The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-25
for $1,000, which Is probably nearly
two thirds the value OF the building,
which was very old
STIRRING SCENES
DURING BIG BLAZE
Fire Crew Escapes Down Hose
Line-Negroes Rescued
From Roof.

f,S 'Hc IRE guinea neauWay the coun-
ty jail filled with smoke. but before
alarm could spread among the thirty
three prisoners Deputy-Sheriff Sydnor
had arranged to have them removed
to the city Jail. Patrol wagons We're
hurried to the courthouse and the
prisoners transferred without diff
Guilty.
W. Dallas Wright and the two ne
groes, Richard Perkins and Ed. Jones,
convicted murderers Of Buckins ha nj
county, who are awaiting a new trial,
were sent to the city lookup in charge
Of w. n. Grubbs
For some time it was thought that
the jail was in danger of destruction.
but as soon as the flames on adjoin-
ing property had been suhdued the
ienrico prisoners were returned to
their cells. They We're again under
lock and key in the county Jail before
o'clock last night.
Firemen In Danger.
one OF the most spectacular features
OF the confederation was the escape Of
members Of Engine Company No. TO-
who were penned UP on the third floor
iandinE OF the fire escape in front OF
the factory Failing walls made It
danserous to return BY the fire escape
\ hose line with which this crew had
neen playing upon the lenping flames
was made to serve as an avenue of es-
cape, and one by one the ladies came
DOWN 1t. sailor fashion, until mono but
Chief Ratio remained He held the
upper end of the hose until all but he
had safely descended to the pavement
throwing the hose to the ground.
chief Ratio started TO leave his peril
Gus post by means OF the fire escape.
warning cries of the crowd did not
"eter him. and, despite falling bricks
ana deluge Of water from many
streams and one broken line he made
his way to the ground,
lie gave no thought to his own
safety until the men under his care
had been placed beyond the danger
zone.
Negroes Rescued from Roor.
Deputy Sheriff Sydnor, assisted nv
" J. Fulmer Bright. acting coroner
az the county, rescued twenty negro
women whose avenue OF escape lad
neen cut off and they had sought
sefuge Oh top OF the Williams build
ms shortly after the fire was discov-
cred The plight of the panc-stricken
women was seen by the deputy sheriff
ana ,, physician, and they hurried TO
thelr aid Ladders We're Forthcoming.
ana just before the walls of the
warehouse caved In all Of them had
been brought to safety.
Whcn hose wagon No. 3 broke an
axle as it turned into Main Street from
Governor, Wien responding to the
alarm. the members OF the crew were
thrown to the ground but all escaped
uhhurt except Fireman Charles fIirsch.
terg. One Of his legs was badly
mashed The city ambulance was call
ed, and tho injured man was later
taken to Station No. 2. and his wounds
dressed.
Overcome by Smoke.
Robert Smith. a member of the crew
of Truck Company No /. was over
come by smoke while al work in the
main building. Companions brought
him to the roof of the shipping de-
early stages OF the fire. and no lad
Gers had been placed at this point.
One was grabbed from a nearby COM
bination wagon, but it was many feet
too short TO reach the top OF the low
building.
However, Dir. Doherty IIinchman.
who was on the scene insisted upon
going up this ladder. Firemcn held tho
lower end off the ground, and even
then the top did not reach the roof
by five feet. DR.. Hinchman climhcd
up and upon reaching the last round
was drawn to the top Of the struc-
ture by men who were on the build :
ing.
lie at once administered oxygen 20
tho patient. who revived shortly af-
forwards.
The major portion OF the work In
getting the blaze under control was
done by the water towers of trucks
Nos. and Q, which poured great
streams through the windows from the
Twenty-first Street side.
Used High Pressure
This work was made more effective
by tile high pressure which was turn
ed In from the New Reservoir at the
order OF Superintendent Davis The
low pressure in the west end Of the
city would have been inadequate to
cope with the situation.
City Electrician Thompson was carly
on hand TO superintend the cutting of
wires, which was done under the d.
rection OF Inspector Speights. Inspec-
tor strihling, Of the Virginia Railway
and Power Company, was also in
charge OF a crew of electricians, who
cut off the current in the vicinity Of
the blazing buildings.
The fire apparatus Of the Whitlocl
branch OF the American Tobacco Com
pany was put at the service of the
-irn No., Az