The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-14
vuE SCENE Iusr AS THE WEST WALL FELL.

water were playing on the fames from
all sides The police department. ieht
their aid to the hrcmen, ana soon mao
ropes stretched In order 10 keep back the
crowd that every moment grew larger
and larger. The people living IN une
houses near by and opposite the factory,
rushed TO their roofs WIN Duchels oi
water and br0Oms 10 ilght tnc Spaii.s' ~
II was soon evident that unless ''ie i',,p,el ne
was confined to the factory the Hilrnss Hn..ps
diate damage would be tremendous. Inns
fact only served 10 nerve the nremeh oii
10 greater efforts. and they made one OF
the prettiest fights against the angry
flames ever seen In TINS Guy.
wrsrtRN WALL PILL IN.
About $50 o'clock the western wall fell
in with a tremendous crash, ana sew
eral nremen who were on the rooI pi
fhe paint store OF rancis Brothers, mar
rowly escaped with their lives. \ lew
moments later the eastern wall also Sas,S
away and fell with a deafening th9d.
This left only the front ana rear "an'
As soon as Chief Puller realized the
character Of the fire he had 10 coh'eliu
Win he ordered the electric current an
over the city TO be cut Off. Ihis precau-
tion was taken. az S15 o'clock, owins 20
the number OF wires in front or the
factory. Chief Puller was AFRAID the
front wall might fall ana arag ,nese 'ss
wires down, and thereby endanser ''e
lives OF the firemen and others.
,rhe ambulance. IN charge OF Dr. Parker,
toolr the precautiOn 70 be on mana put
fortunately there was no neep ioi H -
services on both occasions Wien VI,
walls fell in there was iouu i'P''' INV
the crowd scattered.
GooD WORK OF THE FrRFMEN-
Tho heat was intense. At times 1t was
almost impossible for persons stahdihs
in front OF the building on trahkiih
str..t 10 get their breath, owing 70 WY
fact that the neghboring walls rehected
Desnife This fact. the iremen stood nobly
nv ,heir work. As the walls fell IN ana
the streams were turned on them II ,s Mas
seen that the fire would not spread. ihiS
wss the turning point, the crisis, so 10
snesk and when the crowd realized that
the fire was under control mighty shout
went no as a public recognition OF the
efforts ~ the firemen.
HOME FOR INcrBABLEs.
just i'm the rear OF the factory Is the
Virginia Home for lncurables. There
were seven patients IN the home Al
was thrown into confusion, but those in
charge kept their wits about them.
Stretchers were secured, and two or the
patients were removed to ST. Luke's Hos
pital IL was then discovered that the
Home was not in danger, aud the other
natieuts were not moved. The 1remen
turned a hose on the rear of the Home,
and thus saved the building. Had the
wina been blowing from the south the
building could not possibly have been
saved Or e. :. Hobson. Jr., of ST.
Lulxe's Home, said:
II saw the fire as soon as II started.
We made arrangements TO move our pa
tients. but found Il was not necessary"
No IN effects will result 10 the patients
Of either institution from the excitement.
at least that was the opinion Of the doc
tors in charge.
lust in the rear OF the burned factory
was the large hat and cap factory OF
Stokes x simmons, but this building was
not injured, owing 10 the strenuous ef-
forts OF the tiremen. who kept constant
stream OF water playing upon IL.
THE oHIOIS MYsTLRY.
The origin of the fire Is mystery. A
Times, reporter interviewed Major n.
v Randolph and In reply TO a question
as 10 whether there was stove or other
fire i'm the building. replied; "'Ihere has
been no fire In the building since last
SATURDAY night" There was a COM
nlete equipment OF the sprinkler system
In the building. but the fames spread
With such speed that II was entirelys use
Waen first discovered. the fire was con-
fined 10 the northwest corner OF the
FrankIIn-street building. but in an In
credihly short space OF time II commu-
nicated TO the entire structure. The fire
no DOUBT originated In the stock room.
AWFUL GRANDEUR.
sttff breeze from the northwest was
favorable to the fafues and In few
moments the Frankltn-sueet factory was