Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-02-03
RUTHERFORD HOME
WRECKED by FIRE
BAD BLAZE NEAR TOWN
While People Stood Helpless to
Prevent Flames Destroyed
Fine Residence

Fire in the country IN all lGs nOrHoI,
raging unconquerable while people
stood by unable to turn hand tc
check it, Tuesday afternoon practi-
cally destroyed the residence on the
Rutherford property. one mile from
Staunton on the Greenville road.
Originating in smoke house. imme-
diately adjoining, sparks ignited the
single roof Of the dwelling and in a
comparatively short time the flames
had wrecked the structure beyond
further occupancy. Mr.. John Ruther-
foru stated that the house was valued
at 1000. Insurance in the East
Augusta Mutual Company amounts
to 50. 400. The interior of the house
was ruined as was the roof, leaving
only the four brick walls intact.
Smoke house and contents were COM
pletely destroyed. Furniture and
household effects were saved.
That the smoke house was on fire
was discovered about 80 O'Clock and
Mr.. Rutherford, farm hands and
several neighbors hastily organized a
bucket bridge in an effort to subdue
the flames. The wind was blowing,
however. and sparks were carried to
the roof of the dwelling. Some say
that had ladder long enough to
raach the roof been available at this
time the house would doubtless have
been saved. it was also stated that
the fire had been in progress for thirty
minutes before it attacked che resi-
dence.
An alarm for the local department
was turned in, but it wasEqulte a
few minutes before the chemical wagon
made the run to the scene. The fire
was outside of the city limits, and
the department did not respond to the
alarm until SO ordered by Mayor
Wayt. Once there the local firemen
rendered valuable service in helping
tho volunteer brigade to save the con
tents of tie house.
Through their efforts little OF thu
household equipment was lost, even
the window sash, doors and blind'
being removed in time to places O
safety. Owing to it's brick construc
ton the house burr ed slowly and tn
salvage corp had plenty of time to d
it's work thoroughly.
Much of the furniture was distribu
fed about the lawn in front of tn
house where it was exposed to tn
weather, however, -and was thu
damaged to some extent before
could be moved to within-door.
Many people from town visited tn
scene of the fire and there was cIns
of automobiles and other vehicles ths
at times blocked the road. Thss
with the firenen and others worke
vaiiantly with buckets until late !
the afternoon or until the fire "
completely extinguished, not evs
one smolderlng spark being left alive
All receptacles, of every description
that would hold water, being in us;
certain Stauntonians hal thel
chauffeurs drive to the nearest store
, and return with new tin bucket
that they might assist in fightin
the fire.
The house that was destroyed an
the property surrounding it wei
purchased ~ years ago by Mr.. Jo}'
Rutherford from the late Thomi
Burke, and was occupied by M
Rutherford and his wife, the
daughter, Miss Lottie and their &C
John A. Rutherford, the rural ma
carrier, and his wife and children
II was an attractive brick structure
two stories high, and was one OF Ct
prettiest country homes in Angus
county.
Mrs. John Rutherford has been
for some time and was in her bed
home when the fire was discovere
She was removed from the hou
Immediately and was later broug'
to the Kings Daughters Hospita
where last night she was reported
be resting confol tably. althous
suffering naturally from nervo'
shock.
u Airs. Minor Jones >and three so