The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-05-05
The WEST POINT FIRE.

9NtHN away nT I'M
Fiames-Fiftyt two Business Houses
and Homes Destroyed-Loss Esti-
mated at 500, 900, and Insurance
Only About One-third
The fire at West Point Friday morning
swept away four squares, the entire bus
ioess part OF the town. de.rroyiug fifty
two business houses and dwellings. and
leaving thirty or more families homeless
The people fought with great determine
ton, but they We're pOwerlass against
the ravages OF the flames The frame
structures went like chat before a wind
Great mbers were swept TO the roofs Of
distant houses aud fresh fires started
Wet blankets hung in front Of buildings
20 protect them would burst in flames.
The whole town seemed destined TO
destruction, and Richmond was tele
graphed TO for aid A troia was made
up and an engine sent. L. took some
time To get started. and dawn WAS breat-
ing when the hichmond fremen reached
the little town at the head of York River
The engine proved useless. Tor il could not
use salt water. an supply iresh water
was not available. but the contlagration
was about over. The total loss il est
mated at between 500. 600 RndSI25..
600. and the insurance. Is hardly thiro
T OF this amount. These are estimates only
and correct tabthation of the lozss..
and insurance cannot be made as vet. n
business records are with the business
! houses-Rll ia ashes There Is not "a bus
/ mess establishment left
Ii not thought that the suffering will
I be great Supplies Will be sert from
Richmond. and the homeless will b. cared
for until such time a. the town can he
/ put upon its feet again
J. HnIInryfusr mr. Of L.. {. ...I
losses and an estimate a. far a. practi
cable OF the amount Of Insurance carried.
Isaac i.evinson. stock $1,000 and
/ building $500; insurance. s. 900 j.
! Hess n Son. store : = 900: insurance of
known. II. aud J L. bland A Bell.
store, ! 1000; insurance. 81 500 Dr.
u. l. Davis. residence. II 500. ".
1 4. Davis, retidence. : 800. insur.
ance, $500 John h. Davis. resi-.
dence. 81 900. Estate Of Mrs. l.. d Courh.
$500. ;. II. Gauit. residence. not csii-
mated. Estat" ri j Y. Bond residence.
81 500, insurance. 81 600 Disciples
Church. - 800 J. " Marrhall. re-i.
dence. s, 800; Insurance. S2.QTJ. Nor
gan Treat. dwelling. - 500; assurance.
) 900 Morgan Treat. Grove Hotel.
post-of'ice. and drugstore. 81 600: insur
snce. $500, Morgan Treat. dwelling.
81 300; Insurance, 8 900 Ned Blank a
Bro, three stores, 81 600. The Plain
llealer. newspaper, loss not estimated
Williams 4 Fogg and j. L. Sohm. lnsses
not known. W. & Davis. store. 81 600.
stock, 81 900 L. Wilkinson. -. 500: in
surauce, $1,000 +. Wilkinson. 81 500:
insurance. $1,000 Roberts House. hotel.
loss n"testimated Hausfori Anderson
dwelling, $4,000; insurance, $1,000
Mrs J. X. Cavan, store, 81 900 T. Is.
Hughes, three houses. $4,000 Southern
express Company. loss not estimated
j. W. Owens. sore, $1,000; Insurance
81 600. Squire Lacy. dwelling. 5000
Waiter Kirby. store, 5000 Hansford
Anderson, store. - 500; Insurance. ST.
900. Guthrie 4 Malcott. stock. 81 600.
Seven houses owned by Mrs W + Lips
comb value not estimated; total loss:
insurance not known The Hill Grocer,
Store. =, 500; insurance. 81 600