The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-23
VIRGINIA NEWS.
Correspondence Richmond Dispatch.
LETTER FROM LEXINGTON.

DISASTROUS FIRE-TUE WHOLE TOWN IN
GREAT PERIL - PUBLIC MEETING
THANKS TO THE CADETS AND STU
DENTS LIBERAL CONTRIBUTION TO
THE FINCAsTLE -"JoHN-
NY REB'' JUDGE FARRAR) IN TOWN
ELECTION OF FISAL-HONOR MEN,
INTHE COLLEGE SOCIETiES-"J JACKSON
MEMORIAL CHAPEL THE WIFE OF
ONE OF OUR CITIZENS DOWN ON THE
DISPATCH.
LEXINGTON, Va, May 10, 1870.
We have just had narrow escape from q
repetition Of the Fincastle horror.
On yesterday ut 2 o'clock the basement of
the large livery stable attached to the ma
tional" told Lexington Hotel was dis
covered TO be OH fire, which was promptly
extinguished. The proprietor was 50 fully
| satisfied that il was the work of an inccn-
diary that he had his stable closely watched
all Of last night. and up to about P. nj.
| to-day, when the hostlers went to their dim
ner--about twenty yards of. Ten minutes
| after they left the racks Of the upper stable
| were i'll Il blaze which ut once communica-
| ted to the hay loft, and rendered every ef-
| fort to save the building utterly useless.
The fire company were promptly on the
spot the citizens, cadets, and students
| turned out en- mdsse, and only the most her.
culean efforts saved Governor Letchcr's,
DR.. Waddelrs, the hotel, the buildings on
| Courthouse square, and, IN fact, half OF the
| town from destruction.
A number Of houses on the Main street,
and beyond, were fired by the falling Gin
| ders, and only saved by the promptcst ac-
| ton.
Besides the hotel stable, the large stable
OF DR.. Estills estate, Drummonds carpen-
| ter shop. and several small tenemcnts were
consumed.
| We are unable to ascertain the full extent
| of the loss. The hotel stable was valued ut
| So 800, and was insured in the "Southern
| Mutual" for 81 900. Sir valuable horses
| belonging chiefly to citizens from the
county were burned, together with large
amount of proycnder, a number of saddles,
sets of harness, &c. The proprietorS OF
the stable Wright & Thoneburg) saved
ali of their horses (Which were i'll the base
mant) and vehicles.
! At i meeting of citizens this evening
measures were taken to organize Il hook
and ladder company and -" rescue ana
| protection company. The Town C0uncit
were requested to buy new hose and buck,
| cts for the fire company. A reward OF 500
was offered for the detection of the incen-
diary, and the especial thanks of the town
were returned to the students and cadets
| for "their heroic and sclt-Sacritcing
efforts" This last was most richly de-
served, for never did set OF men work
more faithfully or encounter personal
danger more heroically. $3.50.
Cadet Edmondson fell from house, but
providentially escaped with only some
severe bruises.
There is as yet no certain clue to the in
cendiary.
Our town people have just raised 81 900
in cash and large amount of clothing and
provisions for the Fincastlc sufferers, and
the county is being thoroughly canvaSSed
for the same object. Our adyices are that
this help is still greatly need by that most
deserving community.
johnny Reb" has just held forth be-
fore the Jacktewn University of the
Virginia Military Institute, and rip
Van Wrinkle" before the Franklin Society.
OF course, everybody was delighted.
The College societies have just had their
following result Graham Society, William
l.. Prather, Of Texas, medalist, and e. G..
Logan, of Kentucky, orator.
Washington Society-Alston Boyd, Of
| 'CinesSee, mciaiist, and $. u. Mccormick,
Of Kentucky, orator.
The "Jackson Memorial Chapel" is be-
| ing pushed forward with that energy anu
| sound Judgment which might lie expected
| of those who have charge of it. General
Smith is now making the bricks, and con-
| tracing for the timber, and the house will
| be under way before long. An opportunity
| is still offered to those who desire to aid in
this most laudable effort to erect at the Nir-
ginia Military Institute what will I've at the
same time the most fitting memorial that
could be dedicated to the memory of the
great Christian chieftain, and Il much needed
place OF worship for the hundreds of young
men who will in future years resort to that
great seat of learning.
The wife of one of our citizens has ''somc.
what against the Dispatch for u certain
comparison made the other day. She has
seen the picture in "EUe,y Saturday." and
pronounces the comparison "a SANDER"
| Others say that the SANDER is on the * he
| 0ue" mot "Keliac," rs your people put
| it.. De gustibuS, &c. LEXINGTON.