The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-04
FIERCE FIRE-FIGHTING.
Burning OF Warner Moore's Manufacturing,
Bark. and sumac NilIs-Loss Estimated AT
$50, O,OOO-Seyen Mules Burned 20 Death.


Bark. and sumac blilIs-Loss Estimated al
$50, ,OOO-Seyen Mules Burned 20 Death.
Yesterday evening at 6:4O O'Clock smoke
was seen issuing from the buildiag on the
strip OF land between the dock and the
river, at the foot OF Seventeenth street just
TO the right of the old draw-bridge. occu-
pied by Mr. Warner Moore rs lime and
cement warehouse and plaster, bark, and
sumac MILL Station sounded the first
alarm. and part OF the Fire Brigade an
swered promptly the first summons and
was soon on the ground. The condition
OF affairs was such as TO cause a second
alarm, when more force arrived.
a fierce fight was at once begun against
the flames. which first broke out in the
stables in the rear and quickly found their
way to the large building, in which was
stored quantities OF tan-bark, the entire
crop OF sumac purchased and ground up
this year, quantities OF lime. cement, and
plaster. and a great deal OF valuable ma
chinery. The contest was an unequal one
at irsi, and a big blaze bounced up TO Il
great height, casting light OF strength
sufficient to reflect brightly against the
high church-steeples in the upper and
western parts Of the city.
The chief difficulty in controlling the
fire in its early stages was the inacces-
sibility OF the building-that is, it could
not be attacked successfully only on the
north (Or dock side, and the fire had made
such start before discovery that all the
water from the many streams poured into
the front did but little good. The appa-
ratus was all stationed on the north side OF
the dock, and lines of hose were stretched
across the old draw-bridge which spans the
dock at Seventeenth street.
No fault could be found with the
promptness of the firemen or machines.
As an evidence OF this fact it may be stated
that the Fire Committee had been in ses-
sion, and the Chief Engineer and a mem
Der OF the committee had Just seated them
selves in the Chiefs tire-wagon at the front
door at headquarters when the first alarm
was sent in. The Chief drove with all
speed to the fire. followed by his officers,
and by the time he reached the spot there
were three companies on the ground. The
hose was laid off as rapidly as possible, and
soon volumes OF water were poured into
and upon the building, but apparently
with little effect. The nflammabIe con-
tents blazed and burned with the celebrity
OF powder almost. and added to this was
the Stacking OF the lime stored in the build
| ing as the water from time to time
reached j.. This, OF course, added to the
| intense heat inside.
At one tme.i it was feared that the Rich
mond and Allegheny dock-connectlon tres
tie would take fire. or at least one or two
bents would 90, bat the company kept 4
| force OF men on the trestle with buckets OF
water putting out the sparks, and later Il
steamer-stream was poured upon 1t, ready
! for Use in case OF necessity. one OF the fire.
men lost his footing and fell to the ground,
but fortunately did not sustain serious in-
| iuries. 4 large crowd OF people, mostly
men, and with some women from the im-
mediate vicinity, gathered in the neighbor-
hood and watched the progress OF the fire.
The engines did good work and kept
the fire from spreading, and after awhile
got il undcr control. The eastern part OF
| the building was saved, but the stables and
the other part were destroyed, together
with all the sumac, machinery, bark, and
plaster. In the eastern part OF the house
| Mr. 5. p. Lathrop had IN office. He re-
moved his furniture, aud sustained but
very little loss. There were seven very
! fine mules I'm Mr.. Moore's stables, and
these were all burned TO death. One man
aged to force itself out, but fell near by.
and was dispatched in order to cut short
its suflerings, which were dreadful.
The building was Il very large one,
fronting about $50 feet on the dock and
running back about $50 feet. 1t was two
stories high, and built OF brick, but was
not very costly structure. The stables
were situated in the rear, and consisted OF
a frame shed. Here the fire first broke out,
but whether is origin was due to incen-
diarism or was the result OF accident could
not be determined last night. Mr. Moore
estimated his loss at about 100000, inclu'
ding stock and machinery. This, Including
building, was insured for the sum OF
$1,000 in the following companies, repre-
sented here by Mr.. j. Il. Moore-to wit:
City Of London. .'..p l'lNu
! North British and Mercantile Of London. !'LNO
l-0uu
Hartford tOnI.... .........s. .s''' i'oNV
Scottish Union and NatiOnal............... l'JVO
| Washington Fire and Marlne.............. 2,uOO
Total...................''' ..'''..''''''''''S i0'oUO
About 1890 the engines hauled of. and
| leaving the fire slowly dying out, but 1t
will be several days before The sumac stops
L