Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-10-24
GREAT FIRE AT MOBILE.
From the Mobile Mercantile Advc tiser of October TO-
AWFUL CONFEDERATION!
ELEVEN SQUARES DESTROYED BY r1RE!!!

ELEVEN SQUARES DESTROYED BY FIREIi,
we have only time this morning, before 90
Ing to press, to announce the occurrence of the
most awful and destructive fire which ever
before occurred in our unfortunate and ill star
red city. Last night, at about eight o'clock,
when the wind was blowing almost gale
from the Southeast, the fire broke out n an
old wooden building in the rear of the house
on the southeast corner of Dauphin and Con-
ceptlon streets, owned by Mr.. Pinto. The
adjoining buildings, being all of wood, the
hre was soon communicated to them, and in
lew minutes crossed Conception street.
Here 1t had full sweep. The buildings be-
ing very compact, and all of wood, and the
wind southeast, the fire swept over the two
squares west of Conception, from Cont on the
South to st. Francis on the North. with nm
exampled and terrible rapidly. Proceeding
west, 1t crossed St. Joachim street then Jack
son; here 1t extended one square further north.
TO ST. Michael street; and then, three solid
squares abreast, all IN one grand terrific flame,
1t swept onward to Claiborne street. and eros
sed 1t, sweeping every thing, to Franklin st.
Here, at about twelve O'Clock, the wind for
tunately abated ; in consequence of which,
and the blowing up of several buildings on
the west side OF Franklin street, the progress
OF the devouring element was stayed Not.
''N"S'ois hitii oI elOHl DullulnuS the
W. st side of Franklin had been DESTROYED.
The dwelling of Duke Goodman, Esq on the
corner OF Dauphin and Franklin, was blown
up.
1hus all the buildings on the north side Of
Cont, from Conception to Franklin, a distance
OF tour squares-all on both sides ofDaupbin.
TO the same eXtent-on both sides ofSt Fran
CTS to same extent, with the exception ofthree
buildings ON each side at the corner of Con-
ceptlon-all the buildings on the south side
OF st. Michael, from Jackson to Franklin
all on the cross streets of Conception, st. 10
achin. Jackson, Claiborne, and Franklin, and
probably twenty TO thirty buildings besides. in
the vicinity.$ Within the limits described a.
bove, numbering it is supposed, about FIVE
HUNDRED BUILDINGS, have suddenly
been reduced to ashes! BY this awful ca
amlty, probably two hundred families are
turned into tine streets, many of whom arc
poor and pennyless, and will depend entirely
upon public charity for place to rest their
heads, and for bread to appease their hunger.
The flames extended with such rapiditv, that
but little property could be saved and MANY.
very many, have lost their all. We are un-
able this morning to descend TO particulars.
IL impossible to convey any idea of the dis
tfess produced. The removal of the sick. and
the consequent exposure, excitement, and a.
farm, we tear will In many instances be pro-
ductive of fatal results.
The origin of the fire is attributed to ncen-
cendiaries; and we understand that two per-
sons were seized on suspicion and lodged in
laii. Can it be possible there can be found
In human shape such base, fiendishmonsters
Mobile seems indeed doomed city. Have
we not drank deep enough Of the bitter cup of
adversely and afflicton When and where
VIII our calamities end! Alas! Heaven on
ly knows