The Rodney telegraph., 1839-09-11

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Dis NITROUS CoNFLAGRATION. :
w reTTet q record that yesterday morn
ing, orr rity was visited with the most disas-
astrous con6agratiou which has ever befallen
It. About two o'clock. a. M. q fame was
discovered bursting forth from stable on
Cotton Alley, in the rear Of the buildings
known as Commercial Row, on Commerce
street. With almost inconceivable velocity
il spread among the store.houses, ware,
rSbms, and other edifices IN the vicinity, till
the whole block composing some Of the most
substantial aud valuable buildings IN the
city, bounded by Commerce. Franklin and
Pearl Streets, and Cotton Alley, were en-
veIoped in flames and fell prey to the de-
vouring element. Cotton Alley being very
narrow, the FIRE extended its ravages across
il, and swept away also all the buildings on
the south side in the rear Of Main ct.
Owing to the long drought, the consequent
scarcity Of water and the dryness Of the ma
teriaIs, the constant and unremitfcd labors
Of the firemcn and the citizens could not
check its progress within those limits; but
they were m1re fortunate on the south side
Of Cotton Alley, where, contrary to expec.
tation, their labor aud skill, not however
without the greatest exertlon, stayed its
course. AT one time there was too good
evidence for believing that it would extend
to Main street and level with the ground al
least the whole front on that street, between
Commerce and PEARL Those buildings
were frequently on fire. as were also those
ON the North side of Franklin street.
The conflagr stion presented fearful and
appalling spectacle. The destruction oi
property for city of the size and population
Of Natchez was very great, and has fallen
upon the most valuable and commerciai part
of the town; occurring too at this particular
crisis in pecuniary matters, it is rendered in
effect doubly disastrous.
The total amount of property destroyed
is fully 100000.
AS 10 the origin Of this calamitous occur
renee, there is no positive information, bu
there can be bat little doubt that it was the
result ofthe carelessness of negroes.
FRIDAY MoRNIxG, Six O'CLOCK, A. M.
Again this morning our citizens were
startled from their slumbers by the appalling
cry Of fire. At quarter before one, flame
was discovered issuing from the roof Of ths
residence Of Mr.. VIM. B. Howell, on Com
merce street, adjoining the house Of Mr.
Exum Lewis, where the progress Of thc con
flagraiion of yesterday was stayed. TIL,
fire probably was communicated BY mean
of the timbers which projected through tn
hrick wall that separated the two houses
In few moments the whole roof was envel
oped in flames. Mr. H's. house was large
two story brick building; his family residet
in the upper story. In the lower story were
two stores, where were the goods Of Mr.
Lewis and James Stockman, rescued iron
the fire of yesterday. These were agail
saved, as was also MIR. HIS furniture. AgaiI
we have to record the successful cxertion
of our firemen and citizens. Although thi
house was united with another block q
buildings, the fire was not permitted to sprea,
and at this moment is almost entirely sub
ducd. If a plentiful supply of water coul'
at once have been obtained, the house NIGH
have been saved with but comparatively Ii.
tie injury,-as it is, it is nearly total ruin
Its value was about S l6 900, aud we believe
was without insurance. HID the progress
Of the flames not been arrested at this point
the greater part ofour city would have beer
laid in ashes. Too much praise cannot b
awarded to our Firemen and others, who
reckless Of all danger, seemed insensible
every thing save the discharge of their duty