The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-04-23
LOCAL MArrEna.

FIaE IN CHEsrERrrKLp.--Afir IRE broke
out In CheetHffeld county on Friday las, between
Clover Hi and the court house, and destroyed q
large amount OF property. consisting Of houses,
wood and fences. When the FIRE was FIRST discov.
cred II was on the west side OF the Clever Hill
road and the neishbors expected TO subdue It with
out great deal of trouble, but between the hours
OF and o'clock, terrific wind sprang up, scat
tering the burning faggots In every direction, 90
that Ia short time the entire woods were wrap
ped In asheet Of flames, and flying eastward, bid
fair to consume everything within its reach. The
woods and underground being dry as finder,
soon led the 9 ames to the premises OF Mr.. Thomas
Friend, which destroyed his dwelling and furni'
ture, barn, stable, carriage house, and carriage,
kitchen aud other out houses, the family barely es
Gaping with their lives. Near the junction OF toe
Clover Hin and Petersburg roads, Mr. Henry WIZ
frees old residence was burned to the grounn, az
were bis fences. Mrs. Ciays, and Mr. e. w. Poir'
dexter's fences were also destroyed. The hre
swept on eastward, down the large body oil woods
known as the Hundreds Neck; and from Mr.
Friends residence, known as COX 8 Date, ooIh
ing GOALS were blown across the James river 10 the
oil antation of Mr. Henry Cox, On the north side OF
the river Along the Petersburg road large amounts
of wood were consumed, and we understand that
the fire extended South far as the city OF Peters"
burg
There is no estimating the destruction of proper
ty by this terrific cortlagratior, nor can We now
tell where it will stop.
We understand from q gentleman residing In
Chesterfield, that the fire broke out Thursday eve
ming and was first communicated TO the woods BY
sparks from the engine of the Richmond and Pc
tersburg Railroad Company. whose loss 10 quite
| heavy. from the burning of their wood Another
gentleman, however, assures Us that this IL mis-
take-snd that the fire originated from small
"new ground burning on the Clover Hill road. last
Friday morning, which was scattered far and near
| by the high Winds of that day.
DANGERoUs PLEAsURE-On Friday last
| three of our respected citizens residing in the
neiehborhood of the irst market procured sh-
| ing smack" and taking several children with
them, set sail down the river on a fishing excur
sion After enjoying for time the favofite sport
of Sir Isaac Walton, heavy gale set in, and
the water became 30 rough that they could get no
bites. They therefore very prudently hoisted ans
Choir and started for home, but the wind having In.
creased In violence they their boat ashore, Ian
ded their juvenile companions, and again set sail,
running to the South eide of the river, with the
hope OF thus getting their rail craft opposite Rock
etts when they could re-cross the strean1, and
make safe landing.
The "run" for the South side was admirably
executed, and the fiherInen glided along the bank
very cozfy, until reaching the point at which they
designed re-crossing, when the sail was hoisted
and the bow get northward at which time the wind
began to blow perfect hurricane, and the waves
to roll SO high, that the "trio" were forced to run
their vessel on Magazine rock. to save themselves
from destruction. Scarcely had the frail bark
touched this prominent point In the river, when
our three friends clambered up it, rejoicing that
they were at Least saved from watery grave.
Little did they think that the tide was rapidly
rising and that the huge waves that were grooming
and ioSm!ng about the base of the rock on which
they stood would eventually reach them, until a
mammoth one, rolling mountsia high, dashed it
self to pieces against the rock, sauratlng the fish
'ermen with Its spray, and reminding them that
danger was yet nigh. Wife. children and friends
rapidly filed the Imagination of our friends. and
the dread thought of becoming food for fish,
seemed too near at hand to be treated lightly. All,
all was lost, unless aid could be obtained-and
one OF the party fell on bis knees, and pay ed Ius-
tily for succor, while the other two waved their
handkerchiefs, and called loudly for help. Fortu-
nasely, their cries were heard by two gallant boat
men, who, at the hazard oftheir ives, manned q
small boat, pulled TO the rock, hook hs fishermen on
board, and landed them safely on shore, each VOW
Ing in his own mind never again to be caught on q
fishing smack In gale