Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-11-16
FTRE.
destructive FIRE occurred in this town last nigh

destructive Are occurred in this town last night
The large Hotel, well known Pnwells or Friends
and the Presbyterian Church, (of which the Rev John
cyburn paslor,) together with several contiguous
buildings of less value, were destroyed.
BESIDES the Hotel and Church, destroyed the
stable and ouihouses Of the Hotel, and Dr. Waller
Jones stable and kitchen. Two Offices, one occup"d
as BARRIERS shop and the other By DR.. Cairns, next
below the Hotel, not burnt, hut very much cutu
and damagcd-one Of them nearly destroyed The
Hotel we understand, Gust S3i 900. II was insured to
the amaunt of $4,000. We regret exceedingly to
learn that Mr. Friend, who had charge Of the Hotel,
has sustained heavy loss in furniture &c, Upwards
Of sc 0O0) and that part Of it insured In the
Hotel stable there wero it is supposed twenty five or
thirty horses consumed By the fire. We sorry TO
hear from Dr.. Jones, that he lost his horse also IN The
same way.
Among the horses burnt in the Hotel Stables,
pair q" carriage horses belonging 10 Mrs. George Z.
Harrison, Of Brandon They arrived only the day be-
fore. The carriage saved: the driver having hap
pcnrd TO sleep IN it. Alessrs. Marcus Games and Ed
ward Randolph also had the misfortune to lose each
horse. The stage contractors, it s sad lost one, two
and the other three iorscs.
The Hotel was an extensive edIice oil brick en-
loving full run of patronage. Its destruction is
rions public loss to the Town. The same stand was
burnt good many years ago-the building then be-
ing frnme. The Hotel, we learn, belonged to compa
ny-bnt nearly two.ihirds of the property Of
Mr. Taey Of Brunswick, (who inherited il from Mr..
Willis Collsns said TO be very wealthy. OF the other
owners we know the name Of only the Rev. Minton
Thrift, whose share was, believe, not large. The
Hotel from lis position, extensive aud commodious
buildings and well established reputallon was among
the first in The Southern country.
The Presbyterian Church was ample and elegant
structure. II cost originally, we believe, $4,000. II
has recently been put in repair, and adorned with Tine
steppe the cost of all which is said TO have been S.,
000 The insurance gross Is SIT ODu-but II beng on
the "nutual plan, will reduce the nett insurance to
Sl3 50O which sum will again be reduced by the value
Of the walls standing, md what saved from the wreck
Of the FIRE. SO that the LOGS 10 Tie church owners
must be considerable, probably eia eight thousand
dollars-,o say nothing Of the Inconvenience which
the CATION vii! suffer from the loss of their place
of worship aud the delays which must attend its recon-
struction.
As 10 the origin Of tho fire, by the best information
that we can obtain il broke ou FIRST in the Hotel stable,
abou; the middle tie upper part At about hafpas II
n'cock Dr. Jones stable caught from The Hotel sta,
Bile some time alter As how II caught, there are Sc.
reral runors. We are informed that negro mas Oeen
arrested on suspicion.
1t so happened that the Of wagons OF Cir
Gus and Menagere had arrived yesterday afternoon, and
they made their head quarters at the Hotel. And IL is
said that the wa,chman Of the Circus company reports,
that about o'clock he saw negro (eher an oster or
omnibus driven intoxicated, with light gong INTO
the Hotel stable.
During the night there was good deal OF wind and
several other buildings narrowly escaped, which, IT
they had caught there is no leiins wheFe Tie nrc
might not have extended
The other houses that said to have caught are
Mr. Spiman the Of The Masonic Hail. the Ma.
sonic Fall, Mechanics Hall, Capt. P"ards, Mr. Vim
cents Mr.. Smiths, and Mrs. Kennedys crate in the
yard Of Messrs. Dupuy, Rosser Il Go. also took fire.
MIR Ncsb, is sad deserves grea, credit foT his e1er
lions 10 The Masonic Hall
The merit of rescuing The Mechanics Hall, is prin.
cpay due, it is said, to P. II. Roach, George Adams,
Mr.. Brrrien, and Major Lyon The roof OF the Me
| -
places; the Tin being red hot.
Among those who particularly distinguished them
selves for their activity in saving property, &c, was
Mr. Joseph Todd, who, understand, is usually re
markable for his zeal and galIantry upon such occa
sons. The IN Iitary were also on the spot, and rem
der,d efficient service.
Much compliant is made Of the bell not being pro
perly rung-ofthe want Of water "a hogshead Of which
j. is said, might have saved the Hotel, if not thu
Chnrch and the inethciency ofthe engine companies
The p:css Of the has heretofore strongly urged
upon the citizens the Importance Of supplying, soor
% practicable the tows with wser sSa iks better OF