Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-09-02
DEsrRuor1vn FlRE IN CnARLEsrowN-

Merchandise, &c.-Between four and Eve
o'clock on Sunday morning FIRE was discov-
cred in the large aud elegant new building
of the Messrs. Sadler Bros, on Main street,
adjoining the new county Jail and the fine
building belonging to the estate of the late
Humphrey Reyes; and opposite the City
Hotel, Mcssrs. Light s. Mitchell's drug store,
aud the property of HIr. Warren Ely.
The FIRE originated in the southwest corner
of the building, in the principal Office of
Mcssrs. Satterlee & Co., contractors for the
S. V. R. r., in the second story, by some
cause unknown, but supposed to have been
accidental, and before water could be gotten
upon it in sufficient quantity the fire had
made its way under the Tin roofing, where it
could not be gotten OF, and it was soon seen
that all efforts to save the building would be
futile. The engine was worked manfully,
however, aud with the valuable aid of lines
of buckets, the most strenuous efforts wero
made to rotain the fire within the limits OF
the burning building and prevent its spread
to tho OTHER valuable property adjacent,
which in all probability would have involved
a large portion of the finest property in the
very heart of the town. The flames, how
ever, gradually enveloped the entire build-
ing, and the east end of it falling against
the county Jail set fire to that building. Tho
flames were finally subdued, however, after
portion of the roofing had been torn of so
that free application of water could be
made. Shortly afterwards the Kcycs build
ing was discovered to be on fire at the point
of the intersection of the wing with the main
building, but prompt efforts saved extensive
damage. The outer frame of an upper win>
dow of this building had already burned, but
tho inner irc-proof door prevented the
ingress of the fire. This building is of
fro-proof character, and now for the second
time has withstood immense fire on its
east side, standing like bulwark of proec-
ton to the block of valuable buildings to tho
west of it.
Tho Sadler building embraced within it
three large store-rooms on the lower floor,
occupied respectively by the dry goods and
grocery stores of Messrs. David Howell and
J. Ed. Burns, and furniture store of the
Messrs. Sadier; and on the upper floor three
Offices of Messr5. Satterlee & Co, the hall
Of the l. o. Good Tcmplars, Office of Justice
VIM. Burnett and law Offices of Frank Beck
with and Mcssrs. Baylor & Wilson. From
the first, efforts were made to save every
thing in the building, ard as far as possible
these were removed. The spread of the
flames, however. prevented tho removal of
ALL notwithstanding the brave efforts OF those
engaged, some Of whom a nost risked their
lives TO rescue valuable papers, etc, and
many things were damaged in removal some,
we regret to say, were found missing after
being taken from the building.
AT ono period during the fire it. was
thought that an appeal would have to be
made to Winchester for tho aid of portion
OF its fire department, but tho fire being
gotten under control it was abandoned. We
are pleased to note, however. that the 3. 4
O. L. r. authorities expressed willingness
to place every accommodation at tho service
Of cur authorities, and were prepared to dis
patch an engine and cars at once to Win
chester for aid.
Tho building of the Messrs. Sadler was in
surcd FOR sc, 0O0-IIomc of New York, ST.
0OC; Aetna of Hartford, $4,000; North
British, 81 900; and Phoenix, 81 600. Their
stock was insured for $1,000, in tho Pea.
body Of Wheeling, on which there is par
tial loss by damage.
The county Jail was damaged to the extent
OF S35O-insurcd in the Jefferson Co. Mu
tual, Farmers aud Mechanics of ". Va,
Aetna of Hartford, and Continental.
Damage to Reyes property. between 5000
and G2OO-insured in Aetna of Hartford.
The portico of the City Hotel was con,
sidcrably damaged by intense hoat-insurcd
il Frederick County (Md.) Mutual.
OF the personal property, Mr.. Howell
loses possibly 81, O00-covcred by insurance
in the Loudoun Co. (Va) Mutual; Mr..
Burns, large loss in northumberland
in London, Liverpool and Globe for So, 600,
and Home Of New York, for $500; MessrS.
Sa!terleo & Co. lose furniture, ETC., to the
value, probably, of 5000, no insuraucc-.their
principal books saved; Good Templars' loss
about s1OO-covcrcd by insurance in the
Peabody of Wheeling; Baylor & Wilson,
VIM. Burnett and Frank Beckwith, each
about SIOO or less, in Office furniture, books,
ctc.-no insurance.
Tho iron safe of Mr.. Frank Beckwith,
containing valuable books, bonds, &c, came
out of the Gre with contents almost entirely
uninjurcd
During the burning Of the Sadlcr building
a sharp explosion took place on the upper
floor, supposed to have been package of
caps for dynamite cartridges used on the S.