Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1886-10-23
Salisbury I'm Ashes.

Salisbury is almost in ashes. A fire
there last sunday night destroyed the
principal part of tile town stores, ho-
tells, dwellings, churches, printing Of
fees, bauk-in fact, every building and
almost everything they contained in a
space of several acres was entirely con-
sumed. All the houses with few excep-
tiors are destroyed In the town west Of
Division street down to the Camden
bridge and out Newton as far as the NJ.
E. Church and parsonage. On Main
street, from Division to Duck streets,
there is not building stnding, and on
West Church street only one.
The fire originated In a livery stable
on Dock street and was rapidly comnu-
nicate,l to the business part of the town.
bv a gale of wind blowing in that 'lirec-
tion. The work of destruction is as
complete as it is possible to be. The to-
tal number of buildings destroyed WAS
loS, as follows Que largessplaningimill
establishments and lumber yard, SIS stores.
IS dwelling houses, stables, 9 hotels. 3
churches. 2 newspaper Offices, l opera
house. l postoffice, and hank. The
Courthouse was on fire several times,
but 10y great effort was saved. The luss
cannot be estimated. hut is believed to
exceed one million of dnllals-tIe insur-
ance is probably between onc-half and
two-thirus of tile loss. The origin of
Tie fire is unknown. Thehnstler of the
livery stable says that he fed the horses
at O'Clock and there was no fire there
then, and it is the general opinion that
it was of incendiarv origin. The town
could have been probably saved, if the
engine in the fire department had not
been allowed torust, and had not there
by been rendered unfit for use.
An idea OFFS the general destruction
and distress prevallingi there can. be
gathered from the following report to
the Baltimore Sun, the day after the
fire:
Nothing now emains of the rest por-
tioIs of Salisbury hut brick walls and
chimn-ys, which are silent reminders of
the great destruction wrought.
A large number of people are in desti-
tute circumstances having lost all and
having no insurance.
Every available place of safety where
furniture and goods could be put is in
use. Yards. houses, churches,l the
courthouse and Jail and other secure
plac are literally packed with furni
turr. 1t is piled in one confused mass
and no one knows his own. The shores
'of Humphr, ys's pond are lined..with
furniture and boxes Of goods fromethe
stores. 5.iafSH "a
Women and children were to-day
roaming the streets without place of
Shelter, and the scene is heartrending
one. Winter is coming TN and the suf
fering must necessarily be great. Many
losers are without the means of rebuild
ing. and subsequently the rebuilding OF
the town will be slow.
Several horses, hogs and cattle were
burned, and the cries Ct the dying ami
mails added to the horrors of the conf1a-
grafton
The streets are fille.l with iron safes,
where they were rolled from burning
buildings.
So many dwellings have been burned,
and the hotels also, that hundreds will
be without homes. What the people
will do is question that cannot he
answered at present.
There were only two or three stores
lrfts.at.. which anything can be bought
and they have limited supplies. Pro-
visions. however, are being sent in from
tile cities and the surrounding country,
and free transportation is being furn-
islttl for supplies both hy the railroad
aid steamboat companies, so that i'll
this respect they will not suffer. The
question, however, Of proper shelter
for all the inhabitants whose houses
have been DESTROYED is a more serious
one, as.many of them could not if they
had the means, have another built be-
fore spring.
The light OF the burning town. re-
flectpd against the sky was distinctly
visible at this point ami by many mis-
taken for the northern light.