Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-23
FIRE IN A FACTORY
DAMAGE DONE AT THE
KINNEY BRANCH YESTERDAY.
PANIC AMONG TIE FINALE EMPLOYEES
One Woman Succeeds I'm Jumping
from a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
Alarm-Dnmage About $4,000, Fully
Covered by Insurance.
Covered by Insurance.

Fire broke out in the factory Of the
Kinney Branch Of the American Tobacco
Company used both as a stemmery and
leaf department, yesterday, and although
it was quickly subdued the losses
amounted to nearly $500.
The damage was principally done to the
drying machine, and, through water, TO
about $4,000 worth of stock There was
little injury done 20 the building. and the
entire loss is fully covered by insurance.
The fire occurred in the drying appara-
tus on the second floor, about II 30 o'clock,
and the private apparatus Of the company
was at once brought into play. This
proved TO be insufficient, and Box 25
was pulled. bringing three department
engines and a truck upon the scene, with
Chief Shaw and Commissioner Frisch-
karn.
A MILD PANIC REIGNED.
Little difficulty was experienced in put
ting the fire out, but while this was be-
ing done excitement naturally prevailed
among some Of the employees. Consider
ing the exciting conditions and the fact
that there were several hundred female
operatives, their behavior was declared
by the manager, Mr.. William l.. Walker,
TO be remarkably good.
Some of the women became hysterical
and several tainted Josephine Melvin
made a desperate attempt 10 jump
through closed window, but only sue
ceeded in cutting herself very badly with
the broken glass, and was carried from
ba In, % u IN
the blood streaming from a wound In her
arm.
Julia Smith was more successful in her
athletic endeayor. and she jumped from
the second story Of the building, striking
her head violently against the pavement
as she came 10 the ground and cutting
and bruising herself painfully.
Alberta Jones, who lives near the fac
tory was thought TO have died Of fright
and was carried home but upon eXamina-
tion she was found 10 have only tainted
and was soon revived. For the time be-
ing, the conditions were decidedly panicky,
but order was soon restored.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The origin OF the fire is purely a mat
ter Of speculation. Mr.. Walker thinks it
may have been caused by a match having
fallen into the tobacco. though there is
i4u ANi kh4NtN VI AAAiFt 1 nc lA4eNAi4+ANAe Ne'~
in full operation at the tine. The extent
of the damage 10 the tobacco by water
cannot be told until il is opened to-mor-
row. Mr. Walker thinks the total loss
will hardly exceed $500 or 5000
The box or drying machine in which
the fire broke out. is l2Xs5 feet and has
been in use in the factory for sixteen
months. The work OF drying the tobacco
there lad been just about completed, aud
the machine would have been moved du-
ring the afternoon 10 the company's new
factory. The work OF removal would
nave taken about two hours
The insurance carried by the firm is as
follows:
Building Home. New York $1,000:
Hamburg Bremen. $4,000. United States.
$1,000; orient. 5000; Hartford $1,000;
Norwich Union. $1,000; Traders, New
York, $1,000. Total, $4,000
Stock-Phoenix. 5000; Hanover, $500;
Union. 10000 New York Underwriters,
s. 600; Queen, s., 800; Imperial, $500; Lon
don and Liverpool. 5000: Virginia State.