The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-16
The W aynesboro Fire.
reported for the vIRarS1AN.l

(Reported for the vIRGINIAN.l
Between the hours Of one and two o'clock
on Wednesday morning last, the cry OF Fire,
| fire. firel was resounded through our usually
quiet Streets while the church bells tolled forth
an alike alarm, and railroad engine at the
| depot gave forth in sonsrous tones from its
steam whistle the signal of distress. The citi-
zens aroused from their sleep by these alarms,
soon discovered that the house formerly occu-
pied as residence by Capt. j. B. Finks on Q
back street was on fire. The fire had gained
considerable Roadway, and several attempts
were made to throw the building down. but
although an old building the frame, which was
composed of heavy oak timbers, resisted all eff
forts in that direction, and the attention of
our citizens was turned to the frame residence
of DR.. w. J. Jones, occupied by his and DR..
w. G. Goes families which stood just west OF
the first named house, with only narrow al
ley intervening. From the close proximity of
this to the burning building, and with stiff
southeast wind blowing, 1t soon became appar-
ent that this too would fall a prey to the de-
vouring element, and all hands at once turned
their attention to saving what was possible Of
the effects of the two families. With the ex
ception of two bureaus and q wardrobe con-
tanning all the finer waring apparel Of the fe-
male portion of DR.. Jones' family. with some
few articles Of an unimportant character, the
effects of both were saved. Next to and ad-
joining DR.. Jones residence, was the dwelling
of Mr.. 8. H. Lambert which was also frame
building, but intervening between the latter
and Dr.. is was one story stone and brick
building used as kitchen and dining room by
DR.. Us family. To arrest the course Of the
confagration further west and to save Mr.. La
house was now the aim OF the willing workers
who, to accomplish their object, tore the root
entirely of the Kitchen, and by keeping car
pets and bed quilts, already spread on the roof
Of Mr.. LIS house, satuated with water, and
pulling down with fire hooks the frame of the
burning building, the destroying element was
checked in its course and finally subdued, but
not without some almost superhuman efforts
ON behalf of those who SO untiringy contended
for the mastery over their destructive antago-
mist. On all the houses situated opposite and
west Of the burning buildings, down to end.
street, persons were stationed ready with buck
ats Of water to extinguish flying embers that
were carried In thick profusion from the burn
ing buildings. Mr.. J. 8. Walaces building,
standing directly opposite the first burnt
building was at one time in imminent danger.
The houses occupied respectively by Mr.. j.
Hammers and Mr.. D. d Dudboraw were sew
eral times ablaze from flving embers. Mr.. E.
G. Fishburnes house was also Ignited by the
same cause, and Mr.. w. M Chew's smoke
house was in like peril, but those stationed on
the roofs of each speedily extinguished the
threatened danger.
The house first burned has not been occupied
by any one for several months, and was the
property of Mr.. John Alexander of Back Greek
who expected to occupy it this week. There
are several theories to the origin Of the fire.
Some say there were two tramps who stayed in
the house on the night of the fire. and that they
were the first to give the alarm, but we have
met no one who saw those tramps during the
burning. 1t is our opinion that the fire was
the work of an incendiary who had laid his
into execution at an hour when every one was
supposed to be quietly at home asleep. There |
was no insurance, as far as can learn, on DR.. |
Jones' house, but on the other there was a |
policy of $500 in q Richmond company. Dr. |
Jones only purchased his property about one
year ago. He is at present in Philadelphia
attending to his interest in the Rotary Steam |
Engine patented by Dudley 6 Jones of this
place. We learn that in trying to save some
of the articles Of furniture in DR.. Jones' house
Mr. Green B. Jones, carriage painter,
was slightly burned by some hot plastering
falling ON him.
In. conclusion, we will say that too much
praise cannot be awarded those indefatigabe
men who, pursuing an almost forlorn hope,
still worked with an energy and zeal that We
have rarely seen equalled in combating the
scorching flames IS they would lick out their
fiery tongues in quest Of more prey, and dis
putting, inch by inch, the encroachments of its
devastating power, until by unabated pcrse-
yerance they saw their efforts crowned with
success and the invaders march stopped in its
mad and destructive career. Had it not have
been for those men our town would have suf-
tered beyond all precedent by this fire. x.
Appointments Of Conference.
The annual conference Of the NJ. E. Church, South,
closed Its session at Fredericksburg Tuesday.
We have not the space this week to publish the
whole list OF appointments, but will give them in
next issue. The appointments for this district
follows:
Rockingham District-Jno. 8. Martin, P. E.-staun-
ton B. R. Smithson Stanton circuit to be supplied
Harrisonburg, J. E. Armstrong; Augusta, R. s. Gun.
ningham West Augusta G. G. Linthicumb: Par
nassas, r. NJ. Williams Bridgewater D. Bush, 8.
Hilderbrand; Waynesboro, h. M. Kinzer; Mt. Sid
ney, J. T. D. Collins; Rockingham, J. s. Hopkins,
one to be supplied; East Rockingham, L. Il. Gray
bill: Port Republic, s. R. snapp; Shenandoah Iron
WORKS. A. p Bonde: Furnace No. 2, A. Boone;
Luray, A. Weller, h. A. Brow; Woodstock and Edin-
burg, J. r. Van Horne; Mt. Jackson, R. H. Wilson;
New Market, to be supplied; Shenandoah, G. o.
Homan; W. F. Institute W. A. Harris, president; J.
J. Engle, agent W. F. Institute.