On The houses belonging to Puff
ienoargor's heirs. we understand, there was
no insurance. Oae Of these was occupied
ny Mr. Henry Taylor, as residence, who
saved nearly all bis property-the other by
hir' Thomas Bryan, mschinist, as a chop
whose loss is estimated at upwards of 1900
and by Mr.. George Nicholson, Carriage.
maker, whose loss we have not heard. In
the Wayne Tavern there were three fsmi.
lies, each OF whom sustained some Ioss-,he
adjoining shop by Mr.. J. Gordon. tailor. who
also sustained email lnss MIR. Younp's
loss IN the destruction Of his shop, does no,
probably exceed $500. as almost every thing
was removed from it. The house Of Mr..
stevenson was occupied by Mr.. John Car.
ro', as shoe-shop. by Mr.. P. Piman rs
saddler,shop, and by CbesIey Kinney,
Esq, as an Attorneys ofice-all Of whom.
we understand, succeeded IN rescuing mos,
OF their property.
Happily Tor our town the night was quite
calm, otherwise Tie greater portion OF i, must
inevitably have been swep. away by the de
Voaring eIement.-Even as it was, il is
mailer OF sincere congratulntion that our ca
iamiiy has proved no worse The buildings
on The east side Of the street from the Wsvne
were several times on FIRE, as also those on
the other side Of the square, and from the inn
mense masses Of cnders which were
sent up from the burning piles il is a
wonder that fire was not communicated m
soma Of the decayed roofs in neiehborinp
squares Besides, our citizens vera x;,bon,
any efficient organization TO NEE, such An
emergency. Still il is evident they exer,ed
themselves to good effect. Great proise i.
Que 10 many OF them, as veil ss OF the stran-
gerS, who were in town, for their exer.ions
on 'he occasion. Among the latter. we can
mol omit mentioning the name Of JOHN
OrNs, Esq, of Petersburg, who SEEING
our want Of an experienced pipe.man. vol.
on'eered bis aid. and render ed most impor.
tsni service.
u is not known how the fire or;ginstsJ
on' it is feared it was the work of an incen.
diary.
In Common Council, Oct.5, 1888. |