Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-05-24
EFsOm the LyncAburg Republican,
THEFINGASTLE FIRE.
A Beautiful Mountain Town in Ashes.
THE LOSS 500, 900 sUFFEKINGAMONGTHE
CITIZENS.
AnAppsal for Relief and Assistance.

Il @O- @sSAAS-
The full particulars of the disastrous con-
fagration which laid in ashes one half of the
town of Fincastle on Friday night, May the
| 9th, of which a brief telegraphic report was
published on Sunday morning-wers re-
ceived yesterday; and they confirm the worst
statements before made of the extent of the
devastation Since. the dreadful visitation OF
! fire which reduced one third of Richmond to
ashes at the close of the war, no such destruci
ton has been wrought in Virginia by the
| same consuming element; and so far as we
remember, these two disasters, for the amount
of the loss occasioned, and the want, embar-
rasment and exposure resulting, are without
their parallels in the history of the State.
The origin of the fire was in the stable at
tached to the Western Hotel of Mr.. John
Luster, on Main street. 1t was first seen at
! 81 o'clock. when the flames had just been
| ignited. The alarm was promptly soundee,
| and the citizens rallied to the scene, punctu>
ally, prepared to extinguish the incipient blaze.
| The new engine was also brought forward,
and put into active play. But the fire had
caught in loft of hay, and as a high wind
was prevailing, it spread with terrible rapidity,
despite the utmost efforts that were made to
arrest its course. The first house that caught
| WAS Lu6 ItScll, anu Va uOoNOh
utbuldings, adjoining, all of which were
speedily consumed. BY this time, the dam
| ger and terror of the eon1agration began to be
| fully developed for the flaming hay and
heavy sparks and fragments of burning tins
bers were flying in every direction through
the air, lighting on roofs two hundred yards
distant, and multiplying the seeds of the de-
stroying fire. Ladders were employed to scale
the roofs of the houses, where water, wet
blankets. and every appliance were used to
quench the flames but as fast rs they were
suppressed in one place, they burst out in
another.
THE TRACK OF FIRE.
From the Western Hotel, the fire passed
next to the jail almost at the same time, the
residence of Col VIM. r. NJ Word, hand
some frame building on the opposite side of
the street, was caught and consumed. Other
houses on the same side followed, and Wig
orous stand was there made by the citizens to
fight the fire, but without avail. The engine
proved of but little service, owing to the num-
Der of houses simultaneously burning, and the
scarcity of water. which had to be supplied
from buckets. From Col. Words, the fire
moved up the street to the store of Mr.. Swift
ger, at the corner; also, across to DR.. Carpers,
involving that dwelling. and that of Mr.. Car
per, adjoining. in destruction. The fire then
attacked The Herald Office. And then, burst
ing from all restraint, it swept down Main
Street on both sides, leaving between Back
Street and Roanoke Street, as far down as
Water Street. a distance, perhaps, of 500
Yards. not more. than three or four tenements
Between Back and Main Streets, was left
the Court House-who<e escape was almost
miraculous and between Main and Roanoke
Streets, were left the house Of Mr.. Mcdowell,
| and the small tenement occupied by widow
lay at the corner of Water and Main Streets.
TIE LOSS.
Between fifty and sixty stores and dwelling
houses were burned. aud gaeat many out
houses. There is not left in town one store,
or Office, or business h"tse Of any kind !; ex-
cept that II mill. tannery. and blacksmith
shop on the suburbs remain and in these is
invested at present the business capital of
Fincastle.
The loss in money is variously estimated.
The lowest calculation places it at $500, 900,
and one very competent authority believes it
will approximate 100000. On this the in
snrance was extremely small not more than
$4,000. Mr.. Switzer had on his stock
very full and just insured-au insurance of
$4,000; his loss will amount to $4,000
Mr. Green James had an insurance of about
81, 500. Mr.. Lewis Houseman insured, in
amount not ascertained.
THE PREY OF THE FLAMES.
The fire spared almost literally nothing
Supplies of goods, provisions, household ar
ticles of use and ornament, clothing, money,
everything, were consumed. So sudden was
the alarm, and SO distressing the panic that
but little could be rescued from the flaming
houses And much of what were saved, we
learned, was stolen and scattered through the
country. after it was removed beyond the
reach of the flames.
THE NIGHT OF TERROR.
The fire lasted from 81 at night till o'clock
next morning. Then the path of the red
Spollyon was arrested but the whole day was
spent in putting out fires yet burning, and
preventing their spreading.
The ladies', we learn, many of whom had
retired to rest, when the fire became general,
exhibited the most distressing terror when
summoned from the shelter of their homes,
and turned out in their night robes on the
streets. But after they realized the situation,
many of them, the fairest and gentlest, worked
to the full measure of their strength; passing
along buckets of water in the line with hardy
men and stalwart negroes.
VAIN EFFORTS.
Several efforts were made to blow up and
pull down houses in the march Of the flames
but these efforts were unavaiing, owing to the
high wind which swept the great sparks and
burning fragments far and wide, through the
air.
THE CASUALTIES.
Fortunately, though the loss of property
was heavy, no serious bodily injury was sus>
tanned by any person. Judge T. D. Houston
fell down pair of steps, and was badly hurt.
| Mr.. Thomas Lankland was struck BY falling
window, and knocked senseless. He subse-
quenty rallied. No other accidents are re-
ported.
THE SITUATION.