The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-31

F .
to the elevator, catching the last trip
down. He succeeded in saving all his
baggage. In gnther1ng up his baggage,
Mr.. Wright got a grip belonging to Mr..
Henry ETben. of Philadelphia, with whom
he had been talking a short while be-.
fore. The two gentlemen became separat-
ed in the rush. Mr.. Erben later turned
up at Ford's HOTEL while Mr.. Wright
was entertained by Mrs. Carr. No. 100
East Grace Street. He will leave Mr..
Erbens satche at that number, where
he secure it.
Mr. E. f. Wilson, of New York, lost all
he hsu with him in personal property. He
didn't think much of the fire at first
and iollied the people who were rushing
about the hotel. He is a. jolly traveller
himself, but when hn found it necessary
to change his mind about the fire. he
could not reach his room, No. o1I, and
as result he is now carrying around
an empty dressing case. He put up at
Ford's and will remain here until Mon
day.
Mr.. w. S. Matthews and wife, of Louis
vile, Ky, were also guests at the ho-
tel. Just before time to re..re Mr.. Mat
theWs tried to use the annunciator to
order refreshments. It would not work
and he aughingly said:
I'll call the fire-boy"
Almost Immediately the alarm of fire
was heard.
Mr.. and Mrs. Matthews got out in
SAFETY and were taken to the home OF
MIR. Thomas Atkinson.
HE SAVED HIS PAPERS,
Mr II. d. Apperson, of Stanton, took
great chances in getting to his room. No
SOl on the third floor Main-Street wing.
He, with his wife, had just returned from
the theatre. When they reached the hotel
smoke and flames were spreading. Mr..
10
the office, but in that room was a little
satchel containing important papers. He
ran up the stairs, through the dense
smoke. and reached his room. He pick
ed up his satchel and was about to gather
Up other articles OF value. belonging to
himself and wife, when a fireman ran to
the door and shouted to him to get out
quick, if he wished to save himself
Mr.. Apperson didn't need second note
of warning. but hurried through the halls
and down the stairs, where he was joined
by Mrs. Apperson. and the two quickly
made their exit with the crowd, and in a
few minutes angry flames had taken po-
secession of the portion Of the building in
which their room was located They had
been in the city on a shopping trip but
everything they had with them. except
the contents OF the satchel. was lost.
Mr.. W. B. Tams. also OF Stanton, oc-
cupied room 403 on the fourth floor He
was placdly smoking and reading the
paper in the lobby when the fire started.
He did not think there would be much to
cause alarm and continued to read. He
soon found out his mistake. and then it
was too late to save any Of his personal
effects.
SHOULD BE REBUILT.
Col. John s. Cunningham, of North
Carolina. was stopping at the Jefferson
when the unfortunate fire occurred. In
speaking to Times reporter. he said that
he believed tho Jefferson would be
speedily rebuilt. that it was ali orna-
ment to Richmond and the South: that
Richmond is the most historic city in the
United States, and is known in all parts
of the world, and with proper efforts the
hotel will be speedily rebuilt. II noticed
said Col. Cunningham. that nearly
twenty States were represented at the
Jefferson during the last few days.
There was never in the history Of the
United States so much money in circula-
ton as at the present time and if the
present owners saw fit not to build, be-
lieve if q strong committee OF the best
business men OF the city would visit New
York and Boston, and lay before them
the wonderful advantages that Rich
n.ond possesses they would freely and
willingly invest in this new hotel. 1t IS
phys Hotel and the other well located
hotels of the city are usually filled and
the Jefferson has built up u reputation
throughout the country that the city OF
Richmond and those who owned the motel
cannot afford to lose
Il notice. said the North Carolinian.
changing the subject, that you all viii
soon have Constitutional Convention II
is of very great Importance, and l am
satisfied thar their every action will be
wise and for the best interest OF the
Commonwealth.
THANKS EXPRESSED.
a gentleman who was taken IN as a
guest with a family on West Grace
Street sent the following to The Times:
las a guest With my family at the
Hotel Jefferson on the night OF the ire.
| deem it to be my duty and a privilege
to express in this public manner on their
behalf. and I am sure on behalf OF the
numerous other guests In the hotel, our
thanks for. and our high appreciation of
the sympathy and marked courtesies eN-
tended to US by the residents in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the hotel. Not only
were offers OF services rendered but in
many cases their homes were freely
opened to us for the night, and l have no
doubt others besides myself were COM
PEELED for the want of shelter to avail
ourselves of these kind offers. The
generous. refined and hospitable nature
Of our fellow countrymen of the South is
proverbal, and well known to those liv
ing OF the older generation. but in this
instance and to some Of us, we will carry
memories of a stirring event in the city
OF Richmond. graccd by acts to US of
generous Kindness on the part of her peo-
pie which will remain for the rest Of our
lives