The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-24
From the Winchester virginisn Oct -
AWFUL CONFEDERATION AT WINCHES



Taylor's Hotel is in ruins A fire broke out
yesterday about O'Clock, p m, in the room of one
Of the boarders, and that immense building is now
in ashes. The flames communicated quickly with
the building occupied a store by George w.
Hammond, and adjoining the hotel, on the south
side-and that, too, was entirely destroyed. Mr..
Hammond, however, we rejoice to announce, sue
ceeded in saving the greater part Of his large stock
Of goods. The wind was blowing pretty strong
gale at the time, and the sparks driven about in all
directions set fire to the stable and smoke-house of
Mr. VIM. Miller, and various other buildings on
both sides of the main street; but owing to the
praseworthy vigilance of our energetic fire
companies and our citizens generally it was pre-
vented from extending further than the block of
buildings known as Hof's Row, some SO yards
distant from the scene Of the chief confagration.
That block, occupied chiefly as lawyers and sheris'
Offices was entirely consumed, and now presents a
heap Of black and smouldering ruins. The libraries
and papers of the lawyers and sherifs were saved.
Every house between the hotel and the Farmers
Bank was on fire at different times during the day;
but as the roofs were well guarded, and kept wet,
they were saved; and hence their owners will sus-
tain no other damage except what may have been
occasoned by the removal of their property out of
the way of danger The office of the Virginian, not
20 Yards from the fire on Hoff's Row, was in great
danger, being several times fire; but, owing to the
noble efforts of our foreman, Fl. Brown, Messrs
James Fl. Copenhaver and M. Noax, who, stationed
and constant streams of water, that building was
saved and thus of course was saved the large store
house of Jacob Senseney, esq, of which this Office
is a part The courthouse was supposed at one
time to be on fire. and it stood within few feet
of the burning torrent which was sweeping along
Hoff's Row, it is wonderful how it escaped 1t is
covered with slate and to this Alone we suppose is
its safety to be attributed. 1t was filled with the
goods of several of our merchants, who had removed
them there for safety; and if it had fallen victim TO
the devouring element the loss would have been very
great.
Such conhagration has never been seen before
in Winchester by the Oldest Of our citizens. II
commenced about one O'Clock, and it was near sun
set before it was subdued. Had the wind continued
throughout the evening az il at time threatened
the greater part of Winchester would be at this
moment in ruins. We have cause to be thankful,
therefore, that we have escaped with comparatively
SO little injury We understand that Taylor's Hotel
is insured to the amount of $40 000 and the loss of
course will not be great to the proprietors. The
buildings on Hoff's Row were owned by the heirs
Of the late Mr.. Won Raisen, but we have not been
able to ascertain whether they were insured not
We have heard no estimate yet of the loss which
has been sustained.
Everlasting credit is due to those Of our citizens
by whose efforts the town was saved. Male and
female, white and black, bond and free, rich and
poor, seemed to emulate each other in the perform
ance of noble deeds; and we could fill page in
recounting the exploits of those who were active
perseverng, and untiring in their efforts to arrest
the fire, and save the property of those who were
exposed to danger. We purposely omit a more
particular reference to individuals, lest we might
do injustice to many who were equally meritorious
with those whose activity and zeal the occasion
fell more particularly under our notice.