The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-06-07
Destructive Fire in Lynchburg.

The fire which occurred in Lynchburg
on the 30th, a notice of which unpublished
last week, was avery serious confagration
over a quarter of a million dollars worth
OF property being destroyed. and some
half-dozen lives last. The fire originated
in the hardware establishment of Jones,
Watts & Co. Through the carelessness
of a clerk barrel of oil in the cellar was
ignite6 and in a few moments the build
ing was mass of flames. So rapidly did
it spread that it was found impossible to
even lock the safe, and the books, papers
and accounts of the concern were con-
Sumed. 1t was with difficulty that some
OF the clerks escaped with their lives. The
flames communicated to the VqTGiniaqa
printing office and the Commercial Bank,
both of which were quilted. All of the
papers and money of the bank were saved
but the printing Office lost everything.
The fire then consumed several small
buildings in the rear of the Firqinian Of
flee, and found its way to the large tobacco
factory of Flood & Peters. This building
was very old, and burned with such feroc-
ity that the flames extended across the
street and completely destroyed two small
dwelling houses. Friend warehouse, Hol-
combe'S Hall, and the fine residence of
Mrs. Cornelia j. M. Jordan were on fire at
one time, but were saved by the herculean
efforts of the firemen. Mrs. Jordan's
house was badly damaged by water, and
the furniture broken in removing it from
the building. All the houses on Main
street from Jones, Watts & Cos. to
Green's store were considerably damaged.
The Norvell House and the large estab-
lishment of Guggenheimer, e Co. were
covered with wet blankets and escaped in
jury. After the fire was under control six
men took the hose into the ruins of the
V1ginidn building to play upon the burn
ing embers.
They had been there but short while
when the walls were seen to tremble, and
before the men could regain the street five
of them were completely buried beneath
the ponderous weight. The sixth man was
knocked down, but escaped without Sc
rious injury. Not less than five, thnne.---S7
spectators witnessed the terrible catas-
trophe.
The names of the men killed are
Halsey Gouldman. policeman and eX-
fireman
Capt. w. r. Moore, freight conductor
on the Norfolk and Western railroad
James Clemens, employed at PAGES
warehouse
James Vaughan, timer
Felix Beldevre, bartender.
Their mangled bodies were eXhumed and
to their homes.
Capt. Moore, one of the killed, was to
have been married in few days.
All the military companies and
colored-were ordered out, and were pa
rading the streets. An immense crowd |
the scene of the disaster, and
the whole city was enveloped in gloom
Jones, Watts e Co., were the largest hard |
ware merchants in the city. Their loss is
estimated at over $125,000 insurance,
$32 900. This does not include the loss
Of all the accounts and papers. The Vir-
giaian loses everything, including the
building which is owned by G. w. Button
the proprietor.
The City Council held meeting We'd
nesday night and passed a resolution OF re-
spect to the memory of the men killed land
calling on the citizens to suspend business
and attend the funeral on Monday. The
funeral took place at the Opera House.
The Council also appropriated an amount
sufficient for the erection Of a monument
over the graves of the men.