The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-11
ANOTHER BIG FIRE
Over 100 Operatives Thrown Out
Of Employment.
VIRGINIA SHIRT FACTORY DESTROYED
Reported That The Enterprise Will
BE Rebuilt, Etc.

Fredericksburg has again suffered a
severe blow by fire, which caused the
loss early Thursday morning Of the fac
tory of the Virginia Shirt Company, on
the National Boulevard, one OF the
most valuable enterprises in the city.
The factory was established IN 1902,
beginning operations Nov. II, IN that
year. The enterprise was built with
funds raised by subscriptions OF stock
by citizens, but for the past several
years the property has been owned by
a smaller number Of stockholders, many
Of the original subscribers TO stock nav,
ing sold out TO the new company formed
under a reorganization. The Factory
has given employment TO large num-
Der Of operatives, the greater proper,
ton being girls and young women, ana
the enterprise has done a large Dusi-
ness. being successful from the very
start.
At the time of the fire orders were
on hand. booked ahead, which would
have kept the factory running until the
spring Of 1910, to say nothing OF orders
that would be coming IN until that tinne-
Over 100 employees have been thrown
out of work at a critical period IN the
winter, lust before the Christmas sea
son. The pay roll of the factory Tor
some time past has been averaging
over $500 per week.
The fire was discovered shortly aIter
1 o clock by Lester Carneal, the watch
man of the Fredericksburg Spoke
Works. Ii is supposed to have caught
from the engine. K. L. Carneal, the
fireman, went to the factory about $40
and after looking after the fire went TO
the residence of Mr.. Arthur Brown, the
superintendent Of the factory. to look
after the furnace in Mr.. Brown 5 house.
The fire alarm was sounded promptly
and the fire department responded
quickly, but owing TO an inadequate
flow of water, the department was
practically powerless TO fight the
flames. as only a three-inch main was
available at that point The fre burned
rapidly and nothing could be saved.
All of the books and papers OF the
company were in the iron safe and it Is
believed that they were saved. Many
private papers, with the once turhi-
ture, etc. were lost along with the ma
chinery and the stock on hand. While
the fire was in progress, the front wall
fell and came near striking some OF
the spectators at the fire. Only the
two side walls Of the building are left
standing.
The insurance on the property. ma
chinery. etc. amounts To 81, 600 and Is
distributed in the companies represent
ed BY the following agencies IN tins
city: Messrs. Chichester & Co, A. q.
Bolts & Co., Col. E. d. Cole. John W.
Allison, Jr.. & Co., Smith & Swift.
Mr.. Brown. superintendent OF the
factory. arrived early. but the IRE
burned so rapidly that nothing could be
done.
1t is reported that the factory Will at
once be rebuilt, and on larger scale
than before. but it will be on new
site, il is stated. unless adequate water
protection can be provided by the city
at the old site.
The destruction of the factory IS re-
GREETED by every citizen, who sympa-
thises with the owners and the en-
plovees. who are for time out OF en-
plovmeut. There is consolation, how
ever. in the report that the enterprise
is to be re-established with prospects
that il will be become a more valuable
institution than ever before.