The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-31
RIcHMOND's HOTEL FIRE.
DESTRUCTION OF THE JEFFERSON
CAUSES MUCH REGRET.

Only the Two Clock Towers and Part
OF the franklin Street Front Re-
mains of Lewis Ginter's Fine
BuiIding-The Wide Corridors and
Numerous StairNvays Made Escape
of Guests Ensy-Firemen Cut on
and Had Narrow Escape-JefTer-
sons Statue safe with Neck
Broken.
Richmond, Va, March SO-The magnii-
cent Jefferson Hotel, the pride of Rich
mond, was practically wiped out by fire
early. this morning. All that remains of
the splendid structure, which was built
and furnished by the late Lewis Ginter,
at a cost of over s1,OOO,OOO, are the two
clock towers and part Of the court 'front.'
ing on Franklin street. The fire was dis
covered near midnight high up on the
Main street section of the building and
was not considered serious at first. The
hotel apparatus was brought into play,
but the hose burst. The flames spread
rapidly, and messengers were sent
through the building to awaken the
guests, many Of whom had ito be dragged
out OF bed. There was a general rush
toward the Franklin street part. The fire
made an immense light, and
ia short time the vicinity
was thronged with all classes, many per-
sons giving expression to their emotions
in tears. The fire department worked
heroically, but under the greatest difficult
ty owing TO the hight OF the building. At
one time it was thought that the middle
section and the Franklin street section
could be saved, but the former was soon
swept out and the latter practically ruin
ed In the latter were a number Of very
valuable pictures and Valentines marble
statue of Jefferson. The statue was saw
ed with the head broken off and the pic
lures were gotten out, as were much of
the drapery and furniture. All the guests
escaped.
Mr.. Richards, travelling man of Dan
Vile, Va, was the only guest hurt. He
broke his leg in falling down a fight of
steps. A Richmond boy named Robert
son is missing. 1t is feared he was caught
in the burning building. Several firemen
were more or less injured, but none Sc
riously. The insurance on the building is
about $500, 900. The jefferson was opened
ABOUT SIX years ago ana Was one Oh lue
finest hotels in the South. 1t occupied
a full half block and was regarded as
practically freproof The fire originated
in the linen room and, it is supposed, from
a defective electric wire. All the guests
in the Main street part lost their bag
gage The emptying of the hotel of
guests was singularly free from any
dramatic scenes, owing to the wide cor
ridors and the number of staircases.
But one building beside the hotel was
destroyed. This was the Pace flats, on
the East Main street side of the hotel
Reports were current of loss of life
among the firemen, but investigation
shows that they were not true. Eight or
ten firemen under Capts Wise and Humid
ley, were cut off high up in the Main
street part of the hotel, and made their
escape by sliding down the hose and the
fire escapes. Capt. Wise was seriously
burned about the hands and face. George
S. Wilson of Washington. H. NJ. Wright
of New York, r. o. Wilson of New
York, r. d. Apperson of Staunton. Va,
were late in discovering that the build
ing was afire and had to make run for
safety.