The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-21
PETERSBURG.

TreFr BUILDINGS BURNED IN BLANpfonp-
xAppov ESCAPE PROM SERIOUS coNfhA-
anATrox-BuRGrARy IN cuEsTERftkIp-
urn pr.AxprORp CffuRcB--sESTENCEp Io
TEN YEARS IN THE PESTTEST1Ahf.
fcorrespondence OF the Richmond Dispaten'i
APRIL 90. 1882.
fire occurred in Blandford this morn
inc ,hout q o'clock. which resulted In the
destruction OF three houses and snght
damage 10 several others. The wind was
very high at the time, and II was only by
fbe most active efforts Of citizens ana nre-
men that n very serious confiagrafion was
prevented. The fire originated, as Is sup.
posed. from spark blown upon the ROOF
Of an unoccupied house, owned by Mr. VIII
liam n. Farrell, trustee, OF Richmond,
and quickly famed into flame.
This building, with the kitchen in
the ward. was entirely destroyed. 1t
was insured for $1,000 in the Petersburg
Savings and Insurance Company. "A large
double-tcnement building adjoining, own
ed NV MFR. Samuel Jones, Of Prince George
county. and occupied by several colored
families. was also burned TO the ground
insured in the Virginia Mutual, OF Rich
mond. A number OF houses In the vicin-
jty caught fire from sparks blown about by
tbe wind. and were only saved from de-
str,lction by the efforts Of the owners, who
sot upon the roofs and beat down the
flames. or quenched them with buckets OF
water. One dwelling, some three hundred
wards from where the fire originated, was
burned to the ground. 1t was owned and
occupied by Lettie Benn (colored), and was
insured for 1900 in the Richmond Banking
and Insurance Company. The city has a
very Inadequate water-supply in Bland
ford. and for this reason the Fire Depart
ment was powcrless to save the property.
The storehouse OF Mr.. Edwin S. GRECO
nv. i'm Chesterfield county, was broken into
last night and robbed Of what money had
been left i'm the drawers. Fortunately the
amount was not large. Milford Fry (co-
lored) was arrested in this city this morn
ing on the charge Of having committed the
burglary. lie acknowledged his guilt and
surrendered the stolen money.
Repairs to the old Blandford church
building are in rapid progress. The city
is to eXpend nearly 81 800 in roofing the
church, strengthening its walls, and other
wise improving it, so as to preserve the
structure. Some Of the old beams removed
by the workmen are as sound now rs they
were when placed in position nearly a CEN
fury and half ago. Sections Of these tim
bers have been secured for preservation in
several OF the museums Of the country.
In the Hastings Court to-day Solomon
Friend (colored), who was arrested some
DAYS ago in Richmond, was tried on two
indictments for observation-disclosures for
entering The house Of Collier Tabb and
stealing sundry articles OF property, and
the other for entering the house OF William
Field and and stealing S17j in money.
Both robberies were committed within a
few days of each other. lie was convicted
and sentenced to ten years IN the penl-
tertiary five years on each indictment.
A nolle proSequi was entered in the case Of
Moses Medley, sent on for escaping jail
some time ago, there being some doubt OF
the legality OF his Imprisonment. For as
saulting the officer who attempted TO az
rest him after his escape, Medley was fined
S25 by the Mayor, IN default of paying
which he is now imprisoned.
ROBIN ADAIR.