Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-30
AWFUL CONFEDERATION AT WINCHESTER.

Taylor's Hotel is in ruins. A fire broke out
yesterday about lo'clock, =. NJ, in the room of
one OF the boardds, and that immense building
is now in ash,s. The flames communicated
quickly with tie building occupied as Store by
Geo. w. Hanmond, and adjoining the Hotel,
on the South side, and that too was entirely de-
strOyed. NJ. Hammond, however, we rejoice TO
announce, succeeded in saving the greater part
OF his largestock Of goods. The wind was blow
Ing prstty strong gale at the time, and the
sparks dtven about in all directions. set fire to
the Stale and Smoke-house Of Mr.. VIM. Miller
and various other buildings on both sides of the
Main street. but owing to the prase-wor,hy Wig
ilanceof our energetic Fire Companies and our
Citizns generally, 1t was prevented from extend
ing 6r,her than the block Of buildings known as
Hofs Row, some SO yards distant from the
scee OF the chief coniagration. That block oc-
cuted chiefly as Lawyers and SherifTs' Offices,
W. entirely consumed, and now presents heap
ofblack and smouldering ruins. The Libraries
aid Papers OF the Lawyers and Shertfs were
saved Every house between the Hotel and the
Farmers Bank was on fire at different times du-
ring the day, but as the roofs were well guarded,
and Kept wet, they were saved, and hence their
owners will sustain 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 30 yards from the fire on
Hoii g Row was in great danger, being several
our Foreman, ii. Brown, Messrs. James II. Co
penhaver, and Mr.. NoaX, who stationed upon the
root, piled the dry shingles with copious and con-
stant 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 part. The Court House was supposed at one
time to be on hre, and as it stood within few
feet OF the burning torrent which was sweeping
along HoH's Row, it is wonderful how il esca-
ped 1t is covered with slate, and TO this alone,
we suppose, is its safety 10 be attributed. 1t was
filled with the Goods OF several of our Merchants
who had removed them there for safety, and if
1t had fallen victim to the devouring element,
the loss would have been very great.
Such confagration has never been seen be-
fore in Winchester by the oldest of our citizens.
1t commenced about o'clock, and it was near
sunset before it was subdued. Had the wind
continued throughout the evening as it at one
time threatened, the greater part of Winchester
would be at this moment in ruins. We have
cause to be thankful therefore, that we have es-
capped with comparatively, so little injury. We
understand that Taylor's Hotel is insured to the
amount OF $4,000, and the loss of course will
not be great to the propretors. The buildings
on Hollis Row were owned by the heirs of the
late Mr.. Won kalsen, but we have not been able
to ascertain whether they were insured or not.
We have heard no estimate yet of the loss which
has been sustained.
Everlasting credit is due to those of our cli-
Zens 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 performance of noble deeds; and we could
NIL page in recounting the exploits of those
who were active. persevering, and untiring IN
their efforts to arrest the fire, and save the pro-
perty Of those who were exposed to danger. We
Purposely omit more particular reference TO in
'dividuals, lest we might do injustice to many
who were equally meritorious with those whose
activity and zeal the occasion fell more parti-
cularly under our notice.-Winchester Vir. Oct %.