Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-03-03
From The Bridgewater Jour- ,al Extra Of Feb. 2il
The Fire Fiend.
TERRIBLE FIRE IN BRIDGEWATER-
LOSS ESTIMATED . AT OVER $4,000.

AoSS ESTIMATED AT OVER STU, OUU.
On yesterday ever ling. about O o'clock,
while everything as moving along in
the even tenor of It's way and the wind
was blowing ga !e, the ever alarming
cry OF " Fire T ire !! Fire III" was
heard resoundinl through our streets,
hllln9 every sol Il with CONSERVATION.
Il was soc ascertained that the
alarm was uccasioned by the flames
bursting forth from the roof Of the store
room belong ing to and occupied by
Mrs. B. L. { 'ovlngton, Mantua- maker
and Milliner which soon spread to the
adjoining ed llices. The block In which
the fire origf mated consisted Of a dwell
ing and stor Groom belonging to JOS
Byrd, Esq, and occupied by Jno. f.
Sanger, ESQ.,, dealer in general mer>
chandise; and large and well arrang-
ed dwelling belonging to and occupied
by Mr.. Byrd, all Of which were ENTIRE
LY destroyed. The Westinghouse of
Mrs. Lizzie Arey, on AN adjoining
square, was also burred
During the progress of the fire the
wind blew perfect gale and il was on
~ by the PRoSIPTEsT, most heroic and
determined action on the part OF our
citizens that the fiery tongues OF the
flames were prevented from tapping up
many other buildings.
The residence OF Mrs. Mary b.
Brown, situated about quarter Of a
mile from town and the large Merchant
Mil of Isaac Marshall, Esq, about the
same distance of, both took fire. but
by prompt action were prevented from
a consignment to the flames.
The lots upon which the fire origi-
mated were entirely swept of every
building and only the chinneys are left
standing as smoked and dismal looking
sentlnels OF what were so recently
peaceful and beautiful homes aud busy
commercial marts.
Of course, at this early hour nothing
like an exact estimate of the loss can
be given, but it Will be found that the
following figures will not be far from
The facts: Joseph Byrd. dwelling store
house, wareroom, other buildings and
personal effects, SO 600; no insurance.
Mrs. 3. L. Covington, dwelling, store
house, ether buildings and personal
property, $4,000; no insurance. Mrs.
Elizabeth Arey, dwelling and cOntente,
over 1000; no insurance. JnO. f.
Sanger, loss and damage to stock OF
goods, over $4,000; insured in the
Petersburg and Connecticut companies,
Gen. j. r. Jones, Agt., 1880 each.
Geo. F. Dinkle. stable and contents,
fencing, &C., aggregating over
$4,000.
The greatest excitement prevailed
during the fire and many narrow
escapes OF life and limb were made
Mr.. Jos. Dinkle was somewhat severe
ly burned, and other parties more Or
less painfully, though not dangerously.
injured
1t is to be hoped that this severe
lesson will not 90 unheeded by our peo-
pie, but that a Phenix, like SOME KIND
Of a fire organization, will SPRING Up
out Of The ashes and be allie to mere
systemahca ly combat tie Plutoulan
flames than was done Oh yesterday.
We verify believe that the people Of
Bridgewater can more successfully
combat the flames than any others We
have ever known, and were they pro-
perly organized under a good leader,
would constitute the most efficient lire
company that. perhaps, exists IN any
village in the Valley. Let US not farther
delay this matter, but proceed at once
to an organization. Let a meeting OF
the citizens be called at an early day
and proper stems be at once taken.