The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-06-06
AWFUL CONFEDERATION.


Port Gibson, We extract the following |
particulars of the destruction of that town
by FIRE, on Saturday last:-
alt is our melancholy duty to record the |
the total destruction Of the whole business
portion of our town by fire. On Saturday
morning, Port Gibson was unquostionably
the most beautiful town in the State now it
is pile Of black and smoky ruins. The fire
broke out about IL o'clock, A. M, in kit
chen in the rear Of the store of Messrs. H.
g. II. o. Anderson. From the extremely
dry state Of every thing, every effort to ex.
tinguish the fire proved unavailing, and in a
few minutes the flames communicated to the
beautiful new stores and ware houses of
Messrs. Anderson's. The building used by
the Bank of Port Gibson came next-then
the store Of Messrs. Moore, Burroughs g.
Co., and tie splendid corner property Of ].
O. Pierson Il Co., occupied below by Bush
s. Elmer, and Wells g. Pierso,,, and above
stairs by the Port Gibson Insurance Com
pany, and Messrs. Elicit g. Payson as Off
ces. The progress of the fire was stayed in
this direction at the corner Of Bank street,
but in the mean time it had made rapid prog
ress in the other direction, and eventually
. every house was consumed on that side Of
the town, from Bank Street to the Court
House.
The Court House, too, fell before the de
vouring element, and the buildings in the
rear of il, up to the Grand Gulf road. The
destruction on the west side of Main ttreet
was unsparing and complete. But the ca
lamiiy did not end here. The flames com.
mnnicaled from the buildings On the west
side Of the stree. to the roof of the stores on
the east side, known as Loring's Row, and
very soon the whole row from the Washing
ton Hall to Bank street was in full blaze
The Hall was manfally, and f,r long time
successfully, defended, but at last fell sa-
cri6ce to the fury Of the flames. The store
of Messrs. Butler and Forbes, and the Offices
annexed to it, are the only buildings that
escaped the destruction, on the east side of
the street, from Bank street to the market
house. Tue Jail was with great difficulty
preserved. Between thirty five and forty
buildings are in ashes, and most of them
brick buildings Of the first quality. A more
destructive confagration, in proportion to
the size and population of the town, never
before occurred. A large quantity of goods
was also DESTROYED. The greater portion Of
the stock of the Messrs. Anderson was burnt
10 the street where it had been removed for
safety. All the mercantile houses have suf-
fered eonsiderably-and some very severely.
1t is impossible at present to form cor
rect estimate Of the amount of the loss. A
large amount was insured in the Port Glib
son Insurance office, and a considerable in
surance was held in the Grand Gulf and
Natchez offices. The first named Office
will be the heaviest suffer, but will be abun-
dainty able to sustain itself. The books and
papers of every house were saved, and ais ,
the entire books and effects of Bank and In
surance Co. Had the disaster occurred in
the night, it would have been impossible to
have saved any thing Of value. As it is
nearly every one Of our citizens has sustain.
ed a considerable loss, which for time will
seriously cripple the business, and perhaps
weaken the credit of our place. The incon
.venience will become Immediately felt from
the fact that no suitable buildings are lief
for those who are now rendered houseles:
and homeless, to occupy, with the remnan
Of their property for the prosecution of theil
business. But We hope soon to see our towr
rise from its ashes, and assume its former
beautiful garments. There is no fear bu
such will he the case.
Orr citizens possess enterprise and deter
mination second to no other community OF
earth, and no appeal was ever made Il
southern generosity in vain. Some of ou
fellow citizens we fear arc ruined, and MAY
need the aid of their sympathizing country
men. Most of us however will only ask for
bearance, until industry, spirit and enter
prise will enable US, out Of the ruin, to re
construct the ediice of our fortunes. Neve
was destruction more complete than tina
which has fallenupou us-and never was ca
lamity borne with greater degree Of man
illness and fortitude. We have no time t
sspend in the expression Of sorrow and regre
over the ruin and destruction that hav
come upon us-no heart to describe til
frightful picture that is presented on ever
side of u.s. We can only exhort all to be
good cheer, and to think of the best mean
to restore what is lost, rather than TO yield |
despair, or to waste their time IN laments
ton.
A public meeting Of the citizens Of tn
county will be held at the Presbyteria
church on Wednesday next 18th inst. J, at
o'clock, A. M to consider what measure
of relief can be adopted in this emergency
All are invited to attend.
We understand that the iron safe in III
counting room of Hopes g. Bogart, wa