From the Shenandoah Herald (Woodstock, Va.), 9/3/1879, p. 2, c. 2

RICHMOND, VA., August 26. – At an early hour this morning a fire broke out in R. H. Whitlock’s tobacco-box manufactory, at the corner of Eighteenth and Carey streets, and before the flames could be gotten under control that extensive establishment, together with the large brick tobacco factory of Messrs. Turpin & Bro., adjoining the box factory on the east, was totally destroyed. – A row of frame houses on the south side of Carey street sustained some damage, as also did the brick tobacco factory of Jackson, Turpin & Co., on Eighteenth street, west of the box factory. The building occupied by Turpin & Bro., which was destroyed, was well known as “Castle Thunder,” and was used during the war as a prison house for both Federal and Confederate prisoners. The total loss is estimated at over $100,000; insurance $51,000.

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