Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-09
4 FIERY VISITATION.
HArx OF SUFFOLK IN AsHEs.

Beapsifui Town swept 81 the fiames-
IN, I.sssss aud the Insurance -Finrky
People.
especial telegrnm 10 the Dlspasch,l
SuFroIK, VA, June S.--Suiiolk is
one Of the most thrifty and beautiful
towns in Virginia. Its people are in
dustriers and cnterprisiag, and the
town itself bears evidence Of wealth as
well applied to business energy; but
Suffolk. like most country towns which
have large property Of frame build
ings. has undergone sad experience,
as the Ere which broke ont here last
nigh. has destroyed the business quar-
Ger OF the town, and thus almost de-
siroycd Suffolk itself.
The population Of Suffolk is about
$500. II Is the county-seat Of Nanse-
mond, and has been doing thriving
business in the counties contiguous.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The business.houses Of the town
were situated on Washington Square
and Main street. Here the fire origi-
mated. and here the destruction has
been most complete. Last night
about III O'Clock the fire was
discovered in the rear Of Mcssrs.
Hall & Holt's furniture establishment,
on Washington Square. As to the
origin Of the fire there are conflicting
reports, some persons alleging incendi-
arism and others stoutly maintaining
that il was accidental. The fire de-
partment here is inadequately equipped,
and although they used their chemical
engine 10 the best advantage they were
unable to check the progress Of the
flames, which spread rapidly and in
creased in intensity until the whole
block bounded by Washington Square
and Main street was destroyed.
ASKING ASSISTANCE.
About midnight the town authorities
telcgfaphed to Norfolk for assistance,
and at O'Clock this morning an engine
and detachment of firemcn arrived
and rendered valuable assistance. The
water-supply was wretchedly made
'quate, and this disadvantage was felt
most keenly. Had the fire occurred
month later there would have been II
better chance TO fight il successfully, as
pipes are now being laid in the town,
conveying water from a pond about a
mile from the city, and the fire depart
anent is being placed on a substantial
footing, making il equal to any emer-
geney.
A PICTURESQUE SCENE.
The scene at the fire was picturesque.
The inhabitants Of the town were all
there. Of course, and hundreds Of peo-
ple from the surrounding country were
attracted by the bright light and came
10 witness the work of the devouring
flames. A considerable amount Of pro-
perty would have been saved with pro-
per direction, but as saluables were
moved from one part Of the street to
another the flames followed with such
rapidity that at last they had to be re-
linquished. In order to check the fire |
several buildings were blown up with |
powder, and finally, about O'Clock |
this morning, by dint of hard work
and intelligent management the fire |
was subdued and the people Of Suffolk |
breathed easier.
THE LOSS.
The value Of the property destroyed
is variously estimated at between $685. |
600 and 1850, 900. Among the heayi-
est losers are c. Jones & Co., proprie-
tors Of the Suffolk Hotel, handsome
new brick building, which was an orna-
ment to the town James r. Baker,
general merchandise Darden & Ely; |
Hall 4 Holt, furniture-dealers Parker
& Hsrrell, William Ely, Jr., George |
W. Nunney, livery-stable and three |
dwellings Wallace Kilby, fine dwell |
ing and furniture store well stocked.
THE INSURANCE.
The assurances were placed as fol-
lows:
In S. X. Dunn's agency--Rochester
German, New York, s2,650; Agricul-
tural, New York, s3,l00; Fire-Insu-
rance Association Of England, $500;
Commercial Union, of London, s2,400;
Fire Association Of Philadelphia,
$4,000; Virginia State Insurance Com
pany, o. 1875; New York Underwriters,
SG.940; Phoenix. of Brooklyn, IS 800;
&eTmania, OF New York, sl3, $50; Pc
tersburg Savings and Insurance, $4,000;
Phoenix Assurance, Of England,
So, 600; Liverpool and London and
Globe, $1,000. Total, SOILS
In John IL. Wright's agency-Home
of New York, s4,5O0; Sun Fire Office,
$500; Hamburg Bremen, $500;
London Assurance, $4,000. Total,
$4,000.
joni T. Murncy's agency-Niagara,
of New York. $500.
Joseph p. Weber agency--Virginia
Fire and Marine, Portsmouth Insurance
Company, and Hartford, of Connecticut,
$4,000.
W. j. Kilby's agency-Mutual As
surancc. of Virginia, and other cOmpa-
mics. sl6, 100.
The burnt district occupied an area
OF about two hundred and fifty yards by !
one hundred yards, and within these
limits the work of destruction is COM
plete and the deSolation is saddening. |
The streets in the vicinity are strewed
with articles OF furniture and other
yaluables saved from houses which |
took fire but were saved. So great
was the heat from the burning build
ings. and such shower of sparks
was blown hither and thither
by the high wind which pre-
sailed. that houses fully two hum
bred yards from the scene Of the con-
Migration were set on fire, and saved
only by tremendous exertions. The
glare from the fire was so intense that
il was seen in Norfolk, twenty miles
distant. Among the burned buildings
is the Office Of the Suffolk Herald, con
Quoted By Messrs. Elan & Booker.
They lose their entire plant, valued at
$4,000.
Owing to the fire the commencement
exercises Of the Suffolk Female College,
which we're 10 have been held tonight,
have been postponed indefinitely.
Despite the disaster, the people Of
Suffolk are CHEEKY and plucky, and IN
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