Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-08-10
SGVGltY-SIE Houses Burned.
A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SUFFOLK,
VA-THE LOSS ESTIMATED AT
1900, 600.

u ~
yA-THE LOSS ESTIMATED AT
1900, 600.
NORFOLK, VA, Aug. 1.-Between
ii aud II o'clock today message
was received in this city that a
disastrous fire was raging in Suf-
folk and imploring assistance, say
ing that at least 1000 feet of hose
we're needed. Chief Engineer
Thomas Reville at once dispatched
steam fire engine No. ., a hose
carriage with l,l50 feet OF hose
and about twenty-five members of
the fire department by a special
train over the Norfolk and Western
Railroad. Later Mayor Ben Rid.
dick, of Suffolk, telegraphed Mayor
Baird, of Portsmouth, saying he
feared the whole town would be
destroyed, and asking that another
steam engine and more hose be
sent. Mayor Baird at once ordered
up the. Chambers steam fire COM
pany, and under Chief Engineer
w. T. Robinson it left on a special
train on the Seaboard and Roanoke
Railroad.
The fire originated about 1880
o'clock in an old warehouse in the
rear of the drug store OF ). 7.
Webb, in the Excelsior Block,
Washington Square, and burned
with the most alarming rapldity
and fierceness, causing great excite
ment and CONSERVATION, and was
not gotten under control until 3.5O
il the afternoon. It extended east
TO the Suffolk Lumber Company 8
Railroad, south OH both sides OF
Riddick street, and to the Norfolk
and Western Depot north, on Main
street, near Bank street. Seventy
six houses have been burned, IN
cludIng the Herald office, dry goods
stores, groceries, furniture and all
the drug stores. The fire Is i'll the
heart of the business portion OF the
town. Nearly the whole town has
been swept away. The loss is es-
timated at 100000.
The following are among the
principal losers A. S. Ely, drugs
and hardware, loss, $4,000, insur-
ance, $4,000; Col. Thomas w.
Smith, $50, 900 on buildings, insur-
ance Iot stated; the Excelsior
Block, owned by Ely, Darden y
Webb, valued at 100000, the in.
surance nearly covers the loss
NJ. Jones & Co., cloIhing store
loss, $4,000, insurance partial
Joyner, Watkins Il Co., clothing,
loss $4,000, insurance partial
II. T. Artman & Son and j. NJ
Butler x Co., carriage manufact
urers, lose together about S3O,OOO
insurance not given. With the
exception OF the stores Of Hall X
Holt, Ballard 4 Smith, Il. l.. Brew
er and the James p. Baker building
the entire business portion of the
town is destroyed.
Several persons were injured
About two years ago the town was
visited by a similar conhagration
The fremen and engines from Nor
! folk and Portsmouth did splendid
work after they arrived. The dit
fculty in obtaining water caused
the great destruction.
Some time during last night ont
of the three large barns Oh the
Long Ridge farm of George a. Wit
son, near Deep Creek, was set oil
fire by an incendiary, and with III
contents, entirely destroyed. Tit
barn contained large quantity o
corn, hay, agricultural implements
two new buggies, several flint
horses and eight fine mules, upoT
none of which, except the building
was there any insurance. Ih'
amount of loss was about $4,000.
NORFOLK, VA, Aug. 2.-Th'
origin OF the disastrous fire il
Suffolk yesterday has not been dis
covered. Eghty.six business
places and dwellings were burned
besides number OF small estab
lishments. The apartments abov'
several of the bnrned stores werl
occupied by families and as sleep
ing.roOms, and but very little wal
saved from them. Many persons
were left almost entirely destitute
But for for the .lromptness of TIN
firemen from Norfolk and Ports
mouth the larger part OF the towI
would doubtless have been burn
ed. AS it is, about eight acres III
in RUNS. The loss is estimated a
about $45O,OO0; insurance abou
$35O,0OO. The ladies of the tow
turned out and worked with a will
The rumors which prevailed of th
loss of life were unfounded as n
one was killed and but few hurt.
This is the latest: Hon. Til
Campbell to Hon. Tom Reed
"what do yez think ay the DimmC
cratic ticket"
Hon. Tom Reed tremendously
-"As an Englishman, | am pleas
ed. What do you think OF the re
publican ticket u
Hon. Tim (sarcastically)-"Bz