The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-28
Louisville.
Correspondence Of the Herald
LOUISVILLE, April 20, 1872.
Fire, Fight and Murder.
Louisville.
JAS. GORDON BENNETT

JAS. GORDON BENNETT
DEAR SIR:-
Murder most foul, as in the best tits,
But this most foul, strange and unn aturai."
On the night of the 10Th ultimo, at about ten
minutes before IL o'clock, a fire broke out in the
rear OF some frame buildings on Sixth street. be-
tween Main street and the river. The light combus-
tlble materials Of which these houses were CON-
posed soon caused the flames to spread will. such IN
alarming rapldity as TO threaten the destruction Of
more stately and valuable buildings that were in
close proximity to the conf, grafton. Immediately
opposite to the first outbreak OF the fire were some
few frame houses, composed of equally as light ma.
terias as those already Being devoured by the dread
full element. BY almost superhuman exertios,, the
vigilant hremen, after combating the destroy ing
elemen, for sometime with untiring ,abbornnessand
fortitude, finally checked the onward and devasta.
ting progress OF the raging element. The houses
that these fircmen saved from destruction were con-
sidered by the owners as " past recovery; yet, by
their zeal and continued exertion, did they conquer
that monster, which is as remorseless as that dread
de stroyer, death
After the flames had become somewhat abated,
it so CHANGED that the Union No. 2, and the Ken.
lucky No. ), were on opposite sides OF the shoulder
ing ruins, ard " hills. there the water of the Kentucky
was thrown over, by which means No 2s men were
pretty well drenched. Determined not to be out.
done or backed out" No. 2 directed her pipe in
the direction Of No. Sc men, thereby returning the
cOmplimen. of letting them =" taste a little of fresh
water" Both parties iabou,ing under the imprss-
sion (Which was a wrong one,) that each was the
aagressor, fell to in good earnest ard had a regular
Sc water fight" No. 2 proving too strong for No. ),
they fell back behind the CHI mnies, from whence
they poured it into the members OF No. 2 right
handsomely. 1t is said that Ne. 2, mol being able
TO rou, Old Kentuck" from behind her defenccs
$50. -s~..l ..L,oV ,trt,,, ST.. .--. -
"'brick bats,'' which served to dlslodge them from
their shelter. No. 5 now determined To board her
opponent and come TO "fs'y cuffs" The timely
inter renee, however, Of the directors of each Of
the companles, caused them to deslst a cessation
of hos'ilities therefore took place.
Whilst this cooling battle was at its heighth, a
more s-erious-tragica' IN its end-and bloody affair
TRANSFERRED ln another quarter OF the held q man by
waylaid and murdered in an alley, forming a rear
entrance to his dilapidated habitaion. His dwelling
had not escaped the ravages OF the fire, but had par
italy suffered the fate of its neighbors. The only
cause that can be assigned as to the probable instiga-
ton the murderer had TO take the life Of this poor
old. and almost helpless man, is, that he was pfinci-
pal witness in a case Of long standing, in which
Mclaughlin (the supposed murderer) was defendant.
The case referred TO was that OF cutting oil a mans
nose whilst engaged in an election tight. The man
who lost his nose is by name Coiier.
Strong circumstantial evidence will be gwen by
a number OF witnesses, for Mr.. Patien, before he ex-
PRED declared, in the presence of several, that it was
Mclaughlin that murdered him +; the knife with
which the deed was perpetraied is in the possession
OF those who will be the principal witnesses In Inc
case. How Mclaughlin could have committed the
deed and make his escape unseen by the many who
were constantly passing about the premises, yet re-
mains in mystery.
Two persons who were sic epipg in one OF the
houses that were on fire anne very near losing their
lives one ofthem, having been awoke by the noise
and confusion around him, awoke his comrade,
who, seeing the flame everywhere around him, fled
nnt nnpptnn uhIthaY-ha lun god
through a window, and by his fail shattered his leg
at The thigh. His bed-iellow was more unfortu-
nate-bewIldered, amazed and astonished at what
he saw and heard, he knew not where TO fly or
what to do, and thus proved a victim to his supine-
ness and bewilderment. His faithful dog persisted
with him. proving his hiellty and affection " even
unto death" The fire was undoubtedly the work OF
an incendiary.
Boz passed through here on his way to New York
on the 18Th. The High Priest of Mesmerism was
with him when at the Gait House. BY the way,
the lectures on Mesmerism have be,n suspended
no one can assign a cause or reason.
LOUIsyILLE,