The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-24
WILLIAMS BUILDING
WHOLLY DESTROYED
Large Four-story Structure, oc-
cupied by Several Firms,
Burned to Floor.

The destruction by fire of the WIZ
liams building, large four story brick
structure. about 100 feet square, located
ut the northwest corner of Ninth and
Cary Streets. at nm early hour yester-
diIy morning, was practically complete.
AS told in this paper yesterday morn
ing. the building was occupied by the
Adams aud Southern Express Com
panies. the Surbrug Company, tobacco
manufacturers; the Williams Slate
Company, and as an armory and drill
hall by the Richmond Light Infantry
Blues Battalion.
BY a brilliant and strenuous battle
against what seemed uncomfortable
flames, the Fire Department succeeded
in confirming the fire almost wholly to
this building. The temperature was
low. and a Keen, cutting wind was
blowing, making the work of the fire
men under such conditions not only
creditable. but heroic. lncrusted with
fee. they stood for many hours direct
Ing the Ice-covercd hose into the seetll-
ing furnace of flame and against ad-
Joining property. IL was magnificent
work. The destruction OF the build
Ing was a foregone conclusion from the
moment of discovery of the fire.
Twisted masses OF iron, a few charred
and blaclened joists. four leaning. totter-
ing, half demolished walls and pile OF
tangled debris are all that now remain OF
the large. handsome structure which lately
stood on the northwest corner OF Ninth
and Cary Streets. Signs OF the. various
arms that had occupied the building flap
ned Idly in the strong wind. serving as
ynocking reminders OF the disaster that
had bcfallen tile owners The south walls
ara leaning OF dangerous angle over
Cary street. threatening TO fail at any
minute.
Part OF the southeast corner wall Was
l.y=Nsp "A.
truck ladder was reared against the whll.
n rope was thrown over the topnost
part. and crowd OF sturdy fremen be-
low did the rest. The wall came top
pling down. adding to the already huge
pila OF debris which blocked the streets,
Early I'm the afternoon large force
Of the street Department was called
out to help remove the debris. so that
vehicles could pass tn and fro. The
men shoyeled aside the burnt bricks and
mortar and soon had Ninth street clear
ed. so that traffic could continue without
interrlIption. and then turned their atten-
ton to Cary Street
Firenen Long on Duty.
Demolition was complete. Even after
the blaze had done its worst. the flames
continued to play in and out among the
smouldering ruins, and the hose was kep'
on tho debris all tie day and late into
the least danger that spark Nigh,
cause another and equally destrucucs
blaze Volumes of smoke continued &c
arise, and all that the Fire Department
could hope to do was to prevent tbs
smouldering flames from spreading to the
numerous adjoining buildings. The higi
wind prevailed all day, and at any mo-
ment a spark might be carried to some
building nearby.
The firenen had to be on the alert al
through the weary hours that foliowet
the excitement of one of the most In
tense and tiercest fires that have oc
cured In the city for years.
Thousands of the curious and eager
eyed visited the ruins all through tn
day People came in automobiles, IL
carriages and on foot In the Afternoon
the opposite side of the street wa
thronged with mass of humanity. al
exclaiming at the disastrous effect o
the fire, or else gazing at the ruins Il
silent wonderInent. Policemen on guar
had great. dttlcultysin Keeping the crow
back from coming too close to tn
threatened walls. But people continue
to come and go, and fully 10000, posi-
bly, thousands more, came to view tn
ruins still srnoudering in pile
ashes and debris,
There was little need to ask questions
the ashes and broken brick and the MOCK
ing signs We're only too eloquent IN tn
story they told Every spot that ma
been touched by water was covered VII