The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-08
VOH1. EaE. No. EHA
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

THREE CHURCHES AND THE NATIoNAL Thea
TIRE DESTROYED. Yesterday afternoon, about
D O'Clock, some of the persons employed in the
National I'heatres conrncr Of Leonard 81 Church
streets discovered fire in the vicinity ofthe
Stss room, which they endeavored to eXtinguish
with small force pump, but were soon obliged
! 10 relinquish it and make good their retreat.
Ihe building was soon enveoped in flames,
which communicated to the adjoining rear of
the French Episcopal Church, de ST. ESPRIT
corner of Franklin and Church streets, and 10
The African Church opposite on the corner of
Church aud Leonard streets The inside of tho
buildings with their contents were entirely des-
royed. The rear gable and part o one of the
side walls Of the Theatre fell, destroying tho
rear part Of the two STORY brick front dwelling,
No. 10 Leonard street, and set fire TO the stone
Dutch Reformed Chmch in Franklin street, be
tween Chapel and Church streets, the inside Of
which, together WITH the roof Of the two story
school house next adjoining and belonging to
The Church were destroyed. The walls of the
French Church and of the Dutch Reformed
Church do not appear to be injured, particular
ly the former, the walls aud pillars Of which
are OF white marble. The walls of the African
Church and Theatre will probably have to come
down. The Churches are supposed 10 be in
sured. The Theatre owned by Messrs.
ANmar q Co. and Mauran. and leased Ivy Mr.
James Walack, whose loss is estimated at about
$25 O0O-no insurance. The building was val
ued at about 100000, and insured in this city
for 10000.
The n Y. Commercial estimates the property
destroyed at 5000, OF which probably non
more than quarter part was insured.
The Sinking VaHey. In The night of the 18Th
of June The inhabitants Of the village Of Freder-
o"k were awakened by a subtcraneous noise
and sort of earthquake, which gave a violent
shock TO all their dwellings. Ignorant of sthe
cause of this terrible shock, they FASTENED into
the streets, and saw to- lheir terror that the
whole valley in which most OF The houses are
situated had become loosened from the r1ountan
that il had sunk considerably; and was advanc.
ing towards the Wolga. The terror of these
people was eXteme, when they the whole
mass moving. and that some of their houses
We're tossed up, while some sank down. In a
short time there We're formed on lhisssunken sur
face elevations and depressons, and broad and
very regular cracks, which give it the appear
ance OF a terrace; where there had been nashes
or small lakes, hills had arisen and elevated spots
bad become hollow, filled with water rs well as
cracks. The undulating motion continued for
seventy two hours, after which it gradually ceas-
I'd. More than seventy houses are damaged
derably higher up than the village, have shf-
led most of all. Happily no persons have
,erishcd. Dur ng the confusion the peasants
NJ lived in the open air; they are now beginning
o repair the houses. The sinking of the valley
$ mile and aahalf long, and $50 fathoms broad.
It is not vet known how far the valley has
,een showed forward Hamburg Boresen Halle.