Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-05-24
A oALL FoR ASSISTANCE.

In our last number wo published brief
netice of the terrible FIRE in Fincastle, Va,
on the night of the 9th instant, by which one
half of this beautiful town was laid in ashes
To-day we lay before our readers full ac>
count of the awfu! calamity, as we'll as an OPP
peal from the sufferers for assistance. by this
conaagration some sixty families, and over
three hundred people; are houseless and home
less, and many of them without food or cloth
ing, and when the informant of the Lynchburg
Republican left the scene, the available pro-
visions in the place, amounting to fifteen bar
rels of -four and a small amount of meat, were
being issued by tho pound to the destitute
citizens Such is.the condition of affairs at
this once thriving little Virginia town, and
now, nobIe-hearted citizens of Jefferson, to
you comes an appeal for aid in this trying
emergency, which we are sure will meet with
a cordial response. Several hundred per-
sous-from the babe in its mothers arms, to
the gray-haired old maQ-who, but few
short days ago, were in the full enjoyment of
the comforts of life, and with homes as happy
rs yours, are now penniIess and destitute,
with naught to mark the spot of their former
abodes, save smouldering ruins and blackcned
chimneys.
We are proud that VIC have a county pro-
verbal for its charity and noble generosity,
and are quite sure that in this call for as
sistance Jefferson will acquit herself as hand
somely as in the past. A few years ago, when
the beautiful city of Norfolk was visited by
that terrible acourse. the yellow fever, and
hundreds were being swept away by the pes
thence, the first meeting in aid of the suffer-
ing city was held in Charestown, and hand
some contribution forwarded to their relief
And so in the late war, the houses Of our peo
pie were thrown open to our gallant soldiers,
and everything that could contribute tc their
comfort and welfare, cheerfuly given. Since
that period, when our icl!uw-citizens of the
South were on 4hc verge Of starvation, our
noble county was again enc of the first to enter
the aroma. and with food and money, rally to
their relief. We are aware that our people
are poor. and money scarcer with, US at present
than ever before, Dut thlS Is 4 pressing cali,
one that comes to US in the name of christi>
anity and humanity; call to Us as Yirginians,
(for no imaginary liues can scperate us from
the glorious Old Dominion) for Pecuniary aid
and assistance in a trying hour, and though
each may give but little, ali added together
will swell to a grand aggregate, and be received
with heartfelt gratitude by the sufferers at
Fincastle.
Subscription lists have been aponcd, at the
principal business houses CT Char'esown
where persons desiring TO contribute to this
object may have opportunity to do So
This should not stop in Charlos;own either,
but let our business men in the other towns
and villages of the county open lists, and use
their efforts in behalf of this cause. If this
is done, we hope our friends viii forward US,
on Monday of each week, a list of the names
of the contributors, and the amounts con-
tributed, that we may have them for publ
cation.
Clothing is especially wanted, and that suit
able for all ages, from infants to old people.
Let action be prompt, and the charity album
dant.