The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-09
A HOT TIME
IN NEW TOWN.
GaIIiIee Baptist Church a Moore Street
Victim of Probable Incendiarism.
BIG CROWD WATCHES STRUGGLE
Damage OF Fifteen Hundred Dollars
Mr.. Fritz Sitterdiug LOser-Ihree
Thousand People Gather-Iwo
Hundred Dollar Pine St.rirc

Fire breaking out about $50 o'clock
last evening totally destroyed the Cal
lice oolored Baptist church. on the cor
ner Of Bowo and Moore street, in the
section known as Nowiovn. and the ad-
Joining home occupied by b. II. Page
Cco.ored). and owned by Mr.. Fritz Sit
terding. was damaged 20 the extent of
$500.
The sheds and outhouses Of tho dwell
ings OF Page ana his next-door neigh
Dor. w. j. Fox also colorcd, were de-
s'roycd
The ringing Of on alarm from Box SCI,
90 the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac shops. with the sudden manting
Of the western heavens with flame, star
tied West-Endefs. and IT. seemed that
fhe district had h0Ckcd I'm O. body 10 The
ecene OF the fire.
BIG CROWD GATHERED.
Fully three thousand people gathered
20 watch The struggle between the iirc-
men and tho flames. which. driven by
persistent sOutheastcr. seemed bent on
destroying the coiored section.
The IRE stretched in long fierce tongues
for hundred feet hcavenward, and
lighted mp the scenery for soveray blocks
around
Al first ~ was thought that the large
lumber yards of tho Sitterdiug Company
were feeding the flames. an impression
which was responsible for the gathering
Of the great crowd
The hre was first discovered bv the chill
dren OF b. H. Page. who from the house
saw flames bursting from the church stee-
PIE. IL did not seem that the church i'm
tsrlor was ahre, but 20 the minds Of the
nremen 10 did not seem possible that tine
coffee should have met such rapid de-
efruction from fire originating I'M TIE
sfeeple
SAVED THE DWELLING
The nremen did not waste their efforts
upon subdu.ng the hlazcs in the church.
as IL had been leveled 90 the gr0und
when they arrived. but worked herocally
IN saving the row Of dwellings adjoining.
So successfully were their streams d.
rocted that an the houses of the row ex-
cept Pages and Foxs escaped injury.
a barn to the east Of the church, be-
longing to the Hartzhorn Colored College.
caught several flying brands and was
soon ablaze but well handled hose
stream reduced the flames i'm this quarter
with but little loss.
ar Sitterdings property was insured
and the church is said 90 have been COW
cred 70 It's value OF Y-N.
INCENDIARISM EVIDENT.
Every evidence points TO incendiarism
IN the destruction of the church.
There had been no meeting since sun
dav. no one slept on the premises and
no liehts had been seen about the place
There was no chance for spontaneous
combustion.
The pastor. Rev Nicholas Brooke
could not be seen when sought ~ the
reporter for information In regard TO his
church.
Engine companies Nos. and and
Truck No. 3 made rapid runs TO the
scene and performed their usual eficient
service
Fire was discovered about 8 o'clock
last evening in closet i'm the residence
~ Mr. William Trexler. no. POO south
Pine street. and before IL could be eX-
tinguished created damage 70 the extent
Of $500
The alarm was turned I'm from box a.
III the Laurel street engine house. and
the department rendered prompt service,
The dwelling S. owned by Chewning d
Rose. and its damage of 5000 is fully COW
cred The property Of Mr. TreXler was
not insured.
Mr.. w. y. Bragg. who lives In the adj
ioinine house. No. 2o6 10. while assist
ing IN saving va'uablos. was severely
burned about the face and hands.