The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-15
From the Philadelphia National Gazette Of Oc-
tober s.

EXTENSIVE FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.
About eleven O'Clock last night fire was dis
covered in the basement story Of w e.. j. StroUps
Provision Store, No. IA South Whnrves, between
Chestnut and Market streets, facing the Della
ware river. Three Custom House watchnen,
broke open the door, AID state that few buckets
Of water would have extinguishe,l The fire, but
draught created Ivy opening the door instantly
Increased it, and extended TO various comuusp'
hlo merchandise. In few minutes The flames
burst our and reached the adjoining provision
store of ID. w. Prescott.
Although the fire companies were promptly
on the ground, the progress Of the flames was
so rapid that the prospect OF arresting them was
even at that early hour, very doubtful. I'he
grocery stores OF G. CheeseborouGh and OF Geo.
A Wood, No is south wharves, the oil store of
NewIin and AiIibonc, and the commission
store OIL. Emlin, No. IL, the iron warehouse Of
Andrew M. Jones and Brothers, the office of the
Merchants Transportation Line. and the general
Commission warehouse OF G. King & Co., No.
1G, We're successfully cnveloped in the devour.
ing elements.
The tavern kept by George Nealis was next
attacked; ard from thence the fire communica.
ted to the large Oil warehouse of Shober, Bunt.
ting 81 Co, No 81, extending through to wa
ter street. At this point the Tonfagrnliou be
came terrific. The Ship Chandlery Of A. IL.
slin<e, No. 26 South WIarves. and the com.
mission warehouse OF NeWbold 81 Naverstick,
consumed.
Here the fire reached the corner of Chcs mt
street. Returning to Water street, ad accent To Mr.
Prescotts's store the fire is traced TO John iiar-
ding Juniors extensive wholesale grocery es-
tahisIment, No. II, thence TO very large whole
sale grocery Of White, Stevens 81 Co, No. 81
and the store house Of the same firm, %; thence
to II. Sloan's general commission warehouse,
No. 20, aud thence 10 the large fre-proof store
house; occupied by w. X. Thompson q Co.
Next to this building stood the Fulton House,
which with all the houses above mentioned were
utterly destroyed. The buildings on the oppo-
site west side OF the street then took fire. in
this range William Il. Thompson s. Co.'S
storchonse, IA second building occupied by that
frm9 the llbcrniau tavern kept by J. Fizpat-
rick and between the latter and Chesnut steet,
three houses occupied taverns and clothing
stores. Al the northwest of Water aud Chestnut
streets, the clothing store of Guskill g. Barnes
was next consumed.
From the of the latter row Of buildings
the fire communicated with those facing on The
east side of Front street. There, William
Steel's starch Factory, No q, was partially in
jured; Davis's Suspeuder Mandatory, No. 20,
and eight other buildings were destroyed.
The house at the northeast corner of front g.
Chestnut street, nnch damaged The in
tense. heat OF the flying cinders set fire mum
Der OF stores on the west side OF Front street.
Here the fire was checked insthis direction,
beyond the expectation of the spectators. Mean
while the flames had extended TO the steamboat
Hotel, on the south side of Chestnut street. at the
corner of water.-NeXt door n coopers shop
was destroyed, and Office and baggage depot OF
OF the Camden and Amboy Line was material,
ly injured. At The southwest corner of Water
Streets, the fire reached the clothing store OF
Enoch Allen; next tie barber shop Of William
Grogras next to Martins tavern, No. 81 Front
street, and to the German commissi on house of
Meisgies and Unkart, No. SO. These houses
were wholly consumed. All the buildings
which Were within the circle of the flames
burnt literally to the ground. There prevailed
during the whole night II strong Northeast wind,
which rapidly extended the conf agration, and
greatly increased the difficulties of operating
against it efficiently.
In several of The stores, the oil, liquors, and
other comhus!abcs, b!azcd for hours with in
tense violence. Explosions were frequent, and
sevcra! ure said to have been kegs of gunpow.
powder. AT six o'clock this morning, The indie
faIlgable and daring exertions of the fremen had
reduced the flames, and further destruction of
property ceased TO he unprecedented. Itis impOs.
slbIG 10 commend in terms too ardent or CRATE
I'M, the labors OF the iiyemen on this occasion.
when 'hey had no opportunity Of working mt the
engines, or PERFORMING other duties, they got
drays and carts in the neghborhood, loaded
them with goods and furniture, and dragged
them with Infinite toll 10 places OF secure deposit.
The Mayor and the whole body of watchmen
We're on the ground, protecting the property seat
tered about the streets, and preserving order
among the thousands ofspectutors who throng-
ed to the disastrous scene.
The amount OF property Of various kinds thus
destroyed. it is impossible TO estimate, with pre-
cislon, bnt II may be reasonably stated at about
six hundred thousand dollars. This loss is most
unney Never, we learn, have the merchants
OF this city stood more in need of regular and
prosperous trade.
The most painful norton If this rnrital vpt
remains. Several, we know nor how many
have been killed or severely wounded. One
man., fireman named w. Morelaud, was killed
by the falling in of the walls Of Euoch Athens
house. Others it is feared were also MORALLY
hurt. Two of the wounded were carried to the
hospital.
Thomas Barber, an Engineer at the Mint
was killed.
John Douglass, member of the Good Will
Engine Company, and a member of the Hope
Hose Co. are missing, aud the worst is fearel
concerning them. A. number OF other iiremen
were badly Injured