Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
sMELr SMOKE SOME TIME BEFORE.
Indications That Fire Bad shoulder
cd Long Before breaking Cat.

Indications That Fire IN" em""i"cr-
cd Long Before breaking Cat.
Colonel c. OBJ. Cowardin. wife, and lit
tie son, Henry. returned from New YORK
Sunday evening via the Old Dominion
Line and Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
from old Point. They were guests at tie
Wiadscr Ectel at the time Of the recent
horror. When asked as to the origin OF
the fire. Colonel COwardin stated that he
did not believe at all in the theory that
it was caused by match being thrown
into curtain on the Madison-avelre
front near Twenty-seventh street.
"Why." said he that morning at
o'clock. when | entered my room, No. $685.
on the third floor l thought l detected
the smell Of charred wood. and asked my
wife if she had burned anything in the
room during my absence She replied that
She had not. nor did she detect any such
odor. On returning to my room with my
little boy, at 1890. l again observed the
same odor, and asked him if he noticed
t.. end he replied in the negative. Just
before 3 o'clock. when we reached the
corrJooI nearing our room when return
ing from lunch, l perceived the same ouor
Of charred wood i'm this hall, and askeI
my wife again if she did not perceive II.
STARTED TO TELL MIR. LELAND.
IL was strongly tempted to go to Mr..
Leland and give him my impressions, but
my wife and lady friend OF ours VINO
was with US treated the matter so lightly
that unfortunately changed my mind. l
believe now. beyond a doubt, that that
fire had been smouldering In the walls or
Gues OF the hotel from the third floor to
the TOP on the southeastern side since
morning. This theory it seems 10 me-
can alone account for the fearful rapidity
with which the huge structure was de-
molshed. though before anything was
known of the extent Of the ire gentie-
man informed me that the hotel structure
was a mere shell.
When asked about his fortunate escape
f~or, the five. Colonel Cowardin said: Il
ann profoundly sensible Of the interposi-
zion of a Merciful Providence, which
snatched us as it were from that fiery
furnace. in which so many lives We're
lost and ] am also most grateful for the
many Lindnesses which were showered
upon Us i'm New York. and deeply touched
Inv the thousands of congratulations we
have received from friends and acquaint-
anccs.
"The morning alter the HIe IcSclfN"
MESSAGES and congTatulatory kilograms
from as far south as Atlanta. one from
Mr. W. L. Gullaudcu. vice-president OF
The Old Dominion Line. offered congratu-
lat.ons and any money l might need. In
procuring necessary articles having LOST
All orr wardrobe. save that on our backs
the storekeepers were most sympathizlhs
and oblging. and were ready 10 pun them-
selves out in any way to serve US.
ON THE BRINY DEEP.
"On our return trip" Colonel Cowardin
continued. I'VE seemed at first TO nave
been saved from the fire TO be lost IN
the ocean, We sailed on that magnlii-
cent ship the jamestown. which a week
or so ago had such a thrilling escape from
being burned at sea. We left New YORK
at 4 O'Clock j. NJ in a driving rain, ana
at Q o'clock ran into dense fog. inc
dismal fog whistle was blown with slight
intcrmssion from that time until IL
O'Clock Sunday morning. Captain Boa2
did not leave the pilot-house until noon
Sunday. When asked what sort OF wea-
ther he experienced. that quiet but grand
old salt replied that IL was nasty night
and one of the worst he had ever expe-
rienced As uncomfortable as was the
tourney TO many OF the seasick ano
frightened ladies, the generous ana poilt'
attention of Purser J. Il. Leweillng aho
other officers and servants in the end
served 10 make one forget the high seas
and dangerous fogs.