Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-25

en- houses, such was the activity Of
the fire company and other citl-
zens. that every building was saved
except the one which first took fire.
Several years afterwards, a fire
broke out in a wooden building at
the north end of the town, and the
flames spread with great rapidity.
1t was said that twenty-five build
ings took fire at the same time, and
but two small buildings consumed;
those two belonged to an old
gentleman by the name Of BenJa-
min Rutherford, and stood about
one hundred and fifty yards apart.
The astonishing exertions and ac-
tivity of the fire company, together
with the aid of every citizen, and
even ladies', saved twenty out Of
twenty-five buildings on fire at the
same time; and what was remark
able, but little damage was done
the buildings that were saved
a few years ago, there we're three
old wooden buildings on Loudon
street burnt down, but the flames
we're so kept under, that no other
damages we're done. About sixty
years ago, framed building on
Loudon street, which was called
the "Long Ordinary" was destroy
ed by fire, and an old building on
the west side of the town, called
"The Brewery" was destroyed by
fire. The author recOllects seeing
this building on fire. 1t is believed
that the foregoing statement con
tains a true account of all the
houses destroyed by fire for the
last sixty or seventy years. SO
that it may truly be said, that
Winchester has heretofore been
very fortunate.
STAUNTON.
This town may with truth be
classical ground. In the war OF
the Revolution. the Legislature
had assembled at Richmond-thc
enemy advanced to the seat OF
government, and the Assembly adj
iourned and met at Charlottesville
-TarltOn pursued them thither,
and they again adjourned and met
at Staunton-here they finished
their session. TarltOn did not
dare to interrupt them there, for
the best of all reasons: the people
of Augusta and adjoining counties
we're a brave, hardy, and active
race, well acquainted with the use
of the rife; and if TarltOn had
ventured to pursue them to Staun-
ton, he would in all probability
have met with another "COwpen
defeat" The citizens turned ont
manfully, well armed, and deter
mined to contest his march to that
place, and protect their legisla-
tors in their deliberations.
Staunton, like Winchester, has
incorporated privileges, its own
court of justice, is the seat of
Justice for Augusta county, and
the place for holding the Superior
courts of law and chancery for the
county,-ls the residence Of several
distinguished lawyers and physi-
clans, and is the site of a Lunatic
Hospital of great reputation. 1t
has several beautiful edlfices erect
ed for pnblic worship, and fifteen
or twenty retailstores, with four OF
five taverns kept in good style. II
is surrounded by many valuable
farms, and a considerable number
OF elegant brick dwelling houses
has several turnpike roads leading
to East and West, North and South
from which it derives great ad
vantages, and of course is a place
of extensive business. In all hu
man probability, it is destined a
some future day to become the sit,
of our State government. III
central situatiOn-the fine healtl
of the cOuntry-its contiguity t.
the numerous mineral springs-it
safety from danger of invasion
from a foreign enemy in time 0
water, present most cogcnt argu
ments in its favor and wheneve
our western counties shall be file
with population, we will have
considerable majority of the tre
white population west of the Blu
Ridge, and it appears to the min
of the author, that the people
{ the west will not rest satisfied wit
. their seat of government. in II
= present situation.
T, Staunton has become cOnspicuou
!. in the history of our State for othC
0 important reasons. 1t is the plaC
= where two large conventions
G citizens were held some years ag
= for celebrating on the great que
;, ton of reforming our State Coz
3 stitution. The last of which col
t yentions was held in the month
4 July, 1926. In this cOnventiC
; upwards of one hundred membe
}, attended. Their proceedings we
4 oi.oroo4ar;ya1 Inv 0rpaf fomnpranc