Lynchburg Virginian

From the Richmond Compiler, June 22.

THE FIRE ON SATURDAY MORNING.

We stated, in a postscript, the progress of a fire which at one time threatened destruction to a large portion of our city. It was first discovered about 2 o'clock in the basement story of Trinity Church, usually occupied as a Sunday school room, and for prayer meetings. At that time the flame was feeble, and might easily have been put out, if a supply of water had been at immediate command;—but the bell at the Capitol was out of order, and some time elapsed before the alarm was general, and before the hose and engines could be brought to the scene of danger.—The Church was entirely destroyed, and the fire extended to several of the adjacent houses, and to M. Smith's carpenter's shop, containing a quantity of dressed work, plank, &c. The Church was insured for only $5000—the loss is $7,000. The whole amount of property destroyed is supposed to be not less than $30,000. most of it insured, with the exception mentioned.

The wind during the night had been very high. but it moderated, and blew gently from the southwest at the time of the greatest danger. Had it been as fresh as it was a few hours previous, there would have been no such thing as calculating the extent of the damage. It would have been truly a scene of desolation and ruin.

In addition to the Church the following buildings were destroyed or injured:

A house belonging to Richard Reins, occupied by Dr. A. Curtis.

William Smith's house, occupied by himself—also, his carpenter's shop, lumber house, lumber, and a large quantity of finished work for buildings about to be erected by him. Mr. Smith's whole loss may be estimated at nearly $5,000—an amount larger than he is able to bear, and it is hoped a liberal public will share it with this worthy and industrious man.

J. C. Crane's house, occupied by George Steel. very little injured.

Two tenements belonging to John H. Eustace: one occupied by William Pearman, very much injured; the other, by R. Denny, slightly injured.

Two new buildings belonging to Messrs. Allison & Smith, occupied by Mr. Allen and Mrs. Pankey, were scorched and defaced, but did not take fire.

The furniture belonging to the occupants was much injured in the bustle, and some of it entirely destroyed. Several articles of wearing apparel, &c. were taken from Mr. Pearman's drawers, after they were carried out.

But one of the most distressing incidents is yet to be stated. An old negro woman, long a servant in Mr. Pearman's family, was seen in the early part of the fire taking a bundle from the kitchen. It is supposed she returned to make further efforts, and was suffocated by the smoke. She was found about two o'clock on Saturday, crouched in a corner near the ruins of the kitchen chimney, burned to death—a crisped and blackened mass.

The distress of the family at such a calamity may well be imagined. This poor old woman was an object of deep attachment, having been the nurse of Mr. Pearman when an infant, and the nurse of his children.

Those who have witnessed the strong attachment naturally growing up between an old and faithful domestic, and the members of a family whom she has attended through the perils of infancy up to mature age, will know how to appreciate the poignant feelings of Mr. P's household at a calamity so awful.

We learn that an appeal will be made immediately in behalf of the Church, for the purpose of building a new one; and we hope, while the spirit of sympathy is awake, relief will be extended to such of the sufferers as are not able to bear the loss. An additional mite from each contributor will accomplish the object.

There are various opinions as to the origin of the fire—some believing that it was accidental. and others that it was the work of some fiend.— Be the cause what it may, the result warns us to be always on the alert, prepared for the worst.