The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-10
AFAMOUs OLD COLONIAL RELIC
The Oid Powder Magazine in Williams
burg Threatened with He,truction ~

The Old Powder Magazine in Williams.
burg Threatened with ne,truciion B.,
s's-.s
Correspondence Of the TimcsI
WILLIAMSBURG. September 9. - The
Sunday morning slumbcrs of the citi-
zens Of Williamsburg were rudeiy
/ broken by the cry Of fire. An alarm
/ ing cry az all times. but doubly 50
where there is no fire brigade, and
people recognize tie fact that their
homes are probably at the mercy of ad-
vancing flames.
Williamsburg has suffered terribly
from tire -irce her foundation. tao
centudes ago. as The Colonial Capital.
First fell the Stale House. built To face
William and Mary College, NJ the lower
end of Duke Of Gloucester street. the
second building. which arose on the
same site IN the foIm Of she letter H.
was made famous by Lord Dunmore' s
ei ctment of the eighty-nine Burges ses.
who Immediately thereafter marched
in body to the Rilcieh Tavern. and
there passed. in the Apollo Hall. the
memorable resolutions against the use
OF tea and all East India commodities
IL was from this Safe House that
Patrick nenry's patriotic ontbursl
"CW ar had his Brutns Charles J. his
Cromwell and George III. may pr lii
by hIs example. has echoed down he
corridors Of time. Though every pre-
caution was taken 10 preserve It from
destruction, even 10 the exclusion of
fire and lights within IT'S walls, This
ediiiee was also destroyed by fire.
The College Cf William and Mary has
three times been the victim OF deY0ur-
ing flames. The Raleigh Tavern, with
its leaden eiligy of Sir Walter Raleigh
fell thirty years ago. covering with its
ashes alt the events Of historic interest
with which 1t was associated. with the
traditions of 22d February balls, where
flying hours were chased by lightly
tripping feet.
Innumerabie private residences have /
fallen before the fiery foe, and this /
when the alarm was given I
that the Colonial powder magazine was
in danger from burning building near /
by. many heart sank in CONSERVATION. /
4 volunteer fire brigade was soon I
at work with a small engine, CT pump, /
from the Eastern Lunatic Asylum. aHd I
under the efficient direction Of the may /
or of the city, and The active and intel (
ligent work of Mes.rs. Deane and /
Beale with many others. the burning
Roof was saved aud the progress Of the
fire arrested, but not without the loss
Of the oddly shaped cupola on its top
aud the lightning rod.
This building is probably one Of the
most interesting in the State from its
with stormy courts ia colo
nial and revolutionary history. Ii has
been recently purchased by the Colonial
Capital Branch Of the Association for
he Preservation OF Virginia Antiquities
with the view of converting 1t into a
museum. No progress has, however.
been made in THAI direction owing to
he difficulty of obtsIning the services
# skilled mt chanic 10 pat il in proper
epair.
The executive board Of the Colonial
,apilal Branch would be glad to hear
rom any mechanic prepared and will
ug to undertake this work.
special TO the Times
WILLIAMSBURG. Va, September o.
About 6 0 clock yesterday morning Mr..
/. K. Harfel's 5 stables were discovered
0 be on fire. aud tn q short time were
ntlrelY consumed. The hotses aud
lOst of the harness were saved. The
Id lowder magazine near by,was saved
'ith the greatest difficulty after a por- {
on of lis already diiapidated roof had
cen destroyed. Owing 10 the preva !
,nce Of an easteriy gale. which blew ;
ne flames III an opposite direction. that 4
ID building, the hotel properly and The /
III clurt-hou,e owe their safety.