The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-17
'DEAREA'S BODY DISCOVERED.
y. w. TinsIey Escapes From the
Fire Uninjured.
Uur1onn Crowds at the Smoking Ruins
All Day Yesterday-Bush & Garner
Likely to Resume Business-About the
Powder in the Evans s. Chalmers,
Warehouse.

Y.
The smoking ruins OF yesterday
mornings great fire were visited by
thousands of curious people all day
long who stood around in groups, dis.
cussing the terrible confiagration and
advancing any number of theories as to
its origin.
How the fire started no one knows,
but 1t seems to be the general impress
sion that 1t was the work of an incen-
diary. MIR. Garner informed TIMES
reporter yesterday that he was conf
dent some ono set his mill on fire, as
the men who slept in the building never
had any fire there and did not even
smoke while they were il the mill.
The flames did their work we'll. and
the sight that presented itself to the
spectators was o drearY one. Where
the large mills and lumber piles be-
longing TO Bush SC Garner had formerly
stood there was nothing but smoking
heaps OF debris. Broken pieces OF ma,
chinery were lying around, mixed in
vtAoA ohAoho GNU Oiu plCC6S OIL iron.
What had formerly been dwelling
houses are now vacant lots covered
with mud and broken bricks, and over
the whole scene hung heavy cloud of
dense white smoke. A stream of water
was kept constantly playing on the
ruins Of the mill, and the tired flremen
were kept on duty nearly all day.
Bush IL Garner had force of men at
work yesterday clearing away the debris
and trying to straighten matters up,
but they made poor Roadway owing to
the heat. The safe, which contained
the books of tho firm, was found to be
practically uninjured, and when it was
opened the books were taken out in
good condition. Mr.. Garner said yes
terday that he could not state at pre-
sont whether the firm would resume
business again or not, but he thought
1t was quite probable that they would.
He estimated his loss at from Sis 900 to
$4,000 and said that the firm carried an
insurance of $4,000. The machinery is
all ruined and, i'll his opinion, would
not realize 500.
Tho body of Thomas bearing was
discovered about z o'clock Yesterday
morning. Et was discovered by Chief
Knepp and when found nothing re-
manned Of the unfortunate man except
his trunk, the head and limbs having
been burned away. From the position
in which the remains were discovered
1T was evident that the unfortunate
man had been blinded and suffocgted by
smoke and he undoubtedly fell within a
few feet of the door. j.. w. Tinsley,
who was also reported to have been lost,
fortunately made his escape from the
burning mill and was uninjured. The
remains OF bearing were removed to
snnkQu e, Wool u,tu afc
held an inquest at II o'clock.
Mr.. Chalmers, of the firm Of Evans
81 Chalmers, stated to TIMES reporter
yesterday, that as we'll as he could
remember there was in the firms store
house at the time of the fire six or
eight kegs Of powder, one case of dyna-
mite and case of Judson. The firm
had received an order from the city for
four kegs of powder, and as it was their
custom to carry but three kegs in stock,
they had brought in this additional
supply from the magazine, which is
Situated five miles from the city. 1t
was too late to deliver the goods last
night, and the powder had been put in
the storehouse over night.
1t is singular fact that both fire
engines should have broken down. The
new La France engine, which was doing
good work, burst an air chamber about
O'clock, which disabled it, and the old
steamer broke steam pipe shortly aftor
the accident to the new engine.
Too much credit cannot be given the
fire department. for the efficient manner
in which they fought the fire. Chief
Knepp and Assistant Chief Engleby had
the men under perfect control, and they
all worked like veterans. AS fast as
one gang became exhausted another was
ready to take its place and an adequate
force was always on duty.
e. Oppenheim, Sr., who keeps saloon
on the corner of Campbell and Com
meroe streets, threw open his doors and
served refreshments to the tired fire.
men, refusing in every case to receive
pay for his hospitality.
Many cases of hardship will result
from the fire, as the people who were
burnt out lost nearly everything they
had. Earnest Hall, one of the unfor-
Inmates, had everything burned up OK
cept big fat hog. which he managed to
save after much trouble, but yesterday
forenoon some one stole the animal and
sold it to butcher. Tho thief has not
yet been caught.
HUSTINGS COURT.