The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-07
AGAIN DESTROYED BY FIRE.
Stewards Mattress Factory Sue.
cumbs for the Third Time.
The Building and Contents Entirely De-
stroyed-.Supposed TO be the Work of
an Incendiary-One Man Arrested Last
Night on Suspicion-AIso a Slight Fire
In the SOuthwestern Section of the
City.

Stewards Mattress Factory. situated
in the southeastern part Of the CITY on
the Roanoke and Southern railroad, was
entirely destroyed by fire last night,
and being removed from any water plug
the firemen were powerless to impede
the progress of the flames. The loss
will reach over $1,000 and is only par
TALLY covered by insurance.
About half past 10 o'clock the fire
alarm was sounded from sic in the
southwestern part of the city. The
alarm " as responded to by the Junior
Hose Company, who in the shortest pos
sible time were on the scene. The
blaze, only slight one, proved to be in
the dwelling Of Frank Welsh, at $50
Ninth avenue 8. W., and was caused by
the explosion OF a lamp in the kitchen.
The burning oil scattered over the room,
which was soon enveloped in harues.
Within few minutes stream OF
water was playing on the fire and all
traces of the fire were extinguished
before any serious damage was done.
The loss was slight add was chiefly
from water.
Before the hremen and spectators had
left this place e. Ii. Stewards large
LnoVoaooo AaStoEJt ullou WIFI the most
lnfiammable material, was found to be
in mass of flames The Ere started
from the inside, and in less time than
it takes to tell the story the whole
building was eveloped in solid sheet
of fire. The Vigilants were soon on the
grounds, but even had there been plenty
OF water the result would have been the
same, for the factory and the contents
burnt like finder, and in less than thirty
minutes we're entirely consumed The
blaze, one Of the largest ever seen in
Roanoke, illuminated nearly the whole
city, and was Witnessed by hund reds of
people from the summit of Terry Hill
The building cost $500 and was in.
sured for Sl,500. The machinery cost
over 50, 900 and was insured for about
$1,000 and the stock, consisting Of
mattresses. hair, shucks, etc, was valued
at over $500 and was only partially in
sured
This is the third m attress factory that
has oeon destroyed by Fl re for Mr.. Stew
art in Roanoke. The first one, near his
store, caught on fire in the day time
while the men were working from an
explosion of oil number OF years ago,
and the second, situated near the former
residence OF Mr.. Stewart, on Jefferson
street. caught fire from an ad Joining
burning building and was destroyed
three years ago.
There is no doubt that this fire was
the work of an incendiary and there is
good reason to believe he will be appre.
hended and brought to Justice
Besides the loss sustained by Mr.
Stewart, this conflagration is loss to
the community as number of hands
we're steadily employed in the factory
and they will be thrown out OF employ
mentuntil the plant can be rebuilt.
John Carter, colored man who works
for Jennings & Body, was seen by r. p.
Jones, Il. f. Perrin and f. c. Brindel,
just as the fire broke out to be coming
up Terry Hill from the direction of the
fire, with his coat off, walking very fast
and seemingly excited. Two of these
young men guarded the negro while the
third went for an officer. When Police.
man Vest arrived he placed Carter un.
der arrest and lodged him in Jail on sus
picion of setting fire to the factory
The negro stoutly denies it and claims
that he was visiting colored girl, who
cooks for family who reside on Terry
Hill. The case will be examined this
morning at police court.