Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-12
FIRE NEAR OUR DOOR
THE coMMlsslON-HoUSe or II. o.
TAllAfERRO & co. BURNED OUT.
BADLY Damaged -Grest ExcttemeLt
nnd an Gmmense Crowd.

An alarm Of FIRE was turned in last
night which brought TO the contral-busi-
ness portion of ihe city one OF the
largest aud most excited crowds that
have been seen there for years.
a few mihutes before IL o'clock gen
tleman ran into the DISPATCH Office and
called for the key to the firealarm box
on the corner opposite, saying that the
CALICO Mills were on fire.
One OF the DISPATCH staff took pos
session Of the key aud went over to the
box, but knowing the excitement always
caused throughout the city b. an alarm
from that station (No. 49, told another
member of the staff to run down to the
mill aud if there was fire there or IN
that neighborhood 20 give signal. In
less than minute word came TO Let
her go " o. a fire was raging in the
commission store of H. B. Taliaferro &
Co.. on Twelfth street just opposite the
mills.
The department responded promptly,
and along with it thousands % persons,
male and female. big and little, from
every part of the city; while those
who could not get to the scene took turns
in ringing mp the DISPATCH by tcle-
phone to know where the fire was.
INA BUSINESS NEIGHBoRHooD.
The building is situated on the east
siGc Of Twelfth street between Cary
street aud Shockoe lane and adjoins
the store Of Snblett & Cary, commission
merchants. on the south, and that OF
John n. Jones. leaftobacco dealer, on
the north II is three stories IN height
and built Of brick.
TALlAFEBRO co. s LOSS.
The stock Of Messrs. Taliaferro 6 Co.,
which EN- braced about two carloads Of
hay, the same quantity OF flOur Gust re-
ceiyed Yesterday. some tobacco, grain of
various kinds, seeds Of different yario-
ties, molasses, and general produce, was
an entire loss. The firm carried $500
insurance ., son placed through J. =.
Moore and $1,000 in tho Virginia Fire
and Mariue-which, it is thought, Will
fully cover the damage.
Major Taliaierro. who left the store
early in tho evening, knew nothing OF
the fire until after u o'clock. He was
seen By DISPATCH reporter at ] A. NJ.
and soid that their loss would not
amount to much, if anything, provided
they could get the papers and books out
OF the building.
The damage to the building will pro-
baby not exceed 80, 600, asit was rough
" finished inside Messrs. Sublett and
Cary are fortunate IN not being injured
at all either by smoke or water. but Mr..
Jones, who had large stock OF bright
Leaf tobacco. will perhaps suffer
from water and smoke greater loss
than even Taliaferro 81 Co. II is
understood that he is well insured. The
building occupied by him, as well as the
burned one. is owned 10y the estate OF
the late James Thomas, Jr., for which
Mr.. Workman is agent. The property
IS thought to be insured.
DANGEROUS LOCALITY.
The locality is one Of the worst in the
city for fire to get a headway in, as 1t
is in the centre Of blocks OF valuable
business property. hlghl opposite are
the Gallego Mills, to the rear the gro
Gerry warehouse Of John Il. Cary n Co.,
and Just across Shockoe lane, with the
6 ore of Suolett & Cary intervening, is
d large tobacco warehOuSe.
When the ire was at tsheight Twelfth
street from Main to Canal and Cary
street from Eleventh to Thirteenth was
literally packed with people, and 1t was
almost impossible for one to make his
way through the dense mass.
The fire Is thought to have originated
in the basement, where the hay was
stored, and the theory is that OF spon;a-
neous combustion. Major Iallaicrro
stated this morning that there had been
no fire in the store for several months.