The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-28
LOCAL MATTERS.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN RoCKETTs-THIRTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY
DESTROYED There occurred about ~
o'clock Christmas afternoon one of the
largest and most destructive fires that hae
visited our city since the great fire which
succeeded the evacuation of the city in 1865.
The buildings destroyed were the Powhatan
warehouse, situated at the lower end of
Main street just below Rockets, and an
adjoining building owned by Mr.. Jacob s.
Atlee. This warehouse wss one of the Oldest
buildings in the city, having been erected
about the beginning of the present CEN
tury. 1t was the first building erected in
that part of the city, and was used for a
long time as place for storing tobacco.
These two buildings, With their contents,
were entirely destroyed. The portion Of
the warehouse fronting on the river, which
it Immediately overlooked, was divided into
seven tenements, and occupied by tenants.
The building, owned by the Richmond Glass
Company, was used, in addition to these
tenements, as distillery by Mr.. John
A. Sedgwick. The building adjoining this,
which also was destroyed, was owned by
Mr.. Jacob S. Atlee and used by Messrs.
Magruder Sons for manufacturing gusno.
The fire is supposed to have been the re-
suit of an accident-a pack Of pop-crackers,
having been ignited and thrown into the
air lodged on the roof of the river front,
Immediately setting it on fire. Before
the engines reached the spot the flames had
spread over the two buildings and gained
such headway that it was found impossible
to save them, and the efforts of the fremen
were directed to the preservation Of row
of tenement houses on the eastern side Of
them. These buildings had been hitherto
saved by persons who assembled the roofs
and poured water on them.
LAT this moment the Hook and Ladder
Company (Which was the first to reach the
ground) arrived. The ladders were put into
immediate use, and service was render
ed through their means in preventing the
extension of the fire to these tenement
Shortly after the arrival of the Hook and
Ladder Company, Captain Charters came up
with the two city engines. No fre-plug
being in that neigh borhood, the engines
were taken to the edge Of the river imme-
distely in front of Morriss's sugar refinery.
With great promptitude hose was stretched
from the engines across the leyee up the
hill at one side of the sugary refinery,
across Rockets roadway, and along by the
side of the burning square until it reach
ed the rear of the conhagration, 1890 feet
distant, and water was thrown on the burn
ing roof Of the plaster-mill just in time to
save the buildings in the rear, which were
beginning to catch fire.
Efforts were made during the progress Of
the flames to save what could be gotten out
of the burning buildings. Hay, straw, fod-
der, frewood, and other combustible mate
rials, were removed as rapidly as possible.
But one Of the most pitiable sights we ever
saw Was taking place on the southern Tor
riyer) side of the house. There men, wo-
men, and children, made houseless and
homeless by the confagration, were stand
ing helplessly around large pile of furni-
ture which was thrown together, broken
and dismantled, in one indiscriminate heap ;
q great deal had been consumed by the de-
vouring element, and what had been saved
was rendered well nigh worthless. On the
east side, also, people were tlinging their
household goods from the windows and doors
of the houses yet untouched, but which the
flames were rapidly approaching.
The total loss is estimated at about
$4,000, and was nearly covered By in
surance. We give 8 list as follows:
The Powhatan warehouse, owned by the
Richmond Glass Company, was insured for
$4,000, distributed among the following
companies: $1,000 in the Home, Of New
Haven; Petersburg Insurance and Savings
Company, 81, 900; Georgia Home, sl,6OO
Albemarle Insurance Company, Sl,6O0
Virginia. OF staunton, $1,000.
Messrs. Magruder Sons had $1,000 in,
surance on their stock-s3, 500 in the Geor'
gia Home, and So 500 in the Albemarle In.
surance Company. T ..sg 4sg'2
Mr.. Sadgwick was insured on his stock
and material for SIC, 900, distributed IS fol
lows: $500 in the Insurance and Savings
Company Of this city $1,000 in the Mary.
land Insurance Company $1,000 in ths
Jefferson Insurance Company, Of Scottsvills
Valley Of Virginia, $4,000.
We could not learn that Mr.. Atlee hae