Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-05-26
From the Charleston Courier Of lMuy /.

GREAT FlRE!-ONE-THIRD CHARLES
TON IN RUINS!
About Q o'clock OH Friday evening last, the
citizens Of Charleston were alarmed by the
sound Of the fire belle, and the cry given that
II was in King street; d part of the city which
--.lron The great quantity OF wooden buildings
with which it is literally lined, from 'rradd 10
boundary street, on each side, with here and
there brick house, and occasionally cue in.
leEdcd 10 be semI-tire prool--was always con.
sIdercd 10 be the most dangerous place for a
conflagra'lon 10 commence, and where, too,
was stored large portion Of the most valua-
BILE dry goods in the city
When we arrived at the place where the fire
commenced, the flames had Just made their APP
pearance in the rear Of a small shed or build
ing, adjoining The house, northwest corner Of
Bercsford and King street, and but a few min.
u,es elapsed before the three or four other liou-
SEES, and the house on the southwest corner Of
Bcresiord street, were also in flames. The
fire then commenced roaring and leaping from
different points. as well in horizontal direc-
lion as in The air, with vigor and virn!cnce,
which was truly appalling, and it being known
10 all that there was an unusual scarcity Of
water, il was apparent 10 any observer that
Of houses, and the application Of fire hooks,
were the principal means to be depended on
for battling with the destructive and deyour.
ing element. Fife-hooks, VIC believe, were
used in but few if any instances, and we are
under the impression that there is not suffi-
cient number Of them, or that their usefulness,
particularly 10 pulling down snail buildings,
Is undervalued. The principal engineer was
oh h,II Iii Nj Ncku Ii
was promptly on the ground with the appara.
tus, and with courage, GOODNESS and efiicien.
cy not TO he surpassed, and seldom egualIed,
commenced operations. and continued unre-
mi,,ingly employed until his life became the
sacrifice.
The fire now rapidly extended up King
street on both sides, and down Market street
TO Meeting street. with The most uncomfortable
rapidly. The engines were literally power.
less, except in few ins,ances-..,i,at Of saving
the theatre. perhaps. as prominent as any 9th.
or. After passing down Market street, (boih
sides OF which, as Ear as Church street, mar
kets included, were destroyed, } il took north
southwest. but blowing only moderately. and
extended in that direction 10 the sugar refine.
nv on Arson street. thence down Arson 10 Has.
bu, few buildings between llaswell and So
ciety sis. except Mr.. Stopey's residence on,
HaswelI street, and Mr.. Heyward's house on
on the corner Of East Bay aud Society streets.
and The large steam nil 81 Mr.. Bennett Lib
erty street was tho boundary above King ST..
on the northern line. and ST. Philip 10 the west,
row offfont buildings being !eii on the west
siIe Of that and Archdale street. Including at
least oDe.fpnrih Of the centre Of our beautiful
and 1ourishing city. and destroying onr very
splendid new hotel. the pride Of the citizens,
and nearly ready for lie reception Of bcarders,
the new Masonic Hail a. the ives. end Of the
market, the brick work Of which was nearly
finished, and somewhat injuring tie new the
atrc.
The loss of property is various.y estimated.
but from what We can ascertain il will be IN
The vicinity Of THREE MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS, Of which about one half is pro-
badly insured.
Ne have made every cxcrtiop in cur power
to obtain correct list ofihe buildings destroy
ed, and names Of the sufeprs, having had Sc.
4 F.. (. B