Patrick County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News.....Hotel Perkins Destroyed by Fire Tuesday Night November 24, 1943
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ron Martin cindyandron@bellsouth.net September 12, 2021, 9:33 am

The Enterprise November 24, 1943
  Perkins Hotel, one of Stuart's landmarks, was completely destroyed Tuesday 
night by the worst fire seen here for many years.
  The fire, of unknown origin, was first discovered at about 11:30.  James 
Simmons was among the first to see the fire, go awoke Mr. Roberson, the clerk, 
and sounded the alarm.  When first discovered, the fire was in the extreme 
western corner and had eaten its way thru the ceiling on the second floor and 
was breaking from the eaves.  T.F. Ross and L.W. Hylton were also among the 
first to arrive and spread the alarm.  The building, a wooden structure 
throughout, burned fiercely and rapidly but fortunately some of the furniture 
and almost all of the clothing of the guests were removed.
  For some time the heat was so intense it was feared the entire block, as well 
as the buildings across the street, would be entirely wiped out, but a steady 
stream of water and vigilant fire fighters saved other buildings.  The fact that 
none of them were frame structures helped to save them.  The windows of the 
barber shop caught repeatedly; the awning of the Thompson building was often in 
flames and the entire plate glass front was shattered by the heat, and fell out; 
the paint was blistered on all woodwork and glass shattered at the theatre.  The 
home of T.F. Ross caught on fire but was quickly extinguished.  The dry grass 
and leaves were set by the sparks in many places and had to be repeated beaten 
out before spreading to adjacent buildings.
  The Martinsville fire department was summoned when the fire appeared to be 
getting beyond control, and made a record run for a truck of 35 minutes and 
assisted in the final quenching of the flames with their fire engine.
  The hotel of 28 bedrooms, had fifteen guests at the time of the fire, seven of 
whom were regular boarders.  In addition, there were four persons, who made 
their home there, all of whom escaped uninjured.  The people of Stuart gladly 
opened their homes to accommodate these.
  Mrs. J.S. Campbell, owner, was ill in bed, but was quickly moved to a private 
home.
  The property was valued at around $25,000 was only partly covered by 
insurance, we are informed.
  

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