Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-05-25

stopped. House after house caught, until
the entire square was on fire, and then the
vicinity presented scene of ruin and
destruction, that we solemnly hope may
never be our lot TO witness, nor describe
again. 1t must be recollected, that at
this period of the sad catastrophe, the sun
being at its meridian, poured down scorch-
ing rays upon those who struggled in vain
to oppose The devastating element; show
ers OF hot cnders, and clouds of dust and
smoke blew directly in the faces of the
tiremen, who in many instances, from
being nearly sutfoca,ed, were obliged to
desist for time, and remove their engines
further off. Added to this combination of
difficulties, little or no water was 10 be
had, and the small quantity that was d.
rected to the burning element, was like
pouring bucket full of water into the
hot and lurid crater of Hecla. The only
water that could be obtained was drawn
from the cutters, the plugs from the differ
ent hydrans in the immediate vicininlty
being permitted TO run from the first
breaking out of the fire. In this state Of
things it was impossible to arrest the con-
fiagration for a single moment, and thou
sands Of our citizens mi ght be seen stand.
ing on the pavemcnts, with folded arms,
and countenances betokening how much
sympathy they felt for the unfortunate
sufferers, vet still unable TO assist them in
the slightest degree. 1t made the blood
freeze in the heart when mothers, with
young infants in their arms, rushed from
their burning dwellings, und sought re-
fuge, God only knows where! Here
might be seen disconsolate women with
their babes, standing beside the blackened
ruins of their once humble, though happy
homes; there n hard working bronzed-
featured man, who had lost the earning of
months of hard labor and toll and again
shreking and frightened children, wan
dering in the streets in search of their
parents! The streets were literally filled
with furniture of every description-beds,
bedding, groceries,, dry goods, valuable
books, &C., &c., were thrown heller
SHELTER, here and there. Such, however,
was tho heat Of the air, aided by the
smoke that proceeded from the burning
tenements, that persons who were remov.
ing their effects were, in some cases,
obliged TO drop whatever they were con-
veying, and seek shelter from the pursuing
elements.
We are sorry that we have to record
the death Of child aged about six years.
Its mother, in her haste to save her young
est darling, rushed with it in her arms TO
a place of safety, and before she could
return, The roof Of her dwelling had fall
en- in and buried the poor innocent in the
smoking ruins. A fireman belonging TO
Engine No. 8, was also, we are informed,
somewhat injured by the falling of brick
upon his foot. A stil-born infant was
found in a trunk near one of the burnt
tenements.
The fire ragged with undated fury for
mira than three hours, during which time
ten entire squares were consumed. The
flames were confined 10 Jackson street for
some time; but they crossed to Canal on
the right, and Common street on the left,
until that entire section of the city, Tex
cepting Stone g. Kennedy's Hospital,
which was somewhat injured, and few
houses on the right hand side Of Common
street) bounded by Canal, Claiborne,
Common and Franklin streets, was con.
sumed.