The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1870-05-13
THE FINcAsrLE DISASTER.

A brief account OF the terrible and
destructive e0nHa2ation in Fincastle,
on Fridap night, was given IN the News
Yesterday morning,i but as narrowing
as this account WAS, it seems to have
been far short of the terrible reality. |
From j. w. RyaI. a esldent of Fincas- |
tie. no visits our city tor the purpose |
of obtaining aid tor the sufferers IN |
their distressed aud destitute condi-
ton, aud from letter from Maj. j, j
Allen, a former resident Of Lynchburg
we learn that SO families were left EN-
tirely homeless, over 80 dwellings
houses we're destroy ed, and every busl-
ness house, store, shop, and drug store
in the place fell a prey to the flames.
The scene of destruction and desola-
ton, is described as one that was never
witnessed before, even during the war.
The ire broke OuS in the stable at
tached to the Western Hotel, kept By
Mr.. Leester, which CO obtained large
quantity Of hay, and when first discoy-
cred was no larger than the flame from
lamp. Every effort was made to ex-
tinguish it, but the combnstible nature
of the material upon which it ted. rem
dered all efforts to stay its progress
fire to the Hotel adjoining which was
soon mass OF lurid flames, which
we're thence communicated to the Jail,
and the dwelling OF Col. w. e. NJ.
| Word, in the vicinity, which was quick
| ly consumed From these the fire
spread III all directions, and only cras-
ed its ravages, when everything COM
! bustible along the line of its progres
was heap OF smouldering ashes.
The scene of agony and terrier was
one that beggars description. Delicate
females and helpless children. aroused
| in the dead hour of night. fled or were
borne from the burning houses. with
noshiug tn protect them hnt the cloth
ing in which they had fallen asleep.
leaving all else to the ilames, the only
thought and hope being 10 secure per-
sonaI safety. Many narrow escapes
with their lives; but fortunately none
were Injured.
The following is a partial list OF The
most disastrous contias ration that has
occur, d in Virginia since the fire at
Richmond in 1865:
j. b. Lcester, hotel furniture, stable
and six horses.
| Mrs. p ice. hotel and some furniture.
Judge L. y Houstoif. dwelling house
furniture. office, and valuabie library.
Capt. j. ii. LIggatt, residence and
pc, tion of the furniture.
Green james, resident, law Office
and portion OF the library.
j. b. Miller, residence and law ofiice.
William Glasgow, residence and Ii.
brary.
Mr.. Switzer, store house and stock.
Loss heavy.
Mr. Houseman, store and stock
Loss large.
u. Carper, residence and drug store
and furniture.
Mr.. Slower. store house and largt
stock OF goods.
MIR. Leester, store house and stock.
Mr.. Goodwin, residence and part Of
his furniture.
Mr.. Mcdowell, residence and furni
ture.
Mrs. Berley. residence and furniture
: Rev. Mr.. Gray, resIdence and furni-
tuIT.
Mrs. Machey (Postmistress), house
aud furniture.
Mr. Goodenheimer, house and furhi
ture.
, Mr.. Crush, house and all he had.
Dir. Linson, house rnd other heav,
: LOSSES.
DR.. Steel, residence.
Herald Printing office, stock and ma
! tcrial.
l Post Office.
/, Mrs Becklsx.a widow lady will
several children. lost everything sh'
possessed.
Methodist Parsonage and furniture
occupied by Rev. Mr.. Fitzpatrick.
With many others, which our inior
Z mant is unable 20 remember. :.
The total amount of the lossSis vari
I ously estimated at from $3.50, 900 I,
, s35O.OO0, the Judges placing it at tn
{ latter figure.
. The Insurance on the above is ONLY
; alb out $4,000; and amongst those wht
: are partially insured are MIR. Swtzer
I Mr.. Houseman, Mr.. Stoner. Mr.. Jane
: Mr.. Carper, and probably Il small a
: mount on the Western H tel. in n,
Y case, however, sufficient to cover tn
loss.
As stated yesterday, the fire is be
lieved 10 have been the work OF an in
:. eentary; but az far AS we are informed
: suspicion is not set fixed upon an,
particular person, IA the perpetrator o
this hellish deed, by which over 5O
: people have been rendered homel, S
and destitute.
Inc town which has, thus so disas
tfously suffered contains about 1900 in
habitants, and the houses consume,
numbered at least 30 of different kind.
or more than half OF the whole numbe,
III the place. -Lynchourq Ne,cs.