The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-18
FIRE AT MISSION
FIRST LOOKED BAD
But Quick and Effective Work
Saved Building From
Utter Ruin.
GOT ALARM AT SERVICE
Policeman Rushed In To Tell
Congregation That Roof
Was Blazing.

| Religious services at the Methods,
Mission, al Nineteenth ana Main
Streets. were brought TO a sudden hal,
shortly before o'clocl; last night by
the appearance Of Policeman Gentry
rushing in to give the alarm of fire
The Rev. J. ", Dixon who has
charge Of the mission and who WAS
conducting the services. was about 10
close when the alarm was avon him.
and. without further delay, he badc his
congregation seek the nearest exits and
so
officer Gentry turned in general
alarm. and several companies respond
ed. The fire was found TO have spreuti
to the entire slate roof. and when tho
iircmen arrived with apparatus. great
holes had been eaten through the wood
work. and the whole building appeared
10 be threatened. The flames are be-
lieved 10 have originated in a small
cuddy hole under the roof They soon
spread until the entire roof was ablazc.
Chemical apparatus was useless. and
the fire was drowned out by numerous
lines of hose worked from both the
outside and the inside
Gund Work Checks Blnzc.
Extension of the blaze was prevent
ed. and the damage TO the building by
fire was moro or less immaterial
though the total damage by both fire
aud water will amount to probably ST.
800 or $1,000. The place was drcnched
from Tor TO bottom Plaster on walls;
and ceiling was SO thoroughly wet
tia; most OF it will have 10 he re-
placed. But injury to the house fur
nishings. whici, WIS by water alone.
can he easily repaired.
The Methodist Mission is refuge
for the poor ana needy, and is usually
throneed during the winter season.
Last night was bitterly cold. and snow
lay three inches on tho ground All
mcndicants had taken refuge in one
or other Of the abodeS provided Ivy
charity. and there were more than nifty
guests" OF the Nineteenth Street Mis-
sion last night. All Went out quietly.
and mono was hurt As soon as he
heard OF the fire. the Rev James
Buchanan. general secretary OF tho AS
socintcd Charities offered to care for
those made homeless. Twenty five
were sen; 10 the Associated Charities
building, ana the others were per-
mtted 10 remain in the undamagcd
rooms, of which there were several in
the Methodist Mission.
Mr.. and Mrs Dixon occupied apart
mcnts on the third floor OF the mission
house, but Mrs. Dixon and her infan,
4 t'iId are on visit to her father
Bishop Denny. of Nashville. Tenn Mrs
, Dixon has been i'll for some time aud
VIII soon undergo an operation for
appendicitis Mrs. John Mclean. wife
of the hous" superintendent . her
daughter and Miss sellers and Miss
Roberts, who aid in the mission work
ana have rooms in the building were
invited by Charles W. Iardwiclc. of
zoo East Grace Street, one Of the
directors. to spend the night a; his
home. Mr.. Dixon and Mr.. Mclean re-
manned behind 10 watch
Water Damage Heavy.
Most of Mr.. Dixon's effects were
saved and there was little damage in
his apartment. but most OF The rooms
were covered in water. and were rem
dcred uninhabitablc
The mission Is owned BY the Motbo-
dlst Mission Association which carries
about $4,000 Insurance on the building
ample enous! TO cover the damage. Mr.
DIXON has been In charge two vnore
but ti.' mission Is now in the twelftI
year OF It's existence. Here thousand.
of the poor and nccdv have hnar
clothed ana fed. and here wanderer.
| from all corners Of the country have
sought and received shelter In gen
oral usefulness the mission combarcs
with the Associated Charities
The history of the place dates back
more than hundred wears. for It wa.
once the United States Hotel. and ,hr
most famous hosiery in Richmond
| Here. according TO local history. La
fayette was received when he came &c
bear arms for the colonies against ,he
mother country and here he danced
at reception given in his honor Al.
| most opposite Is the stf OF a small
stone building. which popular tradition
says was once Wash.ngton's hcadquar-
J tiers
The building is said to he the oldest
! type Of q colonial hou3c IN Richmond
and tic biz rooms. with their high
ceilings. and the wide. hand fashioned
| staircase, are still to he seen As a
! historical landmark tic place ranks
as one Of the oldest In Richmond.
/ Repairs will he begun immdciatcIv
ana within short time tho SUFFERING
poor viii here he received ana nour-
4 lsacd again.