Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-05-05
Another Big Fire al Winchester

WINCHESTER, Va, April 29.-Again
Winchester has been visited by a
most destructive fire. which was dis
covered at about half-past four
O'Clock this morning ia the rear of
John Vilwig & Son furniture ware
rooms, on the east side of main
street and near the centre oi the
business part of the city. The flames
spread with great rapidity and be-
fore the fire department, which re-
sponded with its usual promptness,
could control the fire, eight business
houses were total wrecks, as follows:
John Vilwig & Son, furniture
dealers, loss about $4,000 insur-
ance $4,000. Horsey & Atwell,
clothing and gentlemen's furnishing
goods. value of stock $4,000 in
surance $4,000. Solenberoer &
Stouffer, dealers in STOW $ and hard
ware, loss about $4,000; insurance
$6,400. Levin Bros, clothing, dry
goods and notions, most OF the stock
saved, but damaged, loss $500; uly
insured. The building occupiel by
the last two firms was Owned by Mr..
Charles Heller; los, $4,000; fu ~
covered by insurance. The building
on the south side IF Viwlg's and ad-
joining, and owned by III Evans &
Bro, (whose losses are about $l0,-
900, insurance about $4,000, was oc-
cupied by the Adams Express Com
pany and Messrs. G. ". Hensell &
Son. The express company will lose
nothing; goods and vaiuables were
removed from the bui 'ding. G. W.
Hensell & Sons loss is about $40 GOO;
insurance $4,000; part of the stock
saved but greatly damaged. VIM.
H. Hardy, manufacturer Of harness,
saddles, etc, loss from $4,000 to
$4,000; insurance on building and
stock $1,000; pare Of the stock saw
ed, but damaged
The property on the west side of
Main street, directly opposite, was
more or les damaged, including
that of the Taylor Hotel, and but
/ for the excellent management and
faithful work of the fire department
would have been destroyed. For an
hour it seemed the entire block was
destined to destruction, and while
the firemen were at work on Main
street The fire was gaining consider
able head way in the rear toward
Market street, destroying stables,
outbuilding, etc. The falling walls
of the Evans and Vilwig buildings
soon prevented the fremen from en-
tering or approaching from the front.
Not an accident of consequence &C.
Cured. Mr.. E. j. Vilwig, in at
tempting to gain admittanee to his
office, which was on the second floor,
by means Of ladder, fill and re-
ceived slight bruises. The fire, which
was undoubtedly of incendiary ORR
gin, is the second which has occurred
here during this month, and destroy
ed more property than any since the
late war. Four weeks ago, the Nelcs
office, furniture rooms of Funk &
Ray, and others, was of like origin.
Mr.. Charles B. Rouss, of New
York city, who has always been q
staunch friend of the city, was wired
this morning by gentleman who is
visiting here on business for Mr..
Rouss, and he received the following
response: Offer 81 900 for the ar
rest and conviction of the incendiar-
ies." Mayor Lupton Immediately
had handbills offering the reward
and posted through the town.
While there is no excitement, the
citizens are aroused and will leave
nothing u Il H. TO bring the guilty
parties to justice.