Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-05-19


can, the full particulars of the disastrous
confagration which laid in ashes one-half
the town of Fincastle on Friday night-of
which a brief telegraphic report was pub
llshed en- Sunday morning received
yesterday and they confirm the worst
statements before made of the extent of
the devastation Since the dreadful Wis
itation of fire which reduced one third of
Richmond to ashes at the close of the
war, no such destruction has been wrought
in Virginia by the same consuming ell
ernent and SO far as we remember, those
two disasters, for the amount of the loss
cccasioned. and the want, embarrassment
and exposure resulting, are without their
parallels IN the history Of the State.
THE ORIGIN
of the fire was in the livery stable attach
ed to the Western Hotel of Mr.. John B.
Luster, on Main street. 1t was first seen
at 81 O'clock, when the flames had just
been ignited. The alarm was promptly
sounded, aad the citizens rallied to the
scene, punctually, prepared TO extinguish
the iRcipent blaze The new engine was
also, brought forward, and put in active
play. But the IRE had caught in a loet
of hay, and as high wind was prevail
ing, it spread with terrible rapidity, des-
pite the utmost efforts that we're made to
arrest its course. The first house that
caught was the hotel itself, and a member
of wooden outbuildings adjoining. all of
which were speedily consumed. BY this
time, the danger and terror of confagra-
ton began to be fully developed ; for the
flaming Gay and heavy sparks aud frag-
ments Of burning FINDERS were flying in
every direction through the air, lighting
on roofs two hundred yards distant, and
multiplying the seeds of the destroying
FIRE.
TIE TRACK OF FIRE
From the Western Hotel, the fire
gassed next to the Jail almost at the
same time, the residence Of Col VIM. Il
II Word, a handsome frame building on
The opposite side of the street, was caught
and consumed. Othcr houses on the
the same side followed. and a vigorous
stand was there made bv the citizens to
fight the fire, but without avail. The
engine proved of little service, owing to
the number Of houses simultaneously
burning, and the scarcity Of water, which
had to be supplied from buckets. From
Col. Words. the Ere moved no the street
to the store Of Mr.. Swtzcr, at the corner:
also, across to Dir. Carper's, involving
that dwelling and that of Mr.. Carpor
adjoining in destruction. The fire then
attacked che Herald Office. And then,
bursting from all restraints, itswept down
Main street OH both sides, leaving be-
tween Back street and Roanoke street,
as far down as Water street-a distance,
perhaps, of 800 yards, net more than
three or four tenements
Between Back and Main streets, was
left the Court House-whose escape was
almost miraculous and between Main
and Roanoke streets, were left the house
of Mr.. Mcdowell, and the small tenement
occupied by widow lady at the corner
Ct Water and Main streets.
LIE l4O-1s
Between forty and fifty stores and
dwelling houses were burned, and great
many out houses. There is not left III
town one store, Or Office, or business
house Of any kind except that a mill, a
iannery, and blacksmith shop on the
suburbs remain and in these is invested
at present the business capital of Fircastle.
The loss in money is variously estimat-
ed. The lewest calculation places =. it at
S200,U9e, and one very competent
authority authority believes it will approximate
$500, 00Q. On this the insurance was
extremely small ; not more than S15, 900.
Mr.. Switzer had on his stock-very full
and had just insured-a insurance Of
$4,000 ; his loss will amount to S12 900.
Mr.. Green James had an insurance Of
about $500. Mr.. Lewis Housemau
and Mr.. Carper, the druggist, were also
insured, in amount not ascertained
THE PREY OF THE FLAMES
The fire spread almost literally nothing.
Supplies of goods, provisions, household
articles 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
I o'clock next morning Then the path
Of the red spciler was arrested but the
whole day was spent in putting out fires
yet burning, and preventing their spread
ing. .
'Theiadies, we learu many of whom
had retired to rest, when the fire became
general, exhibited he, 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 mad6 to blow up
and pull down houses in the march of the
flames but these Efforts were unavailing,
owing to the high wind which swept the
great sparks and burning fragments far
and wide, through the air.