Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-08-03
Spirit of geffersulr
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
Destructive Fire,

Destructive Fire.
Stpee the war Charlestown hss enjoyed
most remarkable exemption from fire, but on
Tuesday morning last, about o'clock, the
startling alarm was s8tuded Id the ears of our
ctrzens, aroGsins them from their slumbers,
aud Greatiug an excitement to which they had
been strangers for so long a time. So rapid
vas the progress made by the flames, and so
brilliant the hight that flashed from them, that
there was little difficulty in locating the fire,
and soon the larger portion of the towns
population Was gathered around the burning
6uiliing This was the doubIe frame building
of JNo. R. FLAGG, Esq, in the heart of Main
street. occupied by Mr.. JOHN H. CAMPBELL,
as a dwelling aud store,room, and By Mr.. S.
ii Woody as shoe store, and. as residence
in the upper part BY the Misses WARE
When first discovered, the fire had made but
little progress, but the combtstible material
IF which the building was constructed, and
the dry condition of everything at the time,
made it at once apparent that any attempt to
'seauently the efforts Of the crowd were directed
to saving the surrounding property, then great
IL endangered. These efforts, which were
almost hercuIeau, we're finally successful, and
those present had the satisfaction Of seeing
the ragiug flames confined to the structure in
which they originated. The building in most
immediate danger was the brick house of Mrs.
N. G. DOUGLASS, occupied by Mrs. maxwell
as a boarding house, and foT while it seemed
impossiblc to save the building, as the flames
were spreading over different parts of the roof
Here the laburs of ntmber of our citizens
we're conspicuous aud efficient Ard to their
uuceasing exerti0us for over one hour, may be
attributed the arrest of the fires progress.-
Whilst the highest need of praise is due to
those who mounted the roof and struggled
with the flames there. scarcely less of gratitude
Is due to thUse whose labors kept up con-
slant supply Of water, without which all other
efforts would have been in vain.
1t is difficult to estimate the amount of
losses sustained by this fire. Mr.. Campbell
had pulley of insurance for $500 on his
stock OF goods, but nothing on his furniture.
Il large amount of which was destroyed and
even much of the clothing of himself and
family: NIr. Wooddy, we understand, was
fully nsured to the extent of his loss. The
heaviest sufferers. -aAd those towards whora
the generous sympatkies OF our people have
been moved with greatest tcndernTss-%ere
the Misses WARE, who had swept away the
accumulated fruits of years of patient toll and
praise worthy industry. They Sad no insu-
rance. and consequently. to them, the loss is
complete On the building there vas ar iusti-
rance of 81 600 which was slight coy:pared
with its va luz as it could pot now be replaced
In produce the same reuts, under $4,000 to
gIO 600
TIE fire occurred on Tuesday morning. and
on Wednesday. Mr.. Cuheu. the Stair Agent
+ the franklin Fire Company, arrived from
NJ cling and with the assistance Of Mr..
Eaw. y Ni<quilh the heal agent at once
proceeds: g. - .inri tle !osscs-ali the policies
axcent ,Aat m the binding hcing from the
Frank In COMPANY. We are informed that it
vac decided To paT Nh Campbell the full
amount Of his nar. nnce ), Mr. W"oddy's loss
was a,ljniyed tn lie ST 400; and whilst the
iumaGes TO the properly of Mrs. Douglass
.sare assessed by c6mpetent Judges ata fraction
oter $500. she *as ruled down to STD
These Losses. Il in stated, the company will
meet ut once.