Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-07
THE OLD III HG.
Storm. High Wnter. and I~ncendiar
Fire.

IlFt.
FREDERICKSBURG. VA. March c.
Cspecial)-An electrical. rain, and wind
storm. equal IN severity 10 those OF MD
ummer. passed over this section Satui-
day night and early yesterday morning.
So heavy was the fan Of rain that the
river began rising at an early hour j
continued Until this morning, when 1t be-
gan TO recede. The height Of the water
was the greatest since the Johnsto"h
food. and considerable damage along the
lowlsnds has resulted. The steamer Rich-
mond. which arrived in the midst Of the
storm. after considerable difficulty sue
ceeded in landing. About 4 o'clock THIS
morning. however. she broke her cable
ana driftcd some distance down the river
before she could be gotten under control.
Fortunately, though, she was uninJured'
and is now anchored midway the river,
waiting 20 again make the wharf.
To add 10 the horrors Of the night, N
while the storm was at its worst, Inc
alarm Of fire was sounded, and those VINO
brayee the elements to attend saw on
leaving their homes an exceedingly bright
light in the direction Of the railroad. At
irst II was thought n Of the large
buildings in that neighborhood was burn
Ing. II turned out, though. that a brlch
dwelling several squares lower down was
shre. The building and it's contents were
Entirely consumed, and IL was with dill
guilty that the adjoining property was
saved. The building was used as a wheel
wright and carriage-Tepair shop, ana the
fire was supposed TO have been caused by
lightning. This morning, however, suiii-
cient evidence has been brought TO Ugh.
10 disclose the fact that the building was
set afire. While there Is no direct clue 10
the i%ncendiary. the officers hope. with the
Information In their possession. 10 be able
10 capture him. The property was own
sd by Charles Grayson. and fully insured.
The contents. belonging to Mr.. Robinson,
we're uninsured.
Ii was with deep regret that many citi-
zens here learned to-day OF the death OF
DR.. w. q. Jeffries. which occurred at his
home. in Tappahannock, Friday. The de-
ceased was widely known in this section,
and had a large circle OF friends, who
will mourn his demise.
Mr.. Edgar Goodrich. while at work at
the silk-mill. fell and broke his left arm.
Ills right hand was also painfully bruised.
Mr.. James \. Johnson. an aged citizen
of Caroline county. died at his home, near
Guinea. Friday. He was in the 10th year
of his age.
Mrs. W. 5. Daniels. of Richmond, is the
guest OF relatives IN the city.
Rev. James Z. Smith. of the Southern
Presbyterian. preached both morning and
night I'm the Presbyterian church here
yesterday. DR.. Smith for many years
was pastor of this church, and has q
large circle Of friends in this city anc
section.
"Ny Old Virginia Home Upon the
Farm IS the title Of a new SONG. dedi'
Gated TO Colonel.E. ID. Cole. OF the Gov
errors staff. The words and music arr
by Mr.. harrington l.. Brannan. of New
York. Mr.. Brannan, I'm a letter 60 Colo
mel Cole. says over 27O copies were sole
before it came from the press.
IL was with peculiar pleasure our citi
gems read in yesterdays Dispatch the cal
extended by the University of Virginia
TO Professor Thomas Fitzhugh, OF tn
Texas University. Professor Fttzhush !
a native of this city, and his man
friends extend their heartiest congratu
~lations.
In addition 10 the $500 left to Trinit
church in his will by Major w. Key How
ard a debt. which, with interes
amounts 10 $500. due the estate by III
church. has been cancelled by Mrs. How
ard W. X. Howard. A. Randolph HOWARD
and Clarence Howard.
Mr.. William Durey. an aged citizen
stafford, died at his home, in that count.
Thursday. He was In the 69th year {
his age. and Is survived by fourteen Chi
dren.
A. Il. Rawlings, Commonwealth's Attol
ney OF Spotsylvania. is dangerously IL
Reports from his bedside his evening
indicate but little hope for recovery.