Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-27
coat, hat, and shoes He sustained no pers ona

escaped, but lost all else Dut tne little c!othlns
they picked up in the hurry of their fight.
Captain Q. q. McPhail escaped with his
vile and child. ALI their furniture, clothing,
and jewelry were lost, the whole amounting III
value to not less than 81, 500.
Mr.. Eldridge, of New York, Ia friend of
Governor Walkcr's,) was on one of the higher
floors. He had in his room valise contain
iug $500 in money and check for 81 ,OOO
Taking this in his hand. he wrapped blank et
about his lace and tried to escape by the stairs,
but was dri7en back by the threatening flames.
He then gave up all hope OF saving bis money,
and dropping the valise and blanket, succeeded
ia getting out of the window by aid of paint.
err ladder.
Mr.. Edward NJ. Alfriend was domiciled on
the fourth floor Waking sooD after the alarm
was given. be seized his clothes and ran down
stairs, kicking open the doors and giving the
alarm at every one as he went along. lie lost
nearly everything he had, including valuable
library.
On the fifth floor there wero more children
than in any other part OF the hotel, land it seems
almost miraculous that any OF these escaped
Hero were the families of the proprietors,
Messrs. Sublett, Luck and Bishop These,
with their wives and little ones, without excep'
ton, got out before single floor fell, and es-
capped serious injury. Mr.. Luck was afterwards
badly scorched in attempting to get the papers
out of the Office. 1t is not known that any
children were lost
Mr.. r. Roberts Baker, of the firm of Meade
& Baker, druggists, lost all OF his furniture
and nearly all the wearing apparel.
MIR. +. Cuthbrrt of the New York Herald,
who had room on the third f,or, only saved
the clothes ho had on.
Captain D. w. Bohannon made narrow
escape with bis wife, and lost all Of his valuable
books and his entire wardrobe.
Mrs. Boiling Haxall lost $4,000 worth of
jewery.
Mr.. George lei. Watt and family saved
more of their effects than the others named.
Miss Watt packed her trunk while The glass
was cracking around her, then dragged 1t into
the passage and afterwards knocked at the
doors aud assisted in arousing the sounder
seepers.
MIR. Philip Sutton and the family of Mr.
William Sutton are among those who made
narrow escapes.
The office of the Southern Express company
was under the hotel. Great efforts were made
to save the safes and other properly, but they
were only partially successful. The goods ro'
ceived ut the Office from other points were
probably totally destroyed, and their value
ment 10 other points were nearly all saved.
A strong wind swept the il1lues westward,
and the sparks and ashes flew all over the city,
causing serious apprchensions lest there should
be fire in remote places, while the services OF
the fremcn were needed where they were. At
ter the Spotswood. the adjoining building, oc
cupied by the Grover & Baker sewing machine
depot, E. Currant's house. furnishing store,
aad MIR. Hungertords banking Establishment,
caught and were speedily destroyed. Wolf
decke's cigar store andAnderson's tin and stove
depot we're then fired and onIyIthe. constant play
of the engines upon the building 90 the corner
of Main and 9th streets, known as Bosher's
Hall, and under which was the grocery and Ii
quor store OF w. D. Blair & Co., saved it from
following suit. On Sth street tho old framed
building in the rear of the Spotswood, and be-
longing to the concern, was partially destroyed.
At o'clock the fire was stayed.
Crenshaw estate and was valued at Sl4O,OO
insured 10 New York companies On building,
$50, 900; on furniture, $50, 600.
The buildings occupied By L. Currant and
others, aud owned by Jas. II. Grants estate,
were insured for $27 200. The amount OF Il.
Currant's loss is not ascertained, but is total;
insured for $4,000.
The property of Sublet, Luck T. Bishop,
proprietors of the Spotswood was insured for
$4,000.
Mayor Kelley library was partially destroy.
ed. 1t was insured Tor ST 900.
The Grover & Baker sewing machines were
insured for 81 800 Loss above insurance about
$500.
The Howe sewing machine establishment In
the hotel building was burnt. Stock loss s., O0O;
Insured for 81, 500.
~
valued at $4,000 totally destroyed insured
Tor full amount The building, owned by the
estate Of Denoon, was partially destroyed, and
insured for $500.
j. II. Marsh, music dealer, lost nearly every.
thing. and had DO insurance.
At the time the fire occurred the mercury
10 the thelmometre indicated six degrees above
z.ro aud The intense cold increased the perls
ard trials of the fearful scene. The water
thrown was Immediately frozen beyond the
heat of the burning building, and the steam
engines were covered with ice, notwithstanding
which stream was kept up on the debris all
day yesterday, and towards night tho upper
corner of The the standing walls OF tho Spots
wood was thrown down to prevent any acct
cident. No account is giving OF the origin OF
the fire, which proved so disastrous.
The Spotswood was completed in the fall OF
l8G0,and was splendid hotel, elegantly furnish
ed throughout.
Extensive COndagration In Harrison
burg-DestructiOn Of the Bank ana
n square Offrame Buildings. Losses
ana insurance. &c.
HARRIsoNBURG, Dec. 25.-Our town was
aroused by the alarm of fire ct . o'clock this
morning to find the rear of liquor store in
the square of frame buildings occupied by Ben
Long and belonging to Sbert & 90, on fire.
Mr.. Ben Longs store and Sibert's dwelling
over it, j. Wallis liquor store. Killers liquor
store, the First National Bank, Messersmith's
confectionery and dwelling over it, Vanplts
liquor store, Hitler & Bros. dry goods store
formerly Forrer's) and Mrs. Coffmon's dwell.
Jog over it, Swetzer's MISUNDERSTANDING es-
- n N,,ur, IN of1os lrok fon