Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-08-24
burning of the Episoopal Parsonage-

LAuTnluS VI Gu6 bplSCOpal IdTSOudSe
: ANOTHER FIRE.-Again have the slumbers
of our people been disturbed by the startling
midnight fire alarm. On Friday morning
last, between one and two o'clock, the Epis-
copal Parsonage of this, town was discovered
to be burning, but such progress had the flames
made, that no effortsto save the building from
destruction, could prove successful. To save
the furniture of the house, and to prevent the
further spread of the fire, was all that could
be done, and to this eud the energies of our
citizens werc directed, we are glad to say, with
almost entire success.
The circumstance5 under which this fire
occurred, leave not the slightest doubt as to its
origin, and establish the fact that we have not
only inccndaries, but heartless plunderers in
our midst. Tho Rector of the Parish, Rev.
also the members of his family, and the horse,
as a consequence, without an occupant This
fact was doubtless veil Known to the party or
parties, upon whom rest the guilt oil thus CRIME
From all the information we have been able
to gather, it seems that entrance to tile w'n9
of the house was effected through one OF the
back doors, and the house pretty Thoroughly
numbered of such articles as could be con-
yenientIy carried away. Trunks were riheo
of their contents, beds stripped OF their cover
ing, and the clothing of the Rector and his
f,milv smuggled off. This was discovered by
those who first reached the house, and com>
menced the removal of the furniture. La near
" every room, the indications Of the recent
plumber were perceptible. Having secured
their booty without creating alarm, the rob-
bers, either through gross carelessness or de-
sisn-the latter we suspect-fred the house,
and in an hour or two it was MASS of smOk
ing aud clIarreI ruins.
Upon the building there was no insurance
We have heard no estimate of its value, but
it will cost the congregation a considerable
amount to replace it. MIR. Meade's individ-
ual loss it is difficult to estimatc-cOmposed
Us it is of such articles Us must necessarily
subject him to great inconvenience.
Who perpetratcd this diaboical deed is
question yet to be solved, and it is one in
which every property owner, and every good
Citizen Vi lllS 10 OCcpIS IulClcSlCu
II the ministers of God are robbed, and their
habitations burned to the ground, WAC. may
expect to escape? Although the fact Of this
robbery was one well established, and known
to every man in lie town, il two hours after
the fire was discovered, not single house
was searched or a cabin entered to ascertain
who had committed tia offence, and up 20
this hour the whole matter remains cnvclOped
in doubt and darkness. We have thrown
out some suggestions in our editorial columns
which we hope will have the effect of more
thoroughly arousing the people of the town.
1t becomes them to be on the lookout. One
effect this last Gre has had-it has given fresh
impetus to the organization of q FIRE depart
mcnt, aud we may calculate now upon an eff
eicnt fire company in short time.
On Friday meeting Of the vestry of the
church was held, at which resolutions were
adopted expressive oil! the gratitude OF the con
gregatiOn 10 the citizens OF the town who so
zcalousiy laborcd to preserve .h2 parsonage
property.