Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-03
DOMESTIC.
From the Ne,U York Commercial .advertiser
.Nov III.
CONTRADICTION.

.1ioy IT.
CONFEDERATION.
DISTINCTION OF THE Bow ERy THEArRE-j
destructive fire broke out in the Bowery last
evening, supposed to have been the work of incen-
fires have occurred in the upper
part OF The town within the last few days, which
there Is good reason to suppose were kindled by
geng Of Williams. We understand that coiored
man has been apprehended, who has confessed
that he was hired to set fire to the building in
which the contiagration broke first last night
but have learned no further particulars. The laws
OF this state iniiict the penalty OF DEATH tor the
crime oil arson, in Case An Inhabited dwelling house
Is set ON hre; and the executive has RENTED
the penalty in the cases Of conviction which have
occurred since the passage Of the act 1t is to be
regretted that its terms admit Of latitude Of con-
structon. by which many offenders escape. HUI
man life IS as much put in jeopardy, by an unten-
anted wooden rookery being set on fire. contiguous
TO an inhabited dwelling house to which the flames
must inevitably be communicated, as it the torch
was applied to the latter in the first instance.
The hre last night broke out in Chambers and
Cnderhiiis livery stable in Bayard street, at about
quarter past 6o'clock. The wind blew freshly
from the South West, and in u few minutes six or
seven wooden buildings in tie vicinity were en-
veloped in flames. The firemcn could not prevent
Their progress, the buildings being full of combus-
uble materials. The fire was soon communicated
to the Bowery Theatre. both in front, and on the
rear iii Elizabeth street.-The roof was presently
In blaze, and in less than half hour fell in. The
buildings beyond were also consumed with much
rapidity, being full Of ardent spirits and other COM
bustibIe articles.
AT one period Of the conAagraton, the gas in
The pipes which supplied the theatre became igni-
ted, and the effect which its instantaneous com
bustion produced on distant spectators like that
OF lightning. Others supposed that it was tho ex-
plosion OF gunpowder An individual was on the
rooi Of the theatre when the fumes began to en-
velopc it, and rescued himself with great hazard
from the dreadful predicament. by letting himself
drop from the caves about twenty feet, to the rooi
OF an adjacent building. Part OF the rear wall fell
during the night, and the remainder was lettering
when our informant left the spot this morning.
The front wall also, is dilapidated, but the sides
are SAID to have firm appearance. Gordon oil
constables has been placed round the ruins, among
winch several specimens OF glittering finery are
to be seen, oddly contrasting with the smoudcring
ashes.
The Gazette mentions that when the fire frs,
broke out, there was great difficulty experience
ed In obtaining supply OF water, and it was not
until line OF engines was formed, extending from
the scene Of conhagration to the east River, al
Catharne slip, and another line from the corpo-
ration supply engine at the corner of Leonard and
Ein streets, that the fury of the flames could be
arrested
The engine from Yorkville was brought down
by three horses; and the remen of Brooklyn assist
ed with promptness and activity. 1t was not until
eleven o'clock that the fire was subdued. All the
properties OF the Bowery Theatre were DESTROYED
and some persons escaped from it with difficulty.
NO lives however were lost. Mrs. Gilfert the wife
very full house was expected, it was fortunate
circumstance that the ire broke out before the
hour OF admission. The roof of the building was
sheeted with lead, which soon melted from the in
tensity OF the heat. 500, 900 insurance had been
rfiected on it, in this city, which does not cover
II he whole loss. The other houses consumed were
we believe not insured. The following is the best
st we are at present able to make the extent OF
| the damage occasioned by this calamity.
In Bayard Nreet-John Giyan Farmers. Inn
| corner OF Bayard and the Bowery, entirely des-
troyed-Amos Hall, shoemaker, No. "a Bayard.
do David Chamber & Co. 46 and 43, Livery Sta
bes, do together with horses, several carriages
gigs, &c--where the fire commenced. Mr.. Under
hill No. 80, Livery stables dc. Numbers Is, a. &
40, considerably injured.
Elizabeth streef.-Mr. Chitty grocer, corner OF
Bayard & Elizabeth. Job Thomas, boarding house.
Capt. Silvie.-Mr. Mallon, grocer, lower story;
Jones, above not much injured. new brick house
belonging to the Theatre entirely destroyed. Mum
bers "a Il 26 occupied by several families slightly
injured.
-]8o,cery.-Wm. Palmer SO. grocer. T. Swift,
81 IL. ID. Burton, 81. John McManus, halter "a
L. Barber's shop &c. Nathaniel Weeks. GROCER
S3 M Ritter. WIN. Mcdonald, porter house. s.
WestbrGOk, Albert Ennans porter house, &c. A
confectionery. ID. Scribner, Shakespeare tavern
Theatre. The above entirely destroyed j. d.
Pierson, Coffee House No. 50, considerably inur-
ed 62 81 l-2, "a, 81 LIZ, So and SO slightly inur-
ed.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
We learn that two men are Inissing-John Brad
shaw belonging TO Engine No. II, and BENJAMIN
Giiord, Jr In relation TO one of whom, there will
De found IN our columns an advertisement, from
his distressed relatives We mentioned that two
persons were taken out Of the second story of the
Theatre, almost sufocated.-They were on the
roof Of that building, until the fire had reached
such height, as forbad their being rescued in
any other manner. There was third person MIR.
Cline, the Rope Dancer on the roof who attempt-
ed to follow them, but the suiEocating smoke com.
PEELED him to return. With The utmost fearful
ness and agility, he gided along the lower edge of
the roof and gently slid down, along a chimney.
depth OF twenty feet upon the adjacent building
The number of horses consumed was eight or ten.
instead Of three, we stated.
The following We learn, on good authority is
an accurate account of the amount of insurance
and loss on the Theatre. Insurance ON the build
ing, $4,000, Scenery and Wardrobe, $4,000
The private wardrobes Of the actors, worth from
fifteen to twenty thousand dollars were not insured
The largest sufferer is Mr.. Barrett, whose ward.
robe was OF great value. The amount of proper
ty, not covered by insurance, is estimated at iron
thirty to forty thousand dollars.
We learn that the proprietors resolved yester-
day to commence Immediately the erection of
new Theatre on the same site. II Is to be finished
by tie lst or 10th of September, and TO be of
more costly and splendid description than the for
mer. Its intended to be thrown back twelve feet
from the Bowery, with elegant colonnade the
whole length OF the front, the rear being ON the
line Of Elizabeth street.
MIR; Giiiert, the manager, yesterday received
the following motel
NEw-YoRK, May 2I, 1929.
The Trustees Of the New York Association nre
sent their respects to Mr.. Gilfert II affords them
much pleasure TO transmit him the enclosed res
olu'lon passed at meeting Of the propretors this
day,
Meeting Of the Proprietors Of the York The.