The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-10


LAST NIGHT BY AN ACCIDENTAL FIRE
HARD, COLD wosK-LOss, 10000; INsu-
HaNCg, sl7-50O-DETAILs OF THE YIRE,
ETC, ETC.
The nrst serious fire OF the winter was
that wkfeh occurred ~ two minutes past g
O'Clock last evening IN the burning Of Mr..
James Deign Joues's steam tobacco manu-
factory, sFuated at the southeast corner Of
Franklin asd TweDtv.foprtb streets.
The fire was discovered, II Is stated. by
persons on fbe street before the walcbman
inside knew fsat the building was IN dan
ger at all; bW the watchmsn himself told
rhe writer that he discovered IL upon going
I'D to the third SDor, and he gave the alarm,
aud some one ON the street ran TO Station
80, corner OF Twesty-fiith and Main streets,
and turned iu the signal for the
fire apparatus. Watchman Bancalari
bad reported for 8uty only short time
before, and after sborf conversation with
Mr. Jones, who, 40 usuai, gave him eau
tionaFy Instructions. Mr.. Jones left bis office
and started up the street 10 attend meeting
OF the Board Of Direcsors OF The Chamber
of Commerce., of which he Is a valued mem-
ber, and bad been in the room but moment
when some one called bis attention to the
Gre. and he went out to'tud his OWE factory
in flames.
Tue first alarm was sent IN at 6:02. and at
6:10, after she arrival Of Chief Taylor, be
sent the second alarm, fn6iDg that the fire
would require more appara'us than steam
ers Nos. l aud and The Ch0rch.Hti truck.
This second slarm brought out all the rest
OF the fire department and the engines and
hose companies were placed'a- follows:
Steamer No. /. corner Twenty. fifth and
Franklin streets; Steamer No. 2, corner
Twenty-fourth and Main streets; Steamer
No. 3, corner rwenty-iftb ana Noin streets;
Steamer No. A. corner Twent, fourth and
Cary Streets, Steamer No. 5, corner Twen-
ty-third and Main streets; Hbse Company
No. 6, corner Twenty.thlrd and Franklin
streets.
Steamer No. [, which was at work at
the corner ot Twenty fourth and Cary
streets, went 10 the plug on Franklin and
Tweniy-thrd streets. but finding the Tenth
Street Hose Company there, the men were
forced to go 10 the plug just named, where
the engine worked successfully until re-
Iieved about o O'Clock.
The tire spread with astonishing rapidity.
II originated on what would be tue second
ffoor from the FfaDklD.s'reet side, but the
third flor on the Malnsfreet side, near the
southern end ofsthe building, in the drying
room. The watchman says he saw what
proved to be lieorIce dropping through the
floor, but what he thought was water, and
went up to stop theeak. When be got to the
head OF the steps be saw tire in tbe drying
room and got bucket Of water and threw
upon il; but instead Of subdulng 1t, 1t COM
menced to spread rapidly, and he ran down
stairs and gave the alarm. In minute or
TWO the Chief aud steamer Company NO.
were on the ground and u line OF hose lald
of,. The Chief went in with the stream,
and. not being familiar with the building,
asked the watchnaD 10 show bin the way
TO reach the dryiug-roOm. They went on
I'd 10 the second Goor with the stream; |;
| but when there the smoke drove
fought their way to the fire, but
were themselves at hsI forced TO come out
and renew the attack from the outside. A
stubborn and successful fight was made TO
prevent the fire from getting too much
beadway in the wing OF the main building
when ioins il on the east. II did, however,
burn much Of the loose tobacco, Just put IN
Yesterday: but the men finally drove out
ihe flames, and then confined them 10 the
main building, which, however, was totally
DESTROYED.
| AN immense crowu or peppiU Witnessed
the fire from The Deighboring hills and
sidewalks and watched he flames until cold
feet drove them to fires where they could
be more comfortable. The walls, or some
OF them, fell about 7:30, mixing beautiful
lslght. Several OF tue tiremen had very
narrow escapes, among them the Chie', and
the hose was caught once or twice by the
bricks. Hoseman Reynolds was injured by
falling walls, but not seriously.
The factory was not al work Yesterday
and consequently the origin OF fire cannot
be positively fixed, but it probably origin
a,ed from a sleam-piDe in the drying'room
, The probable losses are as follows:
On building. 7'0V,
On ock, a'0a,
Totsi...................... s2O,OV'
The insurance reported is rs follows:
On buiIding-Mutual Assurance SOclety...s 7,5O'
on stock-Richmond BanSing and insu- co,
rance COmDanN........'''.'''' p|oVV
Total.......................' |oo
Mr.. Jones bad large stock OF tobacco
on hand, one hundred and nIty thousan'
: nounds OF which was saved from riury
Six hundred dollars will cover The loss ol
, the wing building. which is not insured.
i The weather was very cold and the fire
men had bard time OF It, but MADE sue
cessfuI and creditable fight. The waite
+. from the hose froZe upon the men untl
their clothing was siff as boards. S'eame
No. 3 broke down and was hauled OF, an
I the old worn-out hose OF No. bursied an
number OF times. The plug'suctions
E steamer No. 2 also bursted, and that com
pany Is now without any.
, DEATH or Mr.. RoBINsoN.-M Williar
A. Robinson, an old, well.known, an
= lhpblv-respected citizen, died ut MS nom'
{ near this city, day before yesterday. nj
I, Robinson was a veteran Of the war OF ISL
ARRIVAL OF CARS FOR THE RICHMOND AN
v ALLEGHANY RAILROAD.- The Richmond AL
n Aleghany Railroad Company received ye
q terday Two handsome new cars-oBe reg
u lar passenger.coach and the other comp
}. nation car for mail, baggage. and passe
gers. Now that these cars have arrive
II two OF the cars that were frs. received W
g he sent to Williamsons for service on u
:. Allegheny division.
:, UuNpry DUMPrY TO-NIGHT.- Don't forg
g. that Abbey's Humpty. .DumDty Troupe. u
70 best company now In the business, VIII e
n b,bit at the Theatre tonight. to-morro
" night, and tomorrow afternoon. III yS
y want a good laugh, be sure you see u
= iiumpty.