The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-05
LOCAL AFRAIRs.
DRsTRUC FIRE.

HuNpRED MEN THROWN our or EMPIoTMRHf-Fuf1
THOUSAND DOLLARS WORM OF PROPERTY CoHsunxD
most destructive fire occurred in this city zee.
terdsy morning, tho loss from which falls heavily
npon ten or twelve enterpsising, Industrious me.
chanics, who can lilly bear the suspension Of bust
ness, and loss of stock and machinery, at this the
business season Of the year. Among the sufferers
are Messrs. Green & Allen, Simms & Pfummer
Mercer & Hill, Lau Shuman, 8. Y. Landrum,
Daniel Hsgerty, j. v. Crawford, Vim. +. Simms,
John r. Rogers, and Geo. s. Lownes Co.
The IRE originated in the long framed build.
ing, on a lot bounded by 7fh and Sih and Main
streets and an alley north of 1t, which was occn-
pied by three parties. In the basement was q
large and powerful engine used for driving an i'm
mense amount Of planning and other machinery;
and az all the shavings and trash lumber were
piled up near it, to be burned Ia the furnace,
used for heating the boilers, the FIRE no doubt
Originated at that point. At an early hour Of
tho morning, the servant employed at the engine
kinded a FIRE 10 the furnace, and it Is generally
believed that ia doing 30. careIessIy permitted
the shnvings to ignite. Finding that he could
not extinguish the flames, he gave the alarm, but
before assistance conld arrive. the FIRE hsd spread
through the basement, igniting the plies Of dry
lumber, and eavefopiug the house 10 burning
sheet. Qnick as thought the devouripg element
forced its way into Simms q Piummer's large
planning mill, east of the engine; into Green An
lens sash and blind factory, in the story above
long building, occupied by Mercer Hill ss sash
and blind factory, aud burning with great rapidi-
ty soon cut off all ugress, and precluded the pos-
sioility OF saving any portion Of the machinery.
The next tenement that caught was the frame
one at the mouth of the alley on 7th street, occu
pied by Lau Sauman as fils factory, which was
soon consumed. Passing south, the flames spread
to the new brick building at the northeast corner
OF Main and 7th street, CONSUL ming it-thence east
to the frame tenement occupied BY Geo. g. Lownes
Co., as an iron rail- and CRATE faciory-then to D.
Hager,y's brass foundry-and then TO the brick
building. the first story of which Was occupied By
Wm. + Simms as turner's shop, and the second
story by j. v. Crawford, as sash and blind fac,
tory, ali Of which were entirely destroyed East
of the last establishment were two new unfinisued
buildings. owned by Mr. Simms, which were par.
TALLY burned. aa1 4a.
On the north of the alley running from 7th to
Sth Streets and in rear Of the brick tenements on
Franklin street, are a number of stables, five of
which were partially burned before the fremeu,
with all their efforts, could check the devouring
flames. =
The losses ard insurance, as far as we have been
able to ascertain, are as follows:
The long building in which the fire originated
belonged to Montague Thompson, and was valued
at 81 900; no insurance.
Simms Piummer, lose in machinery, stock
etc., $40, 600; no insurance.
Green & Allen, lose in machinery, stock, etc,
81 500, on which they have an insurance in the
Aibemarle Office of $500.
Mercer q uHls IOoo III WaCul0efy ana STOCK,
$500; insurance in the Albemarle office, $500
Lau & Shuman, lose In machinery and stock
1000; no Insurance. These gentlemen were
burned out about three months ago, and then los;
heavily. ..-.--.
SY Landrum, painter, lost in stock, ETC.. about
$1,000. Mr.. Landrum has opened a shop on l1th
street, where he can now be found.
Georges s Lownes Co, lost in stock and tools
$500; no insurance
Daniel Hagerty, brass founder, lost In stock and
fixtures, $1,000; Insured in the Valley Office fol-
$500. se11
JV Crawford, lost in stock and fixtures, $4,000
no insurance.
VIM f. Simms, tufher, lost in machinery and
stock, $4,000; aud in the buildings occupied BY
Messrs. Hagerty, Lownes Co., Landrum, Ian a
Shuman, Simms & PlumHer, j Crawford, anc
tvs unfinished teuements, of which he was the
sole owner. $40 900, on which be had no insurance
John T. Rogers, marble worker, lost 800 by i'm
jury to his work.
And Messrs. s. G.. Crenshaw, Vim. G. Allen and
Daniel Stuart lost about $500 by the partial burn
ing of the five stables.
The fire, at one time, threatened to extend itse
in every direction, and but for the untirng effort,
of the Brigade, would have swept the entire
square. Those who saw it give them great credit
for their ceaseless labors during the hour OF peril
By the calamity just recorded, We understand
that at least one hundred men are thrown out o
employment, and as many Of them have lost theil
tools aud will find very little to do for severa
weeks, those who have not been able to lay NJ
something for time like the present, may suffeI
for the necessaries of life.