Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-20
IT WASAN UGLY FIRE
FLAMEs BREAK OUT m wlLkINsoNs
HALL AND 90 MUCH DAMAGE.
Jackson Jones Surocates in Lodge Ante
Rocm--Losses and Insarancs
in Detail.

Shortly after o'clock on Sunday night
flames burst through the roof Of Wilkfn-
sons Hall, near the corner OF Ninth and
Franklin streets. and before they could be
extinguished damaged the building and the
business interests conducted therein TO
the extent OF several thousand dollars
and caused the death Of Jackson Jones'
located on the third floor.
The fire had evidently been burning
some little time when Superintendent
w. II. Thompson. OF the Fire-Alarm De-
partment. hearing the cries OF persons on
the street and seeing the blaze from MS
Office window, turned in Box l2S, winch
Is situated at the corner OF Ninth ana
Main streets. from his Office In the new
City Hall. This summons and the threat
ening appearance OF the flames brought
out Engine Companies Nos. 3, 4, and Z
and Truck Company No and an I'M
mense crowd Of spectators.
The firemen were not long In reaching
the consuming element with three streams
of water, but II was deemed necessary to
have another truck. so second alarm
was sent In five minutes later than the
first. This signal called TO the scene
Engine Companies and and the desired
truck company. In ten minutes the fire
was under control, and within an hour 1t
had been put entirely out.
With the exception of the injury by
water the building was only damaged on
the third floor for a space of about 20
feet square, where were located a number
OF ante-rooms and closets to the lodge
castles of the Knights Of the Golden
Eagle, Iron Moulders' Union. Tin, Sheet
Iron, and Cornice- Workers Association,
Improved Order OF Heptasophs Odd-Fel-
lows order of Tonti, Knights of Honor,
the hall Of Phil Kearney Post. q. A. r..
and Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge Sons OF
st. George.
JONES FOUND DEAD.
The fire originated somewhere among
these ante-chambers or in an old ward
robe In the hallway. The cause is be-
lieved TO have been the carelessness of
jackson Jones, the ianitor. who, IL Is said,
was carried up 10 the hall by two other
colored men about o'clock Sunday after
noon in "a drunken condition. During the
progress of the blaze Jackson was FOUND
dead in one OF the ante-rooms. where he
The negro when discovered was wrapped
up in a blanket, and had evidently gone
to sleep before the fire began Its work
fairly. One Of his hands was badly burn
ed. Coroner Taylor viewed the body yes
terday morning. but deemed an inquest
unnecessary. The remains were, there.
FORE turned over to the friends OF the
deceased.
1t is almost impossible to estimate close
IS the loss sustained by the fire. The
building. which Is owned by Mr. Charles
T. Whitlock, is damaged both by fire and
water to the extent of $500 to $1,000. IL
is insured in the Old Mutual for $4,000.
Possibly the heaviest losers are the Hume
Minor Company, who carry on large
piano and organ business on a part OF
the first floor OF the house. Mr.. Minor
said yesterday that it was impossible for
him 10 approximate his damage. because
each instrument would have TO be care
fully examined in order to do 80. Their
store-r room and basement were Hooded
with water. and il is probable that the
injury to the stock is quite heavy. The
Hume Minor Company is insured in the
Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Com
pany for $1,000. which is abundant to cover
the damages.
OTHER ITEMS OF DAMAGE.
The safe establishment of Mr.. Smith
was also injured by water. This is To-
Gated on the ground floor of the building,
and is sufficiently insured 10 cover all
loss
The Southern Planter office, which was
on the second floor. was partially de-
luged There Is $40 insurance on the
furniture and files.
MattoN & Co., who carry on printing
Office on the second floor, sustained about
S75 loss from water. and had no insurance.
Another room on this floor was occupied
10y Isaac May shoe broker, who escaped
any damage.
The lodge-rOOms proper, third story,
were not badly injured. the damage to
Phil Kearney Post room being exceed
ingly slight and entirely by water.
The Iron Moulders' Union will be prob
ably the largest loser of these organiza>
tons. as its entire wardrobe was con.
sumed, and it contained a number of
valuable union documents.
The Plymouth Rock Pants Company
saved its stock harmless by removing 1t
to safe quarters.
TUMBLE OF A FIREMAN.
While engaged in fighting the fire, Mr..
A. Dunkle, of Engine Company No. 3.
fell between the joists, but was not hurt.
He is big specimen of the fire-fighters,
and became so wedged in between the
timbers that his friends had to go to his
rescue and pull him out.