Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-05-13
Terrible Fire iR Fincastle.

A terrible and destructive fire occurred in
Fincastle, Botetourt, on Friday night, last,
the 9Th inst. Thirty-six dwelling houses,
both Hotels, Herald Printing Office, and
every store and business house in the place
were destroyed, together with number of
other buildings-about sixty in all, leaving
thirty-six families homeless and number
literally without food and clothing.
The scene of destruction and desolation
is described as unequaled, even during the
war. The agony and terror of the delicate
females and helpless children, aroused in the
dead Of night, and flying or being borne
from their burning dwellings with only the
clothing on in which they had fallen to
sleep, leaving all else to the flames, is said,
by and eye witness, to have been terrible
and beyond possibility Of description. The
only thought and hope, SO rapidly did the
flames spread, seemed to be personal safety,
many narrowly escaping with their lives,
though we are glad to learn none we're in
jured. 1a l.aa. s.f
The fire broke out in the stable attached
to the Western Hotel, kept by Mr.. Leester,
which contained large quantity Of hay,
and when first discovered was no large than
the fame alamp. Every effort was made to
extinguisll it, but the combustible nature of
the material upon which it fed, rendered all
efforts to stay its progress futile The sparks
from the stable set fire to the Hotel adjoin-
ing, which was soon a mass,of lurid flames,
which were thence communicated to the
Jail, and the dwelling of Col W. E. NJ
Word, in the vicinity, which were quickly
consumed. From these the fire spread in
/. all directions, and only ceased its ravages,
when everything combustible along the line
OF its progress was heap of smouldering
ashes. H..
We give, below, as full list Of the loss
es by this most disastrous conAagration as
we have been able to get up to the time of
gong 70 press: {-..s.. .r-..i..r IS
J. B. Leester, hotel furniture, stable
and six horses Mrs. Price, hotel and some
furniture Judge 7. D. Houston, dwelling
house, furniture, office, and valuable libra
ry; Capt. J. H. Figgatt, residence and
portion of the furniture: Green James, res
idence, law office and portion of the library :;
j. B. Miller, residence aud law Office !:
William Glasgow, residence and library ::
Mr.. Switzer, store house and stock. Loss
heavy Mr.. Houseman, store and stock -
Loss large; DR.. Carper, residence and drug
store, and all his furniture; Mr.. Slower,
store house and large stock Of goods; Mr..
Leester, store house and stock Mr. Good
win, residence and part of his furniture !;
Mr., Mcdowell. residence and furniture !;
Mrs, Berley, residence and furniture; Rev
Mr.. Gray, residence and furnitur, Mrs.
Mackey {Postmistress, house and furni-
ture; Mr.. Goodeaheimer, house and furni-
ture; Mr. Crush, house and all he had ::
Mr.. Linson, house and other heavy losses !:
Dr. Steel, residence Herald Printing Office
stock and material Post Office; Mrs. Beck
ley, widow lady with several children
lost everything she possessed; Methodist
Parsonage and furniture, occupied by Rev.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick. . e.+. ,-.
The loss is estimated at from $3.50, 900
to $500, ooo, with only about $15, 900 in
surance.