The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-04
[Frou the Richmond Dispatehl
THE RICYaMOND FIRE.

THE RICMMOND FIRE.
The spotsyvood Hotel In Ashes-.At least
Seven Lives Lost-$3oO.O00 worth Of
property DESTROYED.
The Fire Fispd has again swept over
our beautiful city, leaving is-its trail
half block of buildings in the very
heart Of the citv heap of smouldering
ruins, while seven or more lives have
been forfeited to satisfy its burning rage.
By this calamity the great Christian
festival has, to the eyes Of the people Of
Richmond, been stripped Of half Of its
accustomed joys, aud sadness reigus
this morning where so much Of mirth
aud gaiety was to be anticipated, in view
of the recurrence Of the favorite holiday
of the South.
THE sporswooD HOTEL ON PRE-.
On the morning of Christmas Gay, at
about 2 o'clock, Patrick Byrd, the night
watchman at the Spotsvood Hotel, was
sent 5y MIR. Knowles, the night clerk,
to cali the women, whose duty it is to
scour the floors. Going up stairs, he
thought he detected the smeIlo smoke,
and looking more carefully, presently he
saw it curling from fssure in the
weather boarding Of the old wine room,
of late used as pantry. The alarm was
;,,.,l;a,.,v o;ven and Mfr. Knowles.
and Df. Latham, Of Lyuchburg, running
to the spct, tried to get in the roon, to
extiuguish the FIRE. but found it impos'
sible to get in,withoue key. Presently,
however the door was broken down, aud
the flames were seen crawling up the
walls and licking the ceiling with their
fiery tongues. It was too late for
buckets Of water, and messenger was
sent to sound the Ere alarm. MeaD-
time the cry of fire was raised in the
house, and the halls Of the seeord floor
were in a few minutes filed with fright
eued, stupi6ed, haIf-clad people, throw
ing open the doors, and otherwise
clearing the path Of the fiery element.
THE BUILDING IN FLAMES.
Those who escaped say that in space
Of time almost incredibly Short tho
smoke had filed the whole house. aud
the flames made their way .hrough b the
thin wood work partition with fearful
Yapidi,y. The Ere department., not
vithstanding the extfeme cold, was on
the ground with remarkable Prsmpt-
ness, but the wafer could not be made
so speedily available. 10 less than half
an hour Ere vas observed on every one
of the Eve floors, and the passages we're
choking With hot air aud almost IN paE
pabfe ashes.
The scene vas one Of lndescribable
terror. Men, women and children were
in the burning building, and oil who
we're awake were striving to get out
With FIRE 90 every side and smoke
binding, sufocating snoke-penesra
ting everywhere, this was no easy task
to those not thoroughly acquainted With
the landmarks. The screams aud pray.
ers of the panic struck, terrified the
self possessed; the weak we're either
tramplcd usder foot % the enaroTstaira
or sank where they stot / pazniysed By
fear, waiting for relief Fortunately, hev-
ever, there we're thosewitbin ~do retain
led presence of mind, aud chose without
bold enough to risk the danger 20 save
. human life So far as it Is tno,gu, ali
n o left theirroo found means 10
escape. though with life alone; and
there vas no Womau's cry for bslp OF
Iislan,'s vail Of terror that did not bring
a man to the relief. Nest Of those who
lost their lives were ayaked By 6eding
the flames in their rooms, or semained
Lin the vain hope Of saving also their
property. The floors began 70 fell, and
| all 10 the bniMing then ceuld not but
perish.
paoaaEss oYsTHE FIRE.
A. strong Wind ssppt the aawes
Westward, and tie spiRkss and ashes
Ifew al over she ritys causing sGfions
abpre hsosioss lest their piiouId be Ere
10 rcrao,e PLACES, While The services oi
li;at lfif;ate aremei, xere seeded where they
we're. raifest tte epslsoSth Abs nd
I';oiniac building, occapfed By the Gro.
Iyar.1ks gaker Sewing sfachibe depof, J..