Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-04
SWEPT BY FLAMES.
A MOST DISASTROUS FIRE IN FARM
WILLIE SUNDAY NIGHT.
THIRTY SIX BUILDINGS GONE.
Two Explosions of BInsfine-Powder
Add To the Terror Of the Occasion-
Insurance.

buildings are smouldering ruins. nine
tenths Of the colored population are tenn
porarily out Of employment, and a loss
exceeding $4,000 is sustained.
/. Shortly before IL O'Clock the cry OF fire
was heard, and the dreadful changing OF
the bell was soon followed by the burst
ing of flames from the large frame
storage-room OF Duvall. Robertson q
Co, commission merchants, situated at
the corner Of North and Third streets.
When the fire brigade first reached the
scene IT looked as If the flremen would
easily gain the mastery and prevent any
spread Of the flames and no doubt this
would have been the case but for two
terrific explosions of blasting powder.
which sent the burning brands many
squares northward. upon the roofs Of un-
protected buildings.
SHOOK THE TOWN.
The explosion shook nearly every house
in the town, dlsconcerting and unnerving
the fire fighters and sending a terrifying
thrill to every household. 1t was imme-
diately after this that the large double
factory on the opposite side Of the street
owned by ID. 7. Elan. and used
| by W. G. Dunnington. was seen to ignite
about the gables, and in an incredibly
short time it was a seethng mass of
| flame. a stiff southern wind was tanning
the angry flames and while the energies
Of the firemen were being directed to
saving other adjoining structures, and
keeping the fire from reaching through t.
I a IN CT. h. 1.
Blanton, used by Huntington, was dis
covered burning furiously. This was full
six squares away from the first fire. and
with such unpromising outlook for sub
DUNG the flames. Lynchburg was tele-
graphed to for assistance. There was a
plenty of water but not the means with
which to use it.
The Norfolk and Western authorities
cleared the way and had train at the
disposal Of the Hill City brigade, but for
some unaccountable reason it failed to
respond 10 Farmville's appeal.
The fire crossed Third street to the
store of j. A. Spencer, then across North
street, again to the big factories Of b. /.
Anderson. and reaching out its angry
tongues Of flame. four small dwellings
were wiped away.
FARMVILLE WAREHOUSE CATCHES
BY this time the Farmville Warehouse
had caught and the fire there was far be-
yond control. Then followed the large
new factory Of Edward L. Morris as prey
for the devouring elements. The Presby-
terian church being in close proximity to
Morris's factory, attention was directed
to saving that structure. but it. too was
soon ablaze, though the lecture-room
only was seriously damaged. The loss on
this is probably $3.50. In the mean
time sixteen buildings within a radius Of
two blocks were i'm a light blaze. while
north Of ne railroad a score Of others
were fan-ng and crumbling TO the
ground. When the fire reached the Stand
ard Oil building in the lower part of
the town the greatest excitement pre-
vailed and only few persons could be
found who had the nerve TO combat the
flames. which were finally extinguished
before any considerable damage was done
to the oil company Not until the raging
fire had burned through TO the rivers edge
was 1t gotten under control.
A PRETTY CLEAN SWEEP.
Only two or three buildings were spared
that stood i'm the track Of the fire. They
were the Farmville FIGURING Mills and
the Randolph Warehouse. 1t was only
by the hardest work that the mill was
saved So strong was the wind blowing
when the fire was at its height that
burning brands and sparks were carried
a distance of several miles, and II Is re-
ported that the stables Of J. l.. Lam
caster. who resides one and a half miles
away. caught fire several times, and that
sparks were rained so fast about his resi-
dence that the precaution ot moving fur
niture from his dwelling-house was taken
The origin Of this. the greatest fire
Farmville has ever experienced in its now
one hundred years of existence. is q mys
terv. but it is generally believed TO have
been the work of an incendiary. The
house which was first on fire was only
used as a storage-room, and 1t being Sun
6av. no one had had the need of entering |
it, or else it might possibly be coniec- |
tured that dropped match or castaway |
cigarette caused the disaster.
THE INSURANCE.
From information gathered Of insurance |
agents. the loss on the whole is not |
more than a third covered by insurance. |
The blow to Farmvlle's business inter
ests will ibe felt for many months. 1t is |
said that at least 100000 pounds of to-
bacco went up in the fire. much Of which |
was of the finest grades sold in this mar
ket contracts are already being let for
fhe rebuilding of much OF the burned
district.
As far as is ascertainable tonight. the
losses and insurance as follows: Duvall
& Co, contents of storage
room. 8. .OoO: insurance. $780, ID. T. Elam
building, $500; insurance, $3.50. G. NJ.
walker. three houses. 500; insurance.
,e00 Farmville Warehouse Company,
buildings. 5000; insurance, 5000. b. J..
Anderson. loss unknown; partially in
sured C. Il. Chappell, contents of stable,
,o5. no insurance. George Cox, building.
d 5on no insurance; Paulett & Son. fac
orr, and contents. $1,000; insurance. ST.
.7oo Martin & Armstrong. building. 5000;
.,srrance 5000 Presbyterian church,
d zoo. covered by insurance. c. w. Blan-
.on,s factory. building. 5000; insurance,
% -o0 w. Miles Cary, OF Richmond,
,uiidinq $1,000: probably insured. Morris
!. Anderson. stock and factory. $1,000,
insured. II. G. Richardson u
rate buildings. Sl.000 insurance, 500. w.
: Turnpkin q Tate, builders. $500. Il. Il.
90 tobacco, $500; no insurance. The
areest losses were in the stocks of to-
,occo of w. C. Huntington and w. Z.
.rliam both Of whom carried ample in
,urance Mr. Dunnington had a group
n five or six factories burned. There
yare numerous cabins and workshops de-
,troved on which there was no insur-
nee As Ear as learned. the insurance is
20 distributed amcng the various com
,anies as that none Of them sUstains a
,reat loss. there being nineteen companies
ARRIVING in the aggregate $4,000.