The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-31
LOCAL MATTERS.

No WATER-A FIRE--AN UNPLEASANT
PREDrcANENT.-As has been stated several
times OF late, the city is suffering on ae-
count OF the very low stage Of the water In
James river. and the scant supply IN the
reservoirs. The matter Is very serious
one, and Is having, as II should, the careful
consideration and anxious attention OF the
city authorities. On Saturday afternoon
three OF the steam fire.engines OF the Fire
Department were put to work-Nos. 2
and at the foot OF Tenth street,
and No. 3 at the foot Of Eighth street
pumping water from the basin, and fore
ing il into the streetmains, In order
TO supply as far as possible the lower
portion OF the city. These steamers pumped
in very large quantity OF water. Steamer
No. 3 was the first to break down, and was
sent off TO the engine-bouse about 3 A. NJ.
Sunday, and to be repaired as far as possi-
BILE. Steamer No. 2 worked until about 2
A. NJ. yesterday, when II bad to be sent off
for repairs, leaving steamer No. 4, the best
steamer now In the department, TO continue
the work. This engine pumped away until
yesterday, when the air-cbamber got out OF
order, and IL was stopped. The two other
steamers are Nos. and 3, the former CON-
paratiyely new engine, while the latter is
very old and almost unserviceabe.
When the engines were put to work Sat-
urday, Captain Fuqua, who was there look
ing after the work, notified the neigbbors
that, as two OF the engines were "wOod-
burners" they would emit many sparks.
and it would be necessary TO keep a good
lookout so as to prevent adjacent roofs from
being fred by sparks. Major CARRIER was
requested to close the windows Of his sta
bles, at the corner OF Ninth and Cary streets,
and ladders were placed upon the framed
houses near where the engines were al
work, so as to be ready in case OF a fire.
Everything worked pretty well until Sun
day morning.
Abont 1l:40 O'Clock sparks from the
steamer got into Mr.. j. e. Smiths junk es-
tablshment, at the corner OF Ninth and
Basin bank, through or under the strips that
covered the cracks OF the weather. boarding.
Although the men were in close proximity
TO the house the fire got into the paper and
other infammable material, and before 1t
was discovered by the firemen had made
considerable beadway. As soon as 1t was
seen the ladder was put up, and the streams
turned upon the building. Captain Fu-
qua was sent for, and a messenger
dispatched to turn in the alarm at the
Tenth.street bOse-bouse. Ii was found
that something was wrong with the line,
and the box failed to record. a messenger
was then sent to the truck-bouse, which
piece OF apparatus came down at once, and
IN fifteen minutes the fire was all out, not,
however, until Mr.. Smith had sustained
damage on building and contents OF about
one thousand dollars. Several hours later,
after good deal OF hard work, the trouble
with the fire-alarm wires was ascertained
and corrected.
The above are the facts in the case, as as
certained from disintereSted persons, and
it would seem to be a matter OF vital inn
portance that steps be taken TO properly
equip the Fire Department. Its needs have
been faithfully reported to the Council by
the late chairman, Mr.. G. Z. Taylor, and
more recently by the present head Of the
committee, Captain j. j. King. The COM
mittee, therefore, have discharged their
duty in the premises. In July the Common
Council passed Joint resolution appropri-
ating a sum Of money TO purchase new
steamer, in order that one OF the old ones
may be thoroughly overhauled and repaired,
but when the resolution went to the Board
OF Aldermen it was laid on the table.
Ii would seem from these facts that the
city is not only now deficient in water-sup-
ply, but that its tire-apparatus is In as bad
il not worse condition.