The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-05-09
From the Charleston PatIiot-Extra-APril %.
DESTRUCTIVE AND AWFUL CON
FLAGRATION.

1t is with feelings so narrowed that our
pen almost drops from our hand in making
the record. that we have to nscribe on our
page this evening a conflagratIon that for
it's extent, its almost unntterahle horrors and
the accumulation of misfortunes 1t has heap
ed on our citizens, has had no parallel in
the history of similar Affections 20 which
our ill-fated city has al various periods been
devoted. Unfortunately "A long period of
draught, producing a scarcity of water, and
a more than usual portion of combusiible
material for the devouring element, gave 1t
an intensity, that II spread over at least one
fourth of our city with electrical rapidity.
House after house, square after square
we're demolished, with speed that seemed
to concentrate all the worst horrors of a
fiasralon that deiied contrivance and
pnralyzed energy in its exiingnishmsnt.
We have never before witnessed specta-
Gle so awful, so narrowing, so heart sick
ening in all its direful Accomplishments.
The misfortune is almost irreparable, and
is calculated to humble the pride of human
ambition. 1t was but recently that the citi
zens Of Charleston were buoyant with hope
ms to the improvement of its commercial
fortunes and the increase of its population
it is succeeded by despnir-by distress
that knows no miligatlon-by calamity that
cannot be described, but may be imagined.
But let us to our melancholy task.
The alarm Of fire was given between
and 9 o'clock last evening, the wind blow
ing fresh from the South West. Before
the citizens assembled in adequate num-
] 4 IL a. nd ha
tus was provided for blowing up houses,
sufficient time elapsed TO envelope in
flames the wooden two story house at the
north west corner of King and Beresford
streets, in the occupation of Mrs. Babson,
and small wooden tenement adjoining,
occupied by Fruiter, free colored wo-
mon. 1t quickly communicated TO the
dwelling occupied by Mr.. Simmons. rs a
paint shop, on the opposite corner Of Be-
resford and King street, but was arrested
at the house in the occupation of Mr.. Lad
aveze, the third door from the southwest
corner of Beresford and King streets.
Streets running North and South.
On King street from the I'd door below
Beresford street, oil the houses are burnt
on the Western side to Society street-on
the Eastern side from opposite Beresford to
Society street. On Meeting street, Wes-
tern side from the New Theatre to the Cor
ner of Society street--on the Eastern side
from the Ice House to Society street. On
Anson street on the Western side from the
Sugar Refinery to st. Stephens Chapel
on the Eastern side from opposite the SUI
gar Refinery TO Laurens street. On East
Bay street, West side, from the South cor
ner of tiasell street To the two doors North
of Society street-on the East side from op-
posite Hasell street to Society street. From
the House on the West side occupied By
Dr. Porcher, at the corner Of Cumberland
street to Market street-on the East side
three brick houses belonging 10 William
Aiken, Esq, extending to Market street.
Streets running East and West.
On Beresfo.d street North and South
side two thirds. Swinton's enc. North
and South side, two thirds. Market street
West of King Street, both sides, all with
the exception Of two houses. Market street
to the East of King, all the buildings on
both sides, and also, tho market including
the new masonic hall, fronting Meeting
street, down TO Church street. Beaufsin
street, oil the houses on both sides TO 81.
Philips street. fIasell street, all the hous-
es on both sides including the Roman Cath
olic Chapel and the Hebrew Synagogue
and the Methodist Church called Trinity,
with the exception of the house on the
North in the occupation Of John Stoney,
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