Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-14

IT VIII be Impossible TO So ahead
this morning with more than 100 hands,
because all the machinery and a great
part OF the stock was destroyed by the
FIRE. What served az a great protection
20 the Ross-street building was the fact
that the doors and windows OF that struc-
ture have Innings Of asbestos under the
tin coverings and that In the construction
Of the house other precautions against
fire were taken.
FALLING OF THE WALLS.
The flames had only ragged about half
an hour when the walls of the factory
began TO fall. All fell except the front
wall. which was built of blocks Of ce-
mcnt. and was like solid sheet OF that
substantial material. MessTs. Randolph
and Cavanaugh came near being caught
under one Of the walls and the former
gentleman had his left hand and arm
badly bruised by slipping upon a piece Of
hose and falling. He managed to get the
books ana papers from the Office as soon
as he reached the burning building. how
ever. and was one of the last persons
10 leave the place Some time after his
accident he went 10 the wholesale drug
house Of Purcell. Ladd & Co. on Cover
nor street ard had his arm dressed.
owing to the breaking OF some Of the
electric wires, superintendent Thompson.
OF the Fire Alarm Department. directed
that all the currents on thGt circuit be
cut off. AZ a result great many places
were thrown into darkness, and tho
strect-cars on the Franklln-street line
could not move, but a great deal OF dan
ger 70 human life was thus removed.
The currents were again turned on about
$50 o'clock. and shortly afterward the
cars were enabled TO run.
TO REBUILD At ONCE.
While the fire Of last night must have
crjppled 10 some extent the Randolph
Paper Box Company. IL did not In any
way dampen the ardOr or enterprise OF
It's officer. Mr.. Randolph. the president,
gave Dispatch reporter, while the
flames were siill raging. some. OF his
plans for rebuilding. He said that an
other factory would be erected on the
site Of the old one at once, and that
new machinery would he ordered 10y tele-
graph. which was done before midnight.
This machinery will be shipped by eN-
press. and VIII bc placed temporarily III
the Ross-street factory. II Is hoped that
il will arrive In about eight or ten days
and that within two weeks the iull force
will again be at work on full time. All
employees of the company are requested
10 report at the ROss-strect factory inns
morning. when they will be advised as to
who shall 20 20 work and when the
others shall commence. II being 50 near
Christmas. il is a serious Inconvenience
To the hands OF the factory TO be thrown
ont Of work. even for two weeks. ana
while the great blow is TO the company
and 10 the insurance companies Il VIII
br felt i'm many Richmond homes.
The burned building was butt IN some
what the shape Of On l., half surrounding
the printing-oilice. which sustained Dam
apoa amounting 10 several thousand dol
lars and back 20 within few feet or the
Ross-street factory. A number OF smaller
houses we. more or less exposed I"
tbs flames. and at one time II was
tbnueht that the row Of frame buildings
on the corner Of Franklin and -Four
,eeutb streets. would certainly be swept
away. The printing office and the hie-
men. however saved them.
LOSS AND INSURANCE
Mr. Randolph estimates the total loss
ON buildings. machinery. and stock 10 hc
about $1,000. Tho three buhulnSs. III
Guiding the one fronting on Ross street
which WAS saved. cost sH.Ngl me ma
chincrr. an of which was destroyed coz
~ 900 and the stock, which was pTacu-
csllv a total loss. is estimated 10 nave
been worth about $o.Op.
Tho total Insurance on the entire plant
IL ss7 Of0 which is distributed among the
following companies;
Virginia FIRE and Marine .............S2'yp
n