Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-25
FIRE In A GALLERY.
FLAMES WIPE OUT CAMPBELL,s
STUDIO EARLY THIS MORNING.
GREENTREE'S STORE BADLY DAMAGED
Total Less May Reach s32 600
blaze supposed 90 Have originated
togrnpher's PIace-Thc Insurnnce.

Just as the city bells were striking u
o'clock last night an alarm OF nre was
turned In from Box PIG. Fifth and Broad
streets. and flames were seen issuing from
the rear windows Of the photograph gal
lery Of Messrs. Campbell & Co., which
occupies the two upper floors of the
three-story building No. 429 east Broad
street II was nearly 3 o'clock when the
fire had been entirely exunguished ana
it had wreaked damage to the extent OF
about $500 which is partially covered
by insurance.
The first story OF the building has been
used by Mr.. A. Greontrce. q weu-known
Broad-street clothier. whose large stock
OF goods was practically ruined, prncI-
pally by water Slight damage was also
done TO the adjoining business houses,
but by the splendid work Of the depart
ment. the flames were confined to this
structure.
DISCOVERY OF THE FIRE.
Mr. Robert II. Stcger was first to OBJ
serve the fire He was on his way home
when he discovered volume Of smoke
issuing from the REAR Of the photograph
gallery Of Messrs. Campbell q Co., and
he shouted TO two young men near by to
turn I'm the alarm, which they did just
at midnight.
At l2I5 o'clock a second alarm was
sounded. and this brought out nearly all
the apparatus I'M the city. Later on the
"tcn-ten" signal was sent in 10y Chief
Fuller. ordering the currents shut OF all
the electric wires west of Ninth street.
il was a hard and stubborn fire from
the start. ana was one Of the most mac
cesslble the department has had TO con-
tend with for some time. The place was
completely enclosed with other buildings,
save on the Broad-street front and X
taxed the energies and executive ability
OF the department 10 devise ways and
means 10 keep the flames confined TO the
building in which they originated. ON the
east side was the "NitascOpe' establish
ment which remains intact; on the west
William c. Smidts soda-water and con-
fectonery store. while to the rear was
Mrs L.. b. Morris millinery store. To
prevent damage in these places of busi-
ness. either by fire or water. and az the
same time fight with the hope of success
the blaze in the gallery was a problem for
the department 10 solve. Hose was run
across houses and through stairways, and
the valiant work went vigorously on for
three hours.
THE CHIEFS NARROW ESCAPE.
While near the edge of this building,
ON the roof. Chief Puller, tripped over an
electric wire and went headlong over the
edge. but was caught by Chief shaw
who was standing close by him when he
fell Ii was q frightfully narrow escape
as had the Chiefs body fallen TO the
ground he would I'm all probability have
been killed.
Considering the lateuess Of the hour. a
very large crowd assembled TO witness
the fire but the flames at no time created |
a great light as they were Kept pracu- !
cally beneath the roof
Mr. Greeut~oe. when seen by a Dis |
patch man. said while he could not say /
10 what extent he was damaged, he was /
insured on stock for between $4,000 and |
$4,000 and this sum would just about |
cover his stock. Some injury was done |
10 his stock by fire. and as the place was |
deluged with water. il was thought that |
the goods We're pretty well rlned.
in the basement Tia Cohen Company |
had cases of blankets stored, ON Whica
there Is no Insurance The cellar was /
pretty well filed with water.
ii is thought that Campbell & Co.'S es- |
tablishment was practically wiped out by |
the fire. MI Campbell said last mght !
that his loss would be about $S0J0-$bVoOI !
on stock and 5000 on negatlNeS-dnd that /
he was only insured for 5000 He said |
he had no idea how the fire could have |
originated. He did not think that any
fire was left i'm the building yesterday |
afternoon.
THE INSURANCE IN DETAIL.
The insurance of Mr.. A. Greentree |
amounted to NS.5oO ON stock and 5000 on
fixtures. placed as follows:
On stock-Through Julius Straus * SON
agents Western Assurance Company |
a. 800: British American Assurance Com
any 5000. Virginia Fire and Marine In
urance Company $1,000, German Fire-ln-
urance Company. $500. London ana
Lancashire F'ire-Insurance Company, 81
500: Commercial Union Assurance Com
pany. 5000. Total, SlS50O.
on nxtures-Through John B. Cary & |
Son agents. Germania Fre-lnsurance |
COMPANY. 81 800. through Julius Straus a |
Son. agents. Glenns Falls insurance COM
pauy. $500.
Messrs Campbell & CO., the photogra-
pliers. carried only 5000, placed i'm several |
companies through Howard Swineford, |
agent.
The building occupied by these firms |
was a splendidly constructed three-story !
house with brOwnstOne trimmings, and |
Vas owned by Mrs. Isabella Rosenbaum
II was insured iu the Mutual Assurance |
Society of Virginia. but the amount OF /
the policy could not De learned last night
BREEDEN, TALLEN ~ co. FAIL.