THE MOST DISASTROUS FIRE RICHMOND HAS EXPERIENCED...
1
S4N0E OF THE THERMOMETER. The thermometer ranged as.follows at The Times office yesterday: 9 ?. ?., &?; 12 M.. ?·2: 3 P. ÄL. 60; 6 P. M.. *tS; 9 P. M.. <*; 12 M. 12. Average. IS 1-3. WEATHER rWTCC4ST. ror.cast f^r Saturday s*>nd Sunday : Virginia and North Carotlr**-1U»f Suturtftiy. fr>'¡. to briste easterly wind* Sunday, rain. » - ? VOL. 10. NO. 42. RICHMOND. VAv SATURDAY. MARCH 30.. 1901 PKICE TWO CENTS TRUE VIRGINIA HOSPITALITY Never Was it More Nobly Exhibited. HOMES THROWN OPEN Guests of Hotel Become \ Guests of Richmond's Citizens. ALL WERE WELL CARED FOR. 'Viihir-a Few Hours After the Fiâmes Had Gained the Mastery, All of More Than Three Hundred Strangers >*.cre Comfortably Housed in Homes, Hotels mid Clubs oi the City. Virginia, and especially lliehmoud. Mspitality was never more nobly shown than Jast night. Those who had been guest«» of the burnir· Jeffer¬ son Iloiel became guests of Richmond's best citizens. Offers poured iu from ¡rue immediate ndghborhooa of the doomed hotel, and from distant parts of the. city, to lake iu those who b;id i been burned out. In many instances ! these offer«· were accepted, and those : who had been startled from their beds i were taken into refined homes, where every consideration was shown them- There were over ithree hundred gueScs :it ihe Jefferson, and within a ¦ tew hours after the llames gained the mastery, these Avere ail coinfurtabiy ! housed, cither In privale residences, at j the clubs, or oilier hotels of the city. Many others were ready aud anxious Po rr.ro for those who had beeu thus inh'»*?pli:ibjy turned out into the night by the direst disaster that lias befallen Richmond since the evacuation. Messrs. Yirghijus Newton and Thomas ¡ Atkinson kept open lionse, and contee and other refreshments were liberally dispensed to the brave firemen who worked so faihtfully so save Richmond's handsome hotel and through whose noble , .«.urk the aljoining jiroperty was mostly j saved. Their houses, as well as those oi" nil others in the neighborhood, were j thrown open and everything possible done for the comfort of everyone. AVHERE THEY ARE SOW. A p*rti:iì list of the guests and where they arci quartered follows; j Mr. and Airs. E. D. Nason, and E. H. Lntrop. oi Springfield, Ma*s., are at the | home of Mr. Thos. Atkinson. j ? gentleman and his wife at Mrs. Edward Buck's, ? Centiemai: find wife at Mr. Fred rieas- ; ar.«««". Three ladies at Mr. Edward Mayer's, i- fMrs. Deshler, Miss Deshler and Miss '.James at Mr. James B. Pace's. Mrs. Fred Meyers and daughter, of ? Xew York, and Mr. ?. M. Straus, of ! Richmond, at home of Mrs. Edel. Mr. j Straus and his wife lived at the Jefferson. in rooms furnished by themselves. He estimates his loss at *>:,000 with $2,000 in- su ranee. Mrs. Brown and daughter, of Boston, at Mr. "Levin Joynes". Three of the maids at the Jefferson at Mrs. Prt-ston Cocke's, three with Mrs. ! Fitzhugh Mayo, nine with Dr. George ! Ross, three with Colonel E. S. Hobson, three with Mr. Edward Mayo. Captain Parker, of New York, formerly i of United States navy, at the Common¬ wealth Club. .Tames II. Logan, son of General T. M. ; Logan, at Commonwealth Club. At the Lexington: Mr. Blumgard. New York: AV. T. Smith, Philadelphia.: C. II. Mereomb. Philadelphia; George W. Tap- ! ley and wife, A. X. Mayo and wife, and A. D. Near and wife, Springfield, "Mass.; H. C Demson and wife. Xew Bedford, i Mass.: W. M. Marks Sutton, Xew York; j ?\\ ?. Morriss. Virginia: Y. Vincent j Jones, Xew York; AY. A. alacMahon, Xew i York: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Law- : rencc. Boston: Dr. AValter L. Hull, Bos- ton: Ira AV. Foushell. Baltimore; R. L. ; «»¡edge. Baltimore; J. B. Scott. Baltimore. At Xew Ford's: Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Wil¬ son, Pittsburg; Gerhard Mennan, Newark. N. .).: W. W. Causey, 'New York; Mrs. !.. K". AVharton. Ipsilanti. Mich.; Miss Hat- vie Swift, Ipsilanti, Mich.: H. D. Merick j-.nd wife, AVashington; E. F. AVilson, New York; G. F. Coshland, Xew York; C. C. Otila, New York; Chas. E. Hallowell, Xew York: R. J. Reynolds. Winston, N. C; F. E. Bedwel!, Chicago: E. II.' Lathrop, Spriiiglicld. Mass.; Miss F. E. Harwood, Miss V. C. Harwood and Miss E. A. Bed- v.ell. Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Moran. Chicago: George S. AVilson, AVashington: John AV. Douglas, AVa-ähington; ?. E. Dude. New A'ork; «T. M. Hall and wife. Providence. R. 1.; John M. Richmond. 'Providern·.-. It. Ï.; E. A. Khouri. Xew York; ?\". R. Sweeney, Wash¬ ington; Henry Erben. Philadelphia; J. J. McCarthy, Chicago: Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Baker, Boston; A. H. Kayton, Xew t York; E. Schultz, Arlington, X. A*.; Mrs. 1-. S. Ellsworth. Simsbury, Conn.; H. E. Ellsworth, Simsbury. Conn.; S. AV. Dodge, Simsbury. Conn.: B. C. Toft, Xew York: !.. ]'. Stearncs and wife, Newport News; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Squire, Cleveland: J. R. Shemmed, Bal- timore; Louis Barron. Xew A'ork: J. A. l'avis. Baltimore; J. B. Monroe, Boston; E. Macnier. Philadelphia: E. E. Mueler, Washington: Dave L. Rice, Xew A'ork; Frank Harris, AVestehester, Pa.; S. B. AYatcrs. Xew A'ork; J. C. Short. Xew York; Mr. and Mrs. E. AValsh, Jr., St. Louis: Frank AV. Levy. Xew A'ork; Mr. and Mrs. Hale. Elizabeth, X. J.; Mr. and Mrs. S. R. King. Painesvilh». O. ; J. S. Grossbaum, England; AV. P. AVarner, wile and maid. Troy. X. A'.; E. P. Mon- ta g ue. New A'ork: Mr. and Mrs. A*. C. >'. Beldin, Boston: J. C. Jenkins. New York; A. D. Price. Boston; H. M. Eowenthall. Rochester, N. A'.. At the Alhamba: F. M. Agostini, Xew ; A'ork; E. H. Coates, Xew A'ork. Murphy's. Ford's and Lexington had t't turn away many who applied for rcoms. Some of the vlsiters at 4 o'clock t*«ds morning were sleeping in chairs in the lobby at Murphy's. SOME AVHO AVERE THERE. Among those who were registered at the Jefferson last night were Mr. and ; Mrs. A. L. Stull. Alderson. Pa.; Mrs. M. J. Snowden. Franklin, Pa.; P. R. Fohey and Mrs. Fohey, Cleveland: Mrs. John F. Preston and Mrs. Preston. Baltimore, and ! C. F. Preston, U. S. X'.; Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Baiter. Boston; Mr and Mrs. AVllllam V. Aull. Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. l.-uid. Master Jack Ladd. Fräulein Staff/ Mr. J. L. Snow and Miss M. F. Snow compose a party from Providence, R. I. H. A. Wilder. Miss E. F. AVUder. Mrs. AV. H. Davis and Master Fred Davis, of rNVwrtan. Masts.; 'R. B. Sled«o and J. W "?, or B-ütünor«. _v. .._,,, * j H i ? ? FROM DEFECTIVE INSULATION This Thought to Have Been Cause of the Fire. GOOD HEADWAY WHEN SEEN Firemen Fought Heroically But Against Greaï Odds. HOMES WERE OPENED WIDE Citizens Most Hospitable to the Burned' Out Visitors. THE JEFFERSON HOTEL. MADE MIRACULOUS ESCAPES. A Marvel that All the Guests Got Out of the House Alive FEW WERE SLIGHTLY HURT One Man's Leg. Broken, But None of the Others Seriously Injured THE STATUE CARRIED OUT. But the Head Was Broken Off in Sav¬ ing the Sculpture. THE MOST DISASTROUS FIRE RICHMOND HAS EXPERIENCED SINGE THE EVACUATION. Snioke-grinied walls au«J smouldering ruins« are all that remain this morning* of the magnificent Jefferson Hotel. Tlie splendid hostelry, at once the glory of latiterday Richmond 2nd the pride of lier people, "was destroyed by fire last night- The great building was crowded wi'bh guests, but there was no loss of life. Several persons were injured: several hairbreadth escapes were re¬ ported. The larger portion of the furniture was destroyed. The magnificent fur¬ nishings of the grand salon were got¬ ten out; practically all the baggage of guests was saved. The guests 1 hem- selves found shelter in other hotels; the doors of homes of citizens were opened wide to receive them, and large numbers are stopping now in private homes. CAUSE OF THE FIEE. Defective insulation of an electric light wire is thought ¡to have caused the fire. It originated in . closet, ap¬ parently, on the fourth floor, at the sont hen stern corner of the building. It was 11:15¡o'clock when the first alarm was turned in. The fire had apparent- ly been extinguished, when the interior of tlie Roof Garden, at ihe fifth story, was found to be in a blaze. Then the entire department was quickly on the scene- Walter could not eopa with lie flames. A smart wind from out the north west- fanned it he fire to indescribable fury. Powerful streams from eight engines were played upon the fire for hours. The flames kept leaping higher and higher; their fury increased until there was little left to feed upon. CAUSED GREAT EXCITEMENT. "The Jefferson is burning," was the news that spread rapidly. It was not long before an immense crowd of all ages and sexes gathered from every Quarter of the city. Tlie citizens were 'tireless in their efforts to help save till possible from the flames. They car¬ ried out baggage until the front yards of residents for blocks away were crowded with luggage of every char¬ acter. The furniture of houses adja¬ cent to the hotel was also taken out. Every resident for blocks around was soon awake and on the scene. Expres¬ sions of regret, as deep as though a personal loss were sustained, were heard from all lips. Richmond, in her long history, has not had burned a building whos'e destruction caused stich genuine sorrow. certainly not since the burning of the old Spotswoud Hotel, Christmas morning. 3ST0. SCENES AT THE FLKE. Tlie scenes at the lire were stirring beyond description. Magnificence a:»*"' beauty were conjoined in a degree that awed tliose who beheld the awful spec¬ tacle. The flames leaped a hundred feet above the roof.Itigli above tne lofty towers, and swirling heavenward stood out. against the darkness, writ¬ ing destruction upon 'the bosom of the night. The streets for many square' »,vere as light as at noonday. The roar¬ ing aud crackling; the crash of falling 'timbers and Avails; the always thrillinï sound of working engines, helped to make the scene one which will be re- membered. AN ENPLOSION. Soon after i lie lire started a terrific explosion, caused by the ignition of the gas reservoir, startled and horrified the spectators. The results were not fatal. The fearsome roaring and crackling; the crash of falling iron, and timbers and walls; the rhythmical beat, of the working engines; the cries of the ti remen; the ceaseless murmur¬ ing of the great throng that hemmed in on every side tlie scene' of the mighty catastrophe, added features to a spectacle which will never be forgot¬ ten bv those who witnessed it. MADE RAPID PROGRESS. Once well started the flames lent run- ning with a speed almost incredible. The thousands who thronged the va¬ cant lot on Main Street, to the south¬ west of tin' burning structure, had a view-point superior «to all others. When they first began to gather there, a wav¬ ering glare in the Roof Garden and puffs «if smoke from the roof were all that told them the splendid structure was in danger o'f destruction. Then there was a brighter glare: volumes of flame and inky smoke burst, through the roof: the mighty roaring nearly drowned the 'throbbing of the engines; Then, in a. mòmment, there was a glare at several of the Main-Street windows, at. tiie southeast corner of the fourth floor. The throng then be¬ came interested in watching the flames appear at one window after another. earing its way. foot by foot, until there was a blinding "ilare, and all knew the fire had reached the large assembly- room. It was not long then until the spectators saw the flames enwrap the entire building south of the great tow¬ ers, and down to the second floor. Then they waited, and when the gray light of dawn stole up from the east, they saw but sullen smoke and blackened ruins. The firemen realized from the first their utter inadequacy to cope with a lire of such magnitude. They fought with unwavering energy, under the shadow of lofty walls that threatened to totter and fall, from the «lizzy height of the rofe'f of the nn burning portion of the hotel, from tiie tops of adjoining residences, from every point from which it seemed possible to throw a stream upon the seething, leapinrr. llames. But the strength of man was as naught against the fury of the devouring element, and in an hour from tlie time the tire started, the men fighting it knew, and the thousands' watching if knew,'the great building was doomed. The property loss was enormous^ The spectators saw practically destroyed in a few hours a mighty structure, the building of which had taken nearly a million and a. half dollars and years of labor. The insurance upon tlie prop¬ erty was about $,"70.000. The cele¬ brated A'alentine statue of Thomas Jefferson, in the Palm Court, was saved, but the head was broken off. Manager Fry lost everything. His wife and servant carried out their two little children wrapped in blankets. The Pace flats, adjacent to the Jeffer- ? sou on the Main-Street, siile. Avere gutted. The furniture was removed: the building was fully insured. The j residence cf Colonel Archer A· ¡son. next to the hotel on the 1 ..tnkliii- Street side, was damaged to a slight j extent. It may be the origin ot the fire will never be conclusively known. It was j said 'this morning Hiat an electrician was at work on the wiring ofjhe build- ing yesterday. Several short-« ircuited wires may have caused fires in many places in the building at one time- RECALLS OTHER BIG FIRES. The tire which destroyed the Jeffer¬ son will be remembered as one of the three great fires of Richmond. The first was the burning of the Richmond Theatre, in ISTI; the second was the burning of the old Sp vtswood Hotel, on Christmas morning, 1S70~ Each was attended by great, loss of lite. There were no lives lost iu the Jeffer¬ son Hotel tire: the property loss was far greater than any the city has ever known, save that accompanying the evacuation bv the Confederates, in ISO·". It seemed that the sjiectators real¬ ized they were witnessing an event which would be forever remembered. About every fire there is a strange fas¬ cination: little wonder that many of those who witnessed the progress of the mighty conflagration of this morn¬ ing could not bring themselves away until the dawn convinced them that, the scenes of the night were not the poctures of a dream. -._»_ Franklin Street Front Saved. The fire was under control at 1 o'clock this morning. The Franklin- Street side of the hotel was much damaged, but was not destroyed. Probably three-fourths of the once beautiful building is in ruins. Tlu* hotel and furnishings cost about $1,750,00,0. The insurance, placed through Mr. Williamson Talley. was about $G?40.000. on a schedule covering the entire building, machinery and fix¬ tures· In addition to this there is spe¬ cific insurance of $10,000 on the ma¬ chinery of the various plants in the basement. The total insurance will | amount to nearly $G0Q,00O. WAS HARD FIRE TO FIGHT. Firemen Worked Hard. But Under Difficulties. Siory of the Fire. The Jefferson Hotel tire was a most difficult one to tight and the firemen were handicapped from the start. Thoy foug'nt, however, with wonderful effec¬ tiveness, and from the surrounding housetops streams from all sides were poured in on the seething furnace below. The rear of th« hotel, fronting on the Main-Street side, however, it was seen from almost the very beginning was doomed, but every effort and every trick known to fire-rigliters of long experience was brought into use. All failed and only the Franklin-Street front and the power house were saved. How all the guests escaped is a mystery. The tirst intimation that the hotel was on fire, from all that can be learned, came from one of the waiters named Quarles. There was at first an attempt made by those in the hotel to extinguish the blaze, but finding their efforts futile a special alarm was sent in. Engine Company Xo. 7 responded, but soon a general alarm was struck and the entire department was called out. The men were none too soon. Before they arrived flames had broken through the windows of the top floor and roof garden, as well from the roof or* the roof garden. Streams were at once turned on from Alain. Jefferson, and Adams Street sides of the building, but for a long while these many streams see-med to have no effect whatever. If anything the fire demon seemed to grow only more determined and bent on com- pletinj*; his pitiless work. DESPERATE PLAN OF RESCUE. Then it was that a desperate piati of rescue and to tight the llames from the inside of the burning building was de¬ termined upon. Brave men followed dar¬ ing leaders and made their way to the upper stories of the hotel. Captains Wise and Hundley were among the first to gain access to the burning structure, and Captains Wise and Hundley were the most seriously injured of this brave (Continued on Second Page.) FRANKLIN STREET VIEW OF THE JEFFERSON ON A GALA.NIGHT* ONE OF FINEST IN THE COUNTRY | Jefferson Hotel Pride to All Kichmonders. ! OPENED SIX! EARS AGO t Was Erected by tha Ute Major Lewis Ginter* DESCRIPTION OFTHE'STRUCTUBE Luxurious Smokers" Room, Ma-jeificcrrt Oir» fice. Splendid Dinning Ro«*ms, Etc· ¿ant Parlors and Splendid Kur«·· ¡shed Bed Chambers.The Galleries an Attraction. Costly «Roof Garden. The Jefferson Hotel was opened t» guests otr the 1st of November. 1895. It was built upon the site of the property owned by the estate of «ten. Joseph. K. Anderson. It extended the entire length of Jefferson Street from Main to Frank¬ lin. The people of Richmond had Ions been clamoring for a hotel ot' the first-class and it remained for Major Lewis GInte» to give it to them. The architects ».vere Messrs. Carrer· and Hastings, of Xew Vork, and the con¬ struction ot" the building was under tho personal supervision of Mr. P. B. Pol- hemu», of New York. A MAGNIKICENT BUILDING. The building was one of the hand¬ somest and best equipped for its purpose in the United States. Entering from Main Street, the visitor found himself in the smokers' room, which was a veritable El Dorado to all lovers of the fragrant week. This com¬ partment was about fifty feet square and v.as handsomely furnished. The settees. 1< unges, and chairs were luxurious. The office room had ample space and gorgeously furnished. There hundred» of persons gathered at night to listeii to the music of the band, which was sta¬ tioned in one of the galleries. Lovely womett, in brilliant costumas, looked down from the galleries upon the crowd below. The billiard and pool-room was one of the most magnificently furnished In the country. The Turkish anil Russian bathe were fitted up without the slightest regard *o- expense, and they «fere more perfectly equipped than any other baths in tha country. The Franklin-Street court combined beautiful architectural effects with syl¬ van delights. An arcade, some 15 feet *n width, surrounded the court. Both we·.·* of Pompeian design, presenting a brìi- liant effect, with the rich and varied colors most admirably blended. Th«» arcade was supported by twenty-four columns, and was paved with Nub Argent à marble. Four small fountains were alt-f uated at the sides of the court, which/ was tastefully laid out wtth turf ani gravel-paths, palms, ferns and sapling,*. In the centre of the court, and facing toe Franklin-Street entrance. stood the statue of Thomas Jefferson. It was a tri¬ umph ot* art, and stood as a perfectly * true conception an«l embodiment of tuff author of the nation's Declaration of Independence. THE JEFFERSON STATUE. Following is a description of the statue written a few years ago: From a careful study of the best por¬ traits obtainable, and with the rare privi¬ lege ot being able to invest the model with a suit of clothing that belonged to- and was worn by Mr. Jefferson. Sculp¬ tor Valentine has succeeded in producing a statue that is instinct with physical and Intellectual vigor. Mr. Jefferson, who was ö feet 2 1-2 Inches tall, ia repre¬ sented in a statue of little more than life-size. The figure is elegant and Im¬ pressive, and the posture easy and grace¬ ful. The left foot Is slightly advanc«sd, and most of the weight of the .'igure rests on the right foot. The left hand rests on a Doric column, and the lines of this» column are broken by ? graceful con¬ tact of the folds of the great coat, which, falls naturally against it. The right hand holds the paper that was so mighty in the destiny of this great republic, and hears the faithful reproduction of the en¬ dorsement on Its back as follows: "The «Driginal Draft of the Declaration of Independence, Passed by the Continental Congress of the United States of America, 4th Of July. 1776." The drapery, which was modelled from. Jefferson's costume, gives a delightfully picturesque effect to the figure, and con¬ sists of a long great coat, with orna¬ mental «.»ape. covering a dress-coat. Ions waletcoat. knee-breeches, top-boots, and ? stock necktie, with lace l'-ufîtes. There Is an entire absence of stiffness and con¬ ventionality about the iigure,· and the ease and simplicity of its pose accentuato the beauty of it. The position of the head is slightly bent, giving a Thoughtful air to the figure, and the race is pleasant, while bearing the lines of intellect, force, and power which so distinguish it. The figure In Its entirety gives a grand and nooie conception of the great statesman. The statue is chiselled from the purest Carrara marble, and is absolutely flaw¬ less. LADIES' CAFE. A visitor to the hotel, soon after it was opened, wrote this of the ladies* cafe and other features of the building: "Lounsing-chairs are placed round th<» arcade, which, it may readily be Imagined, presents a soothing and dellghtsiul place to spend an idle hour In. To the riebt of the court is the ladies' cafe, which is oí the same design a» the court, and de-corated in the same colors. The room measure« 42X» feet. -*11»* J-» beautifully furnished with mahogany chain, uphol¬ stered In leather, and «dainty mahogany tables, while a large picture. entitl«wt .The Sheik." which was pointed by G. Clairin last year, and wa3 hung In th· Parte salon exhibition last year, adorn* the walls. The picture, which repr-asent* , the Sheik upon an eminence Tevtewln* Mb hordes of cavalrymen, is full of life, char¬ acter, and color, and is «extremely beau¬ tiful. "In addition to the ladi»' cafe, th· «M-* : cade contains two parlors for th· re«?*»·» tion and ente.natnment of visito« bythe gueetj of the hotel» These parlo«. (Continued e«*, »eurta. «Pas*a.>
Transcript of THE MOST DISASTROUS FIRE RICHMOND HAS EXPERIENCED...
S4N0E OF THE THERMOMETER.The thermometer ranged as.follows at
The Times office yesterday: 9 ?. ?., &?;12 M.. ?·2: 3 P. ÄL. 60; 6 P. M.. *tS; 9 P. M..<*; 12 M. 12. Average. IS 1-3.
WEATHER rWTCC4ST.ror.cast f^r Saturday s*>nd Sunday :
Virginia and North Carotlr**-1U»fSuturtftiy. fr>'¡. to briste easterly wind*Sunday, rain. »- ?
VOL. 10. NO. 42. RICHMOND. VAv SATURDAY. MARCH 30.. 1901 PKICE TWO CENTS
TRUE VIRGINIAHOSPITALITY
Never Was it More NoblyExhibited.
HOMES THROWN OPEN
Guests of Hotel Become \ Guests ofRichmond's Citizens.
ALL WERE WELL CARED FOR.
'Viihir-a Few Hours After the Fiâmes Had
Gained the Mastery, All of More
Than Three Hundred Strangers >*.cre
Comfortably Housed in Homes,
Hotels mid Clubs oi
the City.
Virginia, and especially lliehmoud.Mspitality was never more nobly
shown than Jast night. Those whohad been guest«» of the burnir· Jeffer¬
son Iloiel became guests of Richmond'sbest citizens. Offers poured iu from
¡rue immediate ndghborhooa of the
doomed hotel, and from distant partsof the. city, to lake iu those who b;id
i been burned out. In many instances
! these offer«· were accepted, and those: who had been startled from their beds
i were taken into refined homes, whereevery consideration was shown them-There were over ithree hundred
gueScs :it ihe Jefferson, and within a
¦ tew hours after the llames gained the
mastery, these Avere ail coinfurtabiy! housed, cither In privale residences, at
j the clubs, or oilier hotels of the city.Many others were ready aud anxiousPo rr.ro for those who had beeu thusinh'»*?pli:ibjy turned out into the nightby the direst disaster that lias befallenRichmond since the evacuation.Messrs. Yirghijus Newton and Thomas
¡ Atkinson kept open lionse, and conteeand other refreshments were liberallydispensed to the brave firemen whoworked so faihtfully so save Richmond'shandsome hotel and through whose noble
, .«.urk the aljoining jiroperty was mostlyj saved. Their houses, as well as those
oi" nil others in the neighborhood, were
j thrown open and everything possibledone for the comfort of everyone.
AVHERE THEY ARE SOW.A p*rti:iì list of the guests and where
they arci quartered follows;
j Mr. and Airs. E. D. Nason, and E. H.
Lntrop. oi Springfield, Ma*s., are at the
| home of Mr. Thos. Atkinson.j ? gentleman and his wife at Mrs.Edward Buck's,
? Centiemai: find wife at Mr. Fred rieas-; ar.«««".
Three ladies at Mr. Edward Mayer's,i- fMrs. Deshler, Miss Deshler and Miss'.James at Mr. James B. Pace's.
Mrs. Fred Meyers and daughter, of? Xew York, and Mr. ?. M. Straus, of
! Richmond, at home of Mrs. Edel. Mr.
j Straus and his wife lived at the Jefferson.in rooms furnished by themselves. Heestimates his loss at *>:,000 with $2,000 in-suranee.Mrs. Brown and daughter, of Boston,
at Mr. "Levin Joynes".Three of the maids at the Jefferson at
Mrs. Prt-ston Cocke's, three with Mrs.
! Fitzhugh Mayo, nine with Dr. George! Ross, three with Colonel E. S. Hobson,three with Mr. Edward Mayo.Captain Parker, of New York, formerly
i of United States navy, at the Common¬wealth Club..Tames II. Logan, son of General T. M.
; Logan, at Commonwealth Club.At the Lexington: Mr. Blumgard. New
York: AV. T. Smith, Philadelphia.: C. II.Mereomb. Philadelphia; George W. Tap-
! ley and wife, A. X. Mayo and wife, andA. D. Near and wife, Springfield, "Mass.;H. C Demson and wife. Xew Bedford,
i Mass.: W. M. Marks Sutton, Xew York;j ?\\ ?. Morriss. Virginia: Y. Vincent
j Jones, Xew York; AY. A. alacMahon, Xewi York: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Law-: rencc. Boston: Dr. AValter L. Hull, Bos-ton: Ira AV. Foushell. Baltimore; R. L.
; «»¡edge. Baltimore; J. B. Scott. Baltimore.At Xew Ford's: Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Wil¬
son, Pittsburg; Gerhard Mennan, Newark.N. .).: W. W. Causey, 'New York; Mrs.!.. K". AVharton. Ipsilanti. Mich.; Miss Hat-vie Swift, Ipsilanti, Mich.: H. D. Merickj-.nd wife, AVashington; E. F. AVilson, NewYork; G. F. Coshland, Xew York; C. C.Otila, New York; Chas. E. Hallowell, XewYork: R. J. Reynolds. Winston, N. C; F.E. Bedwel!, Chicago: E. II.' Lathrop,Spriiiglicld. Mass.; Miss F. E. Harwood,Miss V. C. Harwood and Miss E. A. Bed-v.ell. Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Moran.Chicago: George S. AVilson, AVashington:John AV. Douglas, AVa-ähington; ?. E.Dude. New A'ork; «T. M. Hall and wife.Providence. R. 1.; John M. Richmond.'Providern·.-. It. Ï.; E. A. Khouri. XewYork; ?\". R. Sweeney, Wash¬ington; Henry Erben. Philadelphia;J. J. McCarthy, Chicago: Mr. and Mrs.G. B. Baker, Boston; A. H. Kayton, Xew
tYork; E. Schultz, Arlington, X. A*.; Mrs.1-. S. Ellsworth. Simsbury, Conn.; H. E.Ellsworth, Simsbury. Conn.; S. AV.Dodge, Simsbury. Conn.: B. C. Toft,Xew York: !.. ]'. Stearncs and wife,Newport News; Mr. and Mrs. AndrewSquire, Cleveland: J. R. Shemmed, Bal-timore; Louis Barron. Xew A'ork: J. A.
l'avis. Baltimore; J. B. Monroe, Boston;E. Macnier. Philadelphia: E. E. Mueler,Washington: Dave L. Rice, Xew A'ork;Frank Harris, AVestehester, Pa.; S. B.AYatcrs. Xew A'ork; J. C. Short. XewYork; Mr. and Mrs. E. AValsh, Jr., St.Louis: Frank AV. Levy. Xew A'ork; Mr.and Mrs. Hale. Elizabeth, X. J.; Mr. andMrs. S. R. King. Painesvilh». O. ; J. S.
Grossbaum, England; AV. P. AVarner,wile and maid. Troy. X. A'.; E. P. Mon-tag ue. New A'ork: Mr. and Mrs. A*. C.
>'. Beldin, Boston: J. C. Jenkins. New
York; A. D. Price. Boston; H. M.Eowenthall. Rochester, N. A'..
At the Alhamba: F. M. Agostini, Xew
; A'ork; E. H. Coates, Xew A'ork.Murphy's. Ford's and Lexington had
t't turn away many who applied for
rcoms. Some of the vlsiters at 4 o'clockt*«ds morning were sleeping in chairs in
the lobby at Murphy's.SOME AVHO AVERE THERE.
Among those who were registered at
the Jefferson last night were Mr. and
; Mrs. A. L. Stull. Alderson. Pa.; Mrs. M.J. Snowden. Franklin, Pa.; P. R. Foheyand Mrs. Fohey, Cleveland: Mrs. John F.Preston and Mrs. Preston. Baltimore, and
! C. F. Preston, U. S. X'.; Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Baiter. Boston; Mr and Mrs. AVllllamV. Aull. Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. J. G.l.-uid. Master Jack Ladd. Fräulein Staff/Mr. J. L. Snow and Miss M. F. Snowcompose a party from Providence, R. I.H. A. Wilder. Miss E. F. AVUder. Mrs.AV. H. Davis and Master Fred Davis, ofrNVwrtan. Masts.; 'R. B. Sled«o and J. W"?, or B-ütünor«. _v. .._,,,
*
j
H
i?
?
FROM DEFECTIVE INSULATION
This Thought to Have Been Cause ofthe Fire.
GOOD HEADWAY WHEN SEEN
Firemen Fought Heroically But AgainstGreaï Odds.
HOMES WERE OPENED WIDE
Citizens Most Hospitable to the Burned'Out Visitors. THE JEFFERSON HOTEL.
MADE MIRACULOUS ESCAPES.
A Marvel that All the Guests Got Outof the House Alive
FEW WERE SLIGHTLY HURT
One Man's Leg. Broken, But None ofthe Others Seriously Injured
THE STATUE CARRIED OUT.
But the Head Was Broken Off in Sav¬ing the Sculpture.
THE MOST DISASTROUS FIRE RICHMOND HAS EXPERIENCED SINGE THE EVACUATION.Snioke-grinied walls au«J smouldering
ruins« are all that remain this morning*of the magnificent Jefferson Hotel.Tlie splendid hostelry, at once the
glory of latiterday Richmond 2nd thepride of lier people, "was destroyed byfire last night-The great building was crowded
wi'bh guests, but there was no loss oflife. Several persons were injured:several hairbreadth escapes were re¬
ported.The larger portion of the furniture
was destroyed. The magnificent fur¬nishings of the grand salon were got¬ten out; practically all the baggage ofguests was saved. The guests 1 hem-selves found shelter in other hotels;the doors of homes of citizens were
opened wide to receive them, and largenumbers are stopping now in privatehomes.
CAUSE OF THE FIEE.Defective insulation of an electric
light wire is thought ¡to have causedthe fire. It originated in . closet, ap¬parently, on the fourth floor, at thesont hen stern corner of the building. Itwas 11:15¡o'clock when the first alarmwas turned in. The fire had apparent-ly been extinguished, when the interiorof tlie Roof Garden, at ihe fifth story,was found to be in a blaze. Then theentire department was quickly on thescene-Walter could not eopa with lie flames.A smart wind from out the northwest-fanned ithe fire to indescribable fury.Powerful streams from eight engineswere played upon the fire for hours.The flames kept leaping higher and
higher; their fury increased until therewas little left to feed upon.CAUSED GREAT EXCITEMENT."The Jefferson is burning," was the
news that spread rapidly. It was notlong before an immense crowd of allages and sexes gathered from every
Quarter of the city. Tlie citizens were'tireless in their efforts to help save tillpossible from the flames. They car¬
ried out baggage until the front yardsof residents for blocks away were
crowded with luggage of every char¬acter. The furniture of houses adja¬cent to the hotel was also taken out.Every resident for blocks around was
soon awake and on the scene. Expres¬sions of regret, as deep as though a
personal loss were sustained, were
heard from all lips. Richmond, in herlong history, has not had burned a
building whos'e destruction causedstich genuine sorrow.certainly notsince the burning of the old SpotswoudHotel, Christmas morning. 3ST0.
SCENES AT THE FLKE.Tlie scenes at the lire were stirring
beyond description. Magnificence a:»*"'beauty were conjoined in a degree thatawed tliose who beheld the awful spec¬tacle. The flames leaped a hundredfeet above the roof.Itigli above tne
lofty towers, and swirling heavenwardstood out. against the darkness, writ¬
ing destruction upon 'the bosom of the
night. The streets for many square'»,vere as light as at noonday. The roar¬
ing aud crackling; the crash of falling'timbers and Avails; the always thrillinïsound of working engines, helped to
make the scene one which will be re-
membered.AN ENPLOSION.
Soon after i lie lire started a terrificexplosion, caused by the ignition of thegas reservoir, startled and horrifiedthe spectators. The results were notfatal. The fearsome roaring andcrackling; the crash of falling iron,and timbers and walls; the rhythmicalbeat, of the working engines; the criesof the ti remen; the ceaseless murmur¬
ing of the great throng that hemmedin on every side tlie scene' of themighty catastrophe, added features toa spectacle which will never be forgot¬ten bv those who witnessed it.
MADE RAPID PROGRESS.Once well started the flames lent run-
ning with a speed almost incredible.The thousands who thronged the va¬
cant lot on Main Street, to the south¬west of tin' burning structure, had a
view-point superior «to all others. Whenthey first began to gather there, a wav¬
ering glare in the Roof Garden andpuffs «if smoke from the roof were allthat told them the splendid structurewas in danger o'f destruction. Thenthere was a brighter glare: volumes offlame and inky smoke burst, throughthe roof: the mighty roaring nearlydrowned the 'throbbing of the engines;Then, in a. mòmment, there was a
glare at several of the Main-Streetwindows, at. tiie southeast corner ofthe fourth floor. The throng then be¬came interested in watching the flamesappear at one window after another.earing its way. foot by foot, until therewas a blinding "ilare, and all knew thefire had reached the large assembly-room. It was not long then until thespectators saw the flames enwrap theentire building south of the great tow¬ers, and down to the second floor. Thenthey waited, and when the gray lightof dawn stole up from the east, theysaw but sullen smoke and blackenedruins.The firemen realized from the first
their utter inadequacy to cope with alire of such magnitude. They foughtwith unwavering energy, under theshadow of lofty walls that threatenedto totter and fall, from the «lizzy heightof the rofe'f of the nn burning portion ofthe hotel, from tiie tops of adjoiningresidences, from every point fromwhich it seemed possible to throw astream upon the seething, leapinrr.llames.But the strength of man was
as naught against the fury ofthe devouring element, and in an hourfrom tlie time the tire started, the menfighting it knew, and the thousands'watching if knew,'the great buildingwas doomed.The property loss was enormous^ The
spectators saw practically destroyedin a few hours a mighty structure, thebuilding of which had taken nearly amillion and a. half dollars and yearsof labor. The insurance upon tlie prop¬erty was about $,"70.000. The cele¬brated A'alentine statue of ThomasJefferson, in the Palm Court, wassaved, but the head was broken off.Manager Fry lost everything. His
wife and servant carried out their twolittle children wrapped in blankets.The Pace flats, adjacent to the Jeffer- ?
sou on the Main-Street, siile. Avere
gutted. The furniture was removed:the building was fully insured. The jresidence cf Colonel Archer A· ¡son.next to the hotel on the 1 ..tnkliii-Street side, was damaged to a slight jextent.
It may be the origin ot the fire willnever be conclusively known. It was jsaid 'this morning Hiat an electricianwas at work on the wiring ofjhe build-ing yesterday. Several short-« ircuitedwires may have caused fires in manyplaces in the building at one time-RECALLS OTHER BIG FIRES.The tire which destroyed the Jeffer¬
son will be remembered as one of thethree great fires of Richmond. Thefirst was the burning of the RichmondTheatre, in ISTI; the second was theburning of the old Sp vtswood Hotel,on Christmas morning, 1S70~ Eachwas attended by great, loss of lite.There were no lives lost iu the Jeffer¬son Hotel tire: the propertyloss wasfar greater than any the city has everknown, save that accompanying theevacuation bv the Confederates, inISO·".
It seemed that the sjiectators real¬ized they were witnessing an eventwhich would be forever remembered.About every fire there is a strange fas¬cination: little wonder that many ofthose who witnessed the progress ofthe mighty conflagration of this morn¬ing could not bring themselves awayuntil the dawn convinced them that,the scenes of the night were not thepoctures of a dream.
-._»_
Franklin Street Front Saved.The fire was under control at 1
o'clock this morning. The Franklin-Street side of the hotel was muchdamaged, but was not destroyed.Probably three-fourths of the oncebeautiful building is in ruins.Tlu* hotel and furnishings cost about
$1,750,00,0. The insurance, placedthrough Mr. Williamson Talley. wasabout $G?40.000. on a schedule coveringthe entire building, machinery and fix¬tures· In addition to this there is spe¬cific insurance of $10,000 on the ma¬
chinery of the various plants in the
basement. The total insurance will |amount to nearly $G0Q,00O.
WAS HARD FIRE TO FIGHT.Firemen Worked Hard. But Under Difficulties.
Siory of the Fire.The Jefferson Hotel tire was a most
difficult one to tight and the firemen were
handicapped from the start. Thoyfoug'nt, however, with wonderful effec¬tiveness, and from the surroundinghousetops streams from all sides werepoured in on the seething furnace below.The rear of th« hotel, fronting on theMain-Street side, however, it was seen
from almost the very beginning was
doomed, but every effort and every trickknown to fire-rigliters of long experiencewas brought into use. All failed andonly the Franklin-Street front and thepower house were saved. How all theguests escaped is a mystery.The tirst intimation that the hotel was
on fire, from all that can be learned,came from one of the waiters namedQuarles. There was at first an attemptmade by those in the hotel to extinguishthe blaze, but finding their efforts futilea special alarm was sent in. EngineCompany Xo. 7 responded, but soon a
general alarm was struck and the entiredepartment was called out.The men were none too soon. Before
they arrived flames had broken throughthe windows of the top floor and roofgarden, as well from the roof or* theroof garden. Streams were at onceturned on from Alain. Jefferson, andAdams Street sides of the building, butfor a long while these many streamssee-med to have no effect whatever. Ifanything the fire demon seemed to growonly more determined and bent on com-
pletinj*; his pitiless work.DESPERATE PLAN OF RESCUE.Then it was that a desperate piati of
rescue and to tight the llames from theinside of the burning building was de¬termined upon. Brave men followed dar¬ing leaders and made their way to theupper stories of the hotel. Captains Wiseand Hundley were among the first to
gain access to the burning structure, andCaptains Wise and Hundley were themost seriously injured of this brave
(Continued on Second Page.)
FRANKLIN STREET VIEW OF THE JEFFERSON ON A GALA.NIGHT*
ONE OF FINESTIN THE COUNTRY
| Jefferson Hotel Pride toAll Kichmonders.
! OPENED SIX! EARS AGOt Was Erected by tha Ute Major
Lewis Ginter*
DESCRIPTION OFTHE'STRUCTUBE
Luxurious Smokers" Room, Ma-jeificcrrt Oir»fice. Splendid Dinning Ro«*ms, Etc·
¿ant Parlors and Splendid Kur«··¡shed Bed Chambers.The
Galleries an Attraction.
Costly «Roof Garden.
The Jefferson Hotel was opened t»
guests otr the 1st of November. 1895. Itwas built upon the site of the propertyowned by the estate of «ten. Joseph. K.Anderson. It extended the entire lengthof Jefferson Street from Main to Frank¬lin.The people of Richmond had Ions been
clamoring for a hotel ot' the first-classand it remained for Major Lewis GInte»to give it to them.The architects ».vere Messrs. Carrer·
and Hastings, of Xew Vork, and the con¬
struction ot" the building was under thopersonal supervision of Mr. P. B. Pol-hemu», of New York.
A MAGNIKICENT BUILDING.The building was one of the hand¬
somest and best equipped for its purposein the United States.Entering from Main Street, the visitor
found himself in the smokers' room,which was a veritable El Dorado to alllovers of the fragrant week. This com¬
partment was about fifty feet square andv.as handsomely furnished. The settees.1< unges, and chairs were luxurious.The office room had ample space and
gorgeously furnished. There hundred»of persons gathered at night to listeiito the music of the band, which was sta¬tioned in one of the galleries. Lovelywomett, in brilliant costumas, lookeddown from the galleries upon the crowdbelow.The billiard and pool-room was one
of the most magnificently furnished Inthe country.The Turkish anil Russian bathe were
fitted up without the slightest regard *o-expense, and they «fere more perfectlyequipped than any other baths in thacountry.The Franklin-Street court combined
beautiful architectural effects with syl¬van delights. An arcade, some 15 feet *nwidth, surrounded the court. Both we·.·*of Pompeian design, presenting a brìi-liant effect, with the rich and variedcolors most admirably blended. Th«»arcade was supported by twenty-fourcolumns, and was paved with Nub Argent àmarble. Four small fountains were alt-fuated at the sides of the court, which/was tastefully laid out wtth turf anigravel-paths, palms, ferns and sapling,*.In the centre of the court, and facing toeFranklin-Street entrance. stood thestatue of Thomas Jefferson. It was a tri¬umph ot* art, and stood as a perfectly
*
true conception an«l embodiment of tuffauthor of the nation's Declaration ofIndependence.
THE JEFFERSON STATUE.Following is a description of the statue
written a few years ago:From a careful study of the best por¬
traits obtainable, and with the rare privi¬lege ot being able to invest the modelwith a suit of clothing that belonged to-and was worn by Mr. Jefferson. Sculp¬tor Valentine has succeeded in producinga statue that is instinct with physicaland Intellectual vigor. Mr. Jefferson,who was ö feet 2 1-2 Inches tall, ia repre¬sented in a statue of little more thanlife-size. The figure is elegant and Im¬pressive, and the posture easy and grace¬ful. The left foot Is slightly advanc«sd, andmost of the weight of the .'igure rests onthe right foot. The left hand rests ona Doric column, and the lines of this»column are broken by ? graceful con¬tact of the folds of the great coat, which,falls naturally against it. The right handholds the paper that was so mighty inthe destiny of this great republic, andhears the faithful reproduction of the en¬dorsement on Its back as follows:
"The «Driginal Draft of theDeclaration of Independence,
Passed by theContinental Congress
of theUnited States of America,
4th Of July. 1776."The drapery, which was modelled from.
Jefferson's costume, gives a delightfullypicturesque effect to the figure, and con¬sists of a long great coat, with orna¬mental «.»ape. covering a dress-coat. Ionswaletcoat. knee-breeches, top-boots, and? stock necktie, with lace l'-ufîtes. ThereIs an entire absence of stiffness and con¬
ventionality about the iigure,· and theease and simplicity of its pose accentuatothe beauty of it.The position of the head is slightly
bent, giving a Thoughtful air to thefigure, and the race is pleasant, whilebearing the lines of intellect, force, andpower which so distinguish it. The figureIn Its entirety gives a grand and nooieconception of the great statesman.The statue is chiselled from the purest
Carrara marble, and is absolutely flaw¬less.
LADIES' CAFE.A visitor to the hotel, soon after it was
opened, wrote this of the ladies* cafe andother features of the building:"Lounsing-chairs are placed round th<»
arcade, which, it may readily be Imagined,presents a soothing and dellghtsiul placeto spend an idle hour In. To the riebtof the court is the ladies' cafe, whichis oí the same design a» the court, andde-corated in the same colors. The room
measure« 42X» feet. -*11»* J-» beautifullyfurnished with mahogany chain, uphol¬stered In leather, and «dainty mahoganytables, while a large picture. entitl«wt.The Sheik." which was pointed by G.Clairin last year, and wa3 hung In th·Parte salon exhibition last year, adorn*the walls. The picture, which repr-asent* ,
the Sheik upon an eminence Tevtewln* Mbhordes of cavalrymen, is full of life, char¬acter, and color, and is «extremely beau¬tiful."In addition to the ladi»' cafe, th· «M-* :
cade contains two parlors for th· re«?*»·»tion and ente.natnment of visito« bythegueetj of the hotel» These parlo«.
(Continued e«*, »eurta. «Pas*a.>
