Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-05-04
BIG FIRE AT WINCHESTER.

II
EIGHT BUSINESS HOUSES BURNED-LOs
ABOUT s6O, 900, TWO THIRDS INSURED.
WINCHESTER. VA, April 2o.-Agail
Winchester has been visited by q mos
destructive fire, which was discovered
about half-past o'clock this morning IL
the rear of John Vilwig e. Sons furniture
warerooms, on the cast side of Main stree
and near the centre of the business par
of the city. The flames spread will
great rapidity and before the fire de
partment, which responded with its usua
promptness, could control the fire eight
business houses were total wrecks, al
follows:
John Yilwig & Son, furniture dealer'
and undertakers, building and stock
about Sic, COO; insurance $4,000. Hortey
Il Atwell, clothing and gentlemen'i
furnishing goods, occupied the lower floor
of the Vilwig building; most of their
stock removed. but greatly damaged;
value ofstock $4,000; insurance 1000.
Solenberger & Stouffer, dealers III stoves
and hardware, on north side of Vilwig
building, loss about $4,000; insurance
$1,000. levin Bros, clothing, dry goods
and notions, most of the stock saved, but
damaged; loss $500; fully insured. The
building occupied by the last two firms
was owned by Mr.. Charles A. Heller; loss
s., 600; insurance $1,000. The building
on the south side of Yilwig'S and adjoin-
ing, and owned by H. Evans g. Bro,
(whose losses are about $40. 900, insurance
about Sc, 000,) was occupied by the Adams
Express Company and Nessrs. C. w.
Hensell & Sons. The express company
will lose nothing; goods and valuables
were removed from the bnilding. C. w.
Hensell & Sons loss is about $4,000, in
surance 6,000; part of the stock saved
greatly damaged. William H. Hardy,
manufacturer of harness. saddles, I&c.,
loss from $4,000 to $4,000, insurance on
building and stock $1,000; part of the
stock saved, but damaged.
The pant on all the property on the
west side Of Main street, directly opposite,
was more or less damaged, including that
of the Taylor Hotel and but for the ex-
celent management and faithful work ef
the fire department would have beeu de-
stroyed. For an hour it seemed the en-
tire block was destiI to destruction,
and while the fremtn were at work on
Main street the fire was gaining consider.
able Roadway in the rear toward Market
street, destroying stables, outbuildings,
&c. The falling walls of the Evans and
Yilwig buildings soon prevented the fire.
men from entering or approaching from
the front. Not an accident of consequence
occurred. Mr.. E. J. Vilwig, in attempt
ing to gain admittance to his Office, which
was on the second floor, by means of a
ladder, fell and received slight bruises.
This fire, which was undoubtedly Of in
cendiary origin, is the second which has
occurred here during this month, aud de-
stroyed moro property than any
SINCE the late war; Four weeks ago the
News Office, furniture rooms of Funk &
Ray and others, an account of which ap-
peared in The San April l, was of like
Origin
Mr.. Charles B. Rouss, of New Yo:k
city, who has always been a staunch
friend to the city, was wired this morning
by a gentleman who is visiting here on
business for Mr. Rouss, and he received
the following response; "Offer $1,000 re-
ward for the arrest aud conviction of the
ncendiaries." Mayor Lupton Immediate
ly had handblls printed Offering the re-
ward and posted through the town.
While there IS no excitement the citizens
are aroused and will leave nothing I'M
done to bring the guilty parties to jus
tice.
From G,O6O to S.o00persols have visited
the ruins today, and this afternoon many
visitors from this and adjoining counties
are in the city.-Wn. Cor. Bait. Sun.