Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-04
FIRE Ar HALIFAX COURTHOUSE.
Rtcbmond anu rrtersbu-g susu-
rance Comp antcs Sufferers.

Especial telegram 10 tho Disoatch.l
sourn Bosros. VA. June a--sondnY morning
between and O'Clock Halifax Courthouse was
visited by the most disastrous ire that has ever
occurred In its history. ~ that hour the two
story brick building on MsiE street occupied as
a BARRON by Moore g. Moore was discovered Ia
flames confined 10 the upper story. Tho alarm
was given, but owing 10 tho unreasonable hour
the crowd which Assem- bled Was sma all and totally
inerlctent 20 stop the IRE until Il had con-
sumed two unoccupied stores, w. y. Dickens's
store and FreDch's Hotel. known "a tue
Banister House or Butts Hotel. The scene was
one Of Intense excitement and the blaze was
seen all over tho county. All OF the houses de-
stroyed we're on the south side OF tho building
in which the FIRE ftarted. COiitnss Hotel, next
20 the bar-room on tbe north side, was saved
But for this the whole II Main street that side
OF II would have boon swept away. Owing 70 the
very light insurance the losses are very
heavy. Moore & Moore estimate their loss
a. $780, insurance 1000 in tho Wytho-
Vile Banking aud Insurance Company,
20 the ettate OF tho late Albert Dickens and
valued at tl,00O, had no insurance. The IN
occupied storchouso adjoining formerly belong
ing N James %. Clay, valued at 81 90, had al in
suranco % $500 IN an outside company. mo
next store. also unoccupied. belonged TO tho o.
tate OF Albert Dickens--no insurance loss $40
W. \. Dckeos's store was the next ana mere -
the heaviest loss OF all. Mr. Dtckens's stock was
valued AZ $1,000. with only $1,000 insurance
$500 in tho liverpool and London and Globe
aud 81. 800 IN the Virginia Fire ard Marine. Mr.
Dickens was able 10 save one third OF his
STOCK. lie occupied the upper story OF
tho house with his family. and lost all
OF his furniture aud household effects, worth
$3.50 or 5000. upon which thero was no In
surance. The building was owned by Charles
aud Miss Sallie Dickens. II was valued at 81 ,sOl
and had no Insurance. Frcnch's Hotel. owned
by Captain NJ. French, WAS an old and historic
building. being one Of the landmarks OF the
town. IL was worth 5000 and WAS Insured for
f2.60l. The hotel furniture was Insured for AUl.
Part OF the furniture Was saved. Captain
French's insurance was distributed among the
following companies: Petersburg Savings and
Insurance Company, $500; Virginia Fro
aud Marine. $1,000: Hamburg and Bre-
men, $1,000 Mrs. :. ". Darlington had
a largo quantity OF furniture stored In the hotel.
on which was no insurance. Mr.. &. c. Caring
toms rcsiiencc, next 10 the hOtel, was saved by
hard work. Hi3 furniture. upon which there
was an insurance OF ti0O, ves damaged ABOUT
f3.O. Tho cause OF the IRE AZ the Oar-roOm Is
unknown. The Messrs Moore left their bar
room about il:20 O'Clock saturday night, putting
out all the lights. and went 10 their home III the
country.
II accidental ~ was a very mysterious acci-
dent and vet there was no clue strong enough
20 make arrests Sunday evening. At that time
3 negro man named Robert Richardson. living
near Haines's Store. was arrested. He was IN
town Saturday, night Tho evidence against him
has not yet TRANSFERRED, but will be brought out
al the trial TO-DAY.