The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-23
SEABOARD
SHOPS BURN
a Fire in Portsmouth Does
Damage Of S75Q.0OO.
ONE LIFE PROBABLY LOST
Machinlst Who Tried to Save His Tools
So Badly Burned That He Will
Probably Die-Origin ofFire
Is Unknown.
ONE LIFE PROBABLY LOST
tBy Associated pre.s.)

(By Associated press.)
NORFOLK. VA. May 22.-The Sea-
board Air Line Railway shops. minor Of
flces and warehouses. in the outskirts
OF Portsmouth, were practically de-
stroyed by fire, which broke out shortly
after 10 O'Clock tonight
AT n late hour tonight the blaze had
not spent Itself but the destruction OF
nearly every building and car at the
yards was almost complete. AS near
as can be estimated at this time the
loss will foot up to some three quarters
OF a million dollars.
James Harrell rnachinist. who sought
to save the tools with which he earned
his daily bread, was SO badly burned
that he will very probably die, II indeed
he has not already succumbed to his in
juries. No one else was seriously hurt,
so far as can be learned.
COULD NOT FIGHT 1T.
FIrenen from Portsmouth. Norfolk and
Berkley got the hose Into position. but
the heat OF the flames drove them back
before they could approach within many
yards Of the fire. To render matters all
the more hopeless, terrible wind -storm
swept over that portion Of Norfolk
county. A binding cloud OF dust, sand
and grit drove hundreds OF men, women
anl children in every direction in quest
of shelter.
For nearly fifteen minutes the wind
blew at the rate of at least fifty miles
an hour. Several children were hurled
from their feet and sent rolling across
the thoroughfare. Mothcrs became panic
stricken. Hats were blown from heads
and never recovered. Presently refresh
ing shower made Its appearance and soon
cleared up the air. In few minutes
the breeze moderated and veritable pande-
monium resolved itself into a scene Of
comparative tranquility.
In some unaccountable way the fire
broke out about 1915 o'clock in build
ing known as the working shop. situated
In the southern part of the yards. In this
wooden structure was stored large
quantity OF dried lumber. Within a very
few minutes the entire building was in
flames. The wood repairing material burn
ed like hay. In half an hour this wreck
Ing shed as It was called, was falling
in. The flames reached a height OF at least
200 feet, and reached out hungrily on all
{siiisis w Il ~
storage hoEss for the care OF man tons
OF stationary, the supply Headquarters
for the Seaboard In this entire section
OF the country.
MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE.
James Herold, machinist. residing in
Cottage Place, rushed into the wreckins
shed when the blaze was at It's height.
He wns at home asleep when the alarm
sounded. Hastily dressing himself he hilr-
ried out to save his property. Into the.
building he dashed needless of tho pro-.
testations of those about him. A burning
timber fell upon his shoulder bearing him
to the floor. The f1rebrand lay across his
body setting his raimant on fire. When
several men rislsed their own lives to
save the nnachtnest and succeeded In pull
Ing him out into the open air. the unfor
tunatc man was more dead than alive
Drs, McMurrin and Maupin. Seaboard
physicians, administered to him. In re-
moving his clothes, Herolds flesh fell
from his body. He presented spectacle
g-uesome and shocking in the extreme.
A machinist named Penrose Is reported
to haYe been seriously burned while at
tempting to recover his tools. It was
stated that he was seriously wounded by
a falling plank In addition to sustaining
internal and external injuries by IRE,
MANY OUT OF WORK.
Burpee, boss painter was seriously.
though not fatally cut about the head
by flying glass.
Several minor cases were reported, but
on account OF the lateness OF the hour
and the excitement prevailing It was i'm
possible to arrive at a full and complete
detail of facts.
Three hundred men will be thrown out
of employment
Tho working shed, the stationary ware
house, the paint and oil house, offioe
building Of the superintendent OF wood.
work, q large brick building used for
the reception of passenger and sleeping
cars, a in which was located the painting.
shop, the carpents' and cabirstmakers'
shops, fifty or more box cars and eish,
teen passenger coaches. great deal
of the yard trackage was destroyed. Tho
origin OF the fire is not known.
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