The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-05-04
FIRE!-AWFUL CONFLAGRATIoN :.
SPECTATOR OFFICE,
Ncirhern AZ l. Anr1I Dnth lsh3

We anticipate the dag Of publication, to
announce to our readers abroad, that our
Town has Just been visited by one Of the
most extensive and destructive fires, that
has occurred here, within the recollection
OF our Oldest inhabitants. On Tuesday
last, just before ? O'clock, p. NJ. while
most OF our citizens were dining, the alarm
Of fire was given by the citizens and ring.
ing Of bells, and il was soon discovered
that the Steam Mill near Union point.
owned by John Blackwell, Esq and known
as the Wade Mil, was on fire. la short
space many were OH the spot, using every
effort 10 eXtingusA the flames, but 1t ragged
with such violence, they were driven from
the Mil, and rushed to the protection OF
the buildings lying on the eastern part Of
the town. To increase our alarm and
danger, at this time the wind was blowing
half a gale from 5. 5. L. which soon veer-
ed due South, increasing in violence as
the flames spread. In 80 minutes ware.
house belonging to Mr.. Isaac TAYLOR, at
distance of geo yards from the Mil, was
on fire, and in 10 minutes more, the build
lngs on the cornor of South Front street,
and almost simultaneously with these, the
roof Of the dwelling on Pollock street. oc.
cupied by Mrs. La Motto, nearly 500
yards from the Mill, were in flames. On
ward still the fire ragged, until the alarm
for the safety of the whole Of the Town
lying east of Crayen-street, became gene.
raj. AT half past three o'clock, the dan.
ger was imminent, in twenty different
points, which so disconnected the citizens,
that no definite rally could be made at any
one poin, for the suppression of the fire.
Fortunately, there was slight inclination
Of the wind at / o'clock to the westward,
which inspired some hope, that the great.
err portion of the Town would be saved
from ruin. TIE fire however continued
TO spread, until all the buildings on the
south side OF South Front street up to Mr..
John Harvev's brick dwelling, and on the
north side Of said street TO Mrs. Chad.
wick 5, up Crayen-street to the Merchants
Bank OH the west side, and block Of fire.
proof buildings on the east side; on both
sides Of East Front-street beyond Pollock,
aud on Pollock nearly TO Craven, were
levelied to the ground. We are unable
al present TO state the extent of the injury
done, but we suppose we speak within
bounds hen we say, that at least so build.
ings occupied as dwellings,, were destroy.
ed at least 500 persons were turned out
of doors, and the loss of property could
not be short of $4,000 Many Of the
persons unshcltered are unable to take
care of themselves, having not only lost
their houses, but their clothing, furniture
aud provisions. The citizens generally
are doing what they can for their relief
but in the present pressure they are una
BILE to furnish the aid many of them need.
As yet, we have no good evidence TO be-
Ileye that any persons persisted in the
flames, though many reports af that ma.
turc have been circulated, Much credit
is due TO some of our citizens for ,her ia,
deatigable exertions during the fire, anG
|, we are happy 10 say, that the Ministers o
our Town, who are ever watchful of oul
spiritual interests, were not backward il
attempting 20 relieve the sufferers in ihci
severe temporal iistresses.
, The Commissioner Of the Town have
called meeting and appointed the Rev
Messrs. HUBBARD, Finch, Pell, Straton
Qngley, and Messrs. NJ. W. Jarvis, VI
. A. Outtcu, J. c. Stevenson, VIM. G. Bry
r an and c. Slower, Committee e ascer
, tain the extent of the loss and the condi
ton of the sufferers, and to raise a sub
scrptlon among our citizens for their i'm
mediate relief
3 All that can be done to relieve them
will he done gladly; but we may iustl,
. say, that many must suffer, unless the SYM
4 pathies Of our sister Towns be aroused l.
. help US. Ii any of our friends abroat,, fee
+ inclined to contribute 10 our aid, they ca
forward the amount to VIM. q, Bryan
Esq. Postmaster, who is the Secretary o
Il the Committee of Relief, and the amour
shah be judiciously appropriated.
'Since the above was in type, Committee az
= pointed by tho Town Commissioners, have mad
i an estimate OF the number of sufferers, &c. 4
). follows
Number Of sufferers, about 70
" Buildings destroyed, 100
!, /" Dwellings, 50
. " Stores
/" Warehouses;, -
y Houses occupied by co. !