Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-17

the SUM- stu che halls, where the scene was
CIV sutnl one. The gas must have been
81 al. out by the dense smoke, for the halls
~, - soon in total darkness, ! did not
sefe v,s. Dwyer again until We met OH
s see . rrnund-aoor. I lost all Of my per-
s sao effects except my watch and mo-
ney." ruv rrp,
The hotels near by were thronged by
.,dso ohio 80 recently had found COM
s .nu, ousrters at the Leland. The
=. . vi Sotels were filed with regular
ouosts lint the doors were thrown open
So T,arters shared. Clothing was pro-
anu Gov those who lost their all until
~ ~ could be provided for. and this
morning some Of the guests could hardly
racooni2e themselves IN their monde.
acr ~ make-ups. How the fire originated
y ~ ~, vet definitely determined, and
- = Joubtful il il ever will be, 50 rapid
,ra 10 tbe nrogress of the flames. 1t is
,hn,cbt however. that it started in the
haIe1v adjoining the kitchen. John
Brakeman, night CLERK, was sitting in
the Office. and the first he Knew was
VIC, WV one OF the night-hands opened the
rear door and the Office was filled with
smoke The bells were at once set to
work and every endeavor was made to
awaken the sleeping guests
RAPID PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.
Tn Twenty-Five minutes from the first
oIorr, the northern side of the building
fell in SO rapid was the progress OF the
fire. Fifteen minutes later the centre OF
tbe eastern wall fell with terrific crash.
Al / 40 the west walls fell, carrying with
them a two-story brick building on west
Favette street occupied by the Curtis
Manufacturing Company and Charles NJ.
Gibbs The southeast wall fell soon
afterwgrd. and when daylight broke
all that remained standing OF the beauti-
fnl structure was q section OF the north
cost corner and the elevator-shaft.
The latter stood like a monument,
threatening to fall at any moment.
Fortunately there was little or no WIND
and the mighty volume OF flame rose
high in the air. raining down showers OF
SHARKS and burning embers on the vast
crowds which had assembled ana en-
dangering nearby property. The freight
department of the American Express:
Company. located on the north side OF
the Leland and adjoining the Central
railroad depot. was demolished. Some
Of the freight was saved, but much more
DESTROYED. The Central depot was on
6ra several times. and the stores and
property adjoining on Franklin ana west
Fayette streets were severely scorched by
the flames and the window-glass cracked.
THE BURNED HOTEL.
The Leland Hotel occupied the west
side of Franklin street from the Central
depot to west Fayette street. and was
bnit about three years ago by George
Everson, OF this city, who died before IL
was completed. The building was about
two hundred feet square, SIX stories high,
and cost about $4,000.
THE LOSSES.
The probable losses are; \. o. Hickok,
| $50, 600, insured for 50, 800; Nj. A. Shum-
way 81. 600, insurance, 81, 900 American
Express Company, 3, 800, fully insured
Eyerson estate, $4,000, insurance, $780,
600: Gland Brothers, $50, GOO. insurance
| $50, 600; Hiram Wall, $500, insurance
81. 300; Jay b. Doyle, 300, no insu-
rance; William 3. Orr. 81, 900, insurance
81, 800 Curtis Manufacturing Company
| $3.50 insurance, els, 200. Total loss
S2I6, 700; total insurance, Sl29, 600.