Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-16
LYNCHBURG ABLAZE.
A DISASTROUS CONFEDERATION IN
THE HILL CITY.
Half Block Burned-Generai Early
Loser-E1citing scenes-A Daring
Rescue.
Especial telegram TO the DIsps.ch.l

LYScHBURG, Va, September 1o.-Ine
most disastrous confagration that has oc-
Cured here for a number Of years broke
out last night about 10 o'clock. The IRE
was first discovered in the basement OF the
Western Union telegraph Office on Nain
street, but before an alarm could be turned
in the flames had spread to the upper
floors of that and the adjoining buildings.
Owing TO some disarrangement OF the fire
alarm there was some delay in getting TO
work on the fire, and when the fire depart
ment arrived almost half the block was In
flames, and owing 10 the construction OF
the buildings and the obstructlons 10
effective work. il was past 3 o'clock TINS
morning before the fire was gotten under
control.
TIRE BURNED DISTRICT.
The burned district extends from Tenth
street up the north side of Main halt way
TO Ninth. and down the west side OF lentn
half way to Lynch street.
THE FTRMs BURNED OUT.
The following firms were burned out
/ John A. Lee. wholesale seed and fertilizer
dealer; I. \. Larl,in, dry goods Lewis ~
Jennings, wholesale grocers: VI. Kraft, re-
/ tail dealer in cigars: the Western Union
L.
/ L. \. hlnckle. boots and shoes.
THE LOSSES.
II is impossible to gam accurate esti-
/ mates Of the losses, as some OF the proper
! ty-holdcrs are nOn-residents. and those
| seen give no definite information. The
| building occupied bv L. y. Larhn was IN
sured for 5000, and Mr.. Larkln estimates
! the value of his stock at @30.0 $4,000 OF
which was saved. and be had insurance for
| $4,000 Lewis IL Jennings estimate
/ their loss at S27 1000. with $1,000
insurance. The Western Union place their
| loss at $4,000. with no insurance. KRAFT 5
loss was - 500. with $4,000 insurance. +.
/ Crump states his loss at $1,000, partially
covered by insurance. +. A. kinckle estl-
mates the value of his stock at $4,000,
and he has $4,000 insurance. \ portion OF
this stock was saved.
GENERAL EARLY LOSER.
General Jubal 4. Early suffered some
loss, but most of his library, valuable
| manuscripts, ETC.. were saved.
The estimated total loss is about $780,
00O
The fire was first discovered by smoke
issuing from closet in the rear OF the
Western Union telegraph office.
SUPPOSED ORIGIN or THE FIRE.
IL started in the battery-room at the real
| of the house on the basement floor. and i
/ supposed to have been caused by an cleo
tric-hght wire and telegraph wire be-
coming crossed.
EXCITING SEEMS.
There were many exciting scenes during
Il e progress Of the fire and manv narrow
escapes were made by the families who
occupied the dwellings over -the store
rooms. One of the most daring rescue;
made during the night was that Of a little
white child who was standing alone at {
second-story window almost enyeloped II
flames.
A DARING RESCUE.
4 colored man named Fred. Collins
standing in the crowd, saw the child
peril and ne secured q short ladder an'
rescued her at the imminent peril OF IN
own life, AMI was very badly hurt by tal
from the ladder after he had the child II
his arms, but the child was unhurt. an
handsome purse was made mp among TIA
crowd and gwen 10 the man to-day.
SAM JONES AIDS THE LOSERS.
Rev. Sam Jones raised quite large sun
of money tonight for the families who los
all they possessed by the FIRE.
SPECIAL TRAIN TFNDERED.
The Norfolk and Western railroad place
a special train at the disposal of the city i
case they desired to send TO any other cit
for help.