The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-17
A DISASTROUS
MORNING FIRE.
CONTINUED from First Page

,oned the department TO a score OF de-
structlve blazes. and It was the work OF
hut another minute for the wide awake
guardian OF the peace TO open the box
and pull the lever.
Tho oficer then tried the door Of the
fated building. but found II locked. Soon.
however. the merry clangor OF the bell
a., tho Carv-Street chemical engine an
nounced the oncoming OF that wonderful
machine and its brave crew. and before
the ayes of the fremen the door gave in
readily.
Tine streams Of the chemical had hard
" found the blaze when the heayier ap-
paratus had wheeled into position before
the building.
Fortrnaf5Ty plenty OF water was 10 be
had. and no less than mar dozen
streams were forcing their way against
the flames within ten minutes from the
stroke OF the alarm
Chiefs FULLER and Shaw were both on
hard and marshalled their forces with
their wonted system.
The streets were soon filled with hastily
awakened spectators and Sergeant Cosby
was forced at last 10 establish his hre
lines.
Tho fire at first seemed TO center In the
building on the second noor on the
frcmen were directed at that point. II
was soon seen. however. that the bulk
Of the fire lay I'm the rear Of the bindery
floor and Chief Fuller directed his men
10 swing their ladders around TO the alley
side Of the structuEe.
The BUILDING.
The Baughman Job printing and bind
ing department occupied n brick building
Of four stories and basement.
The basement contained the stereOtyp-
ing apparatus and engines of the plant.
on the first floor were the heavy presses
while tho second held the ondery. The
third floor was used as the typesetting
department and was known 20 be one
Of the best Job Offices IN the South.
The top story held fine paper stock
and what was the pride OF the fre-a
| and what was the pride of the firm-a
series OF matrices o. all work done by
the firm.
When the chief directed his men 10 APP
ply their streams from the alley side. he
sought 10 use the aerial ladder, a FIRE
tower. and started TO wheel 30 into the
alley in position.
Here he met a snag in the shape OF a
network Of wire which crossed and re-
crossed in every direction besides hum
dred or more supported by huge pole
at the alley entrance.
1t was impossible 10 raise the aerial
ladder i'm the face Of these obstacles, and
the heavy hose streams had TO be carried
to the upper stories OF the building on the
wall ladders.
UNDER CONTROL.
Even with this the nrsmen steadily
gained control, and as the Times goes to
press the flames have been subdued.
Mr. Charles G. Baughman was sum-
moned from his residence on sou,h Fourth
street at the direction Of Sergeant Cosby
and soon responded.
lie was very much excited when he
viewed the destruction.
lie could not give definite Information
as TO the insurance save that It was
fully covered, nor in regard TO the loss.
| The amount of property In the building
will amount TO $4,000 TIN amount OF
damage will foot up one third OF TINS
at least.
THE ORIGIN.
Mr.. L. c. Tucker. the superintendent or
the plant, gave IL as his opinion that the
ure had originated In the bindery and
could think OF no other probable cause
save that mice had gotten at the
| matches.
The plant closes down at 1.l5 o'clock on
| Saturday afternoons ana MI j ucher VS.
the last man I'm the building. lie lelt nj
shortly past o'clock and every hlhs
| then seemed all right
The plant employees about seventy-hVe
| men.