The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-07-20

rending The fire at about the hour Of halfpast
two, was nearly got down, but the hose companies
were still actively engaged in THAR vocation The
Mayor remained at the City Hall during the greater
part of the day. The scenes to be witnessed, on
several of the owners of property claiming it from
the police really amusing, if on so appalling an
ants storming loudly for their property, while the
Keepers refusing to give 1t up without orders; seve
raj highly exciting disputes arose between the par
ties Beds, tables, chairs, baskets, bottles,
and every description of household furniture, were
strewn here for safety upon the grass inside the rail
| AT nightall last evening, Gordon was drawn by
the military around the site of the calamity, and
one was allowed, without being well known, TO ap
proach the buildings or places where property was
deposited.
Several iron safes have been saved from the ruins
many OF them 50 LITTLE, injured that the books and
Brooks s still standing on the second floor, and
| though several times enveloped in flames, is still in
available condition. Barclay u Livingston have al
| so saved their books and papers.
| Mr.. Augustus l.. Cowdrey, member of No. A.
son of the late Samuel Cowdrey, in one Of the
buildings in Broad street when it fell-he has not
been heard of since. A reward is offered for his
discovery
The terror and alarm was so great that the board
ers and many of the females, halfdressed, fled in
| fright from the Waverly House, the moment that
pile, of buildings took fire Many of them sought
shelter in the City, and Croton Hotels, and other
places. All escaped in safety some, however, lost
their luggage
DR.. Burkelew's drug store in Broadway, is entire
that he is greatly injured by the explosion His arm
was broken, and his head bruised 1t is feared his
wounds will prove fatal He has been removed to
| his house, No. 9 Clinton street, Brooklyn
A melancholy and truly distressing scence took
place at No. 10 Greenwich street M. Henry, of
John Carey, died OF consumption while the fire
raging, and while the flames were spreading to snch
an extent that II was supposed that the house in
,,,i ba ho
came, and his body, wrapped In his bed clothes,
was immediately conveyed to place of safety.
Mr.. Moore, Of the Croton Hotel, hearing that
there were some poor families made houseess
by the fire. loaded cart with provisions. and sent
the grateful and timely relief TO hundreds, who,
hausted and fasting, would but tor ths;have suffered
hunger, perhaps starvation.
Such was the alarm at one time prevailing that
many persons residing at considerable distance
began to remove their goods. At the Pearl Street
House all was activity, everything was packed up at
manner, placed all his stores at the disposal of the
needy, and those whose duty required them
10 exert themselves, himself assisting most heartily
in more respects than one. From the roof of this
building most capital view was had of the whole
progress of the fire.
The Philadelphia Hotel, at the corner of Beaver
md Broad streets, presented sublime sight The
whole seven stories were wrapped in flames at one
moment. The sides being stone, II presented the
appearance of volcano. The flames, ascending
upwards, from the centre TO an immense height
while the fire pouring out from every window on
It's four sides, gave 1t grand and majestic appear
ance.
The Broad street Hotel, corner of Pearl street,
was on fire and the top was damaged. The loss OF
this building would be deeply regretted, it is
building memorable in oden time. II was here that
Gen. Washington took his leave Of the army, which
is so touchngly described by Marshall. When he
called his comrades IN arms to him, and after filling
glass of wine, with tears, babe them farewell, and
after embracing each, left the city in a boat then
waiting at Whitehall for Mount Vernon.
rumor prevails that there quantity of gum
powder in the building where the explosion took
received in barter for saltpetre OF the truth OF
his we cannot at present obtain any satisfactory
evidence, though 1t very certain that sapetre in
its common state, and having undergone no pre-
paration, will not explode, though it is highly
combustlble There were about thousand bags
Of it in the building.
About twelve o'clock, a hremen, apparently in the
agonles OF death, was lying the steps of the
Bank OF Commerce, surrounded by physicians and
friends. Neither his name the cause of the &C.
cldent could be ascertained.
A good view OF the fire, it ragged in Broad
street, was obtained from the Custom House steps
They crowded with spectators from the earles,
hour, principally by females Numbers of Others
Kept continuaymovingt TO andfro IN open carriages,
endeavoring to catch glance of what was going
forward wherever there was chance.
Mr.. Robert Rays splendid dwelling in Broadway,
next to Mr.. ID. Hale's, which may be recoected by
having two splendid couchan lions AT the entrance
was entirely destroyed. Mr.. Ray is at present in
Europe, and the house was IN the charge of Prime,
Ward and King.
Had the crew of the U. States ship North Carroll
ma been landed as they might have been, they could
have relieved the fremen and prevented much of
me loss OF property, il no'o life; Col. Bankhead
Captain Hudson, U. 8 ~, the Mayor, Aldermen
Charck, Stoneal, and Assistant Alderman Purser
and the Chief Of Police, early on the ground,
and contributed by their presence and direction to
encourage the ircmen and prevent depredations.
Wall street, Pine street, Pearl street, and other
places, even as far up as Buring slip, are filled with
masses OF goods lying in heaps and strewcd along
the pavements Would It not be well to provide at
once some place OF safety, in which these goods
could be stored They are now exposed to every
sort Of depreciation
The books, papers, &c, belonging to Barclay Il
Livingston, were all saved.
Several gentlemen were relieved of their wallets
in the crowd. In some cases, (indeed in al) the
business was done with great experiences. Mr.. B.
OF the City Hotel, had his wallet Containing some
80 or 40 dollars) taken from the inside breast peck
ct OF his coat and others from the close pocket of
their pantaloons-and a wholesale business done in
pocket handkerchefs, &c.
Fire engines from Newark, Jersey City, BROOKLYN,
and all around were present lending their aid The po-
lice were very active and most Of the property res
cued from the flames has been savedby them Their
great value to the city has been seen at this fire
The following proclamation was issued at ten
o'clock, by the Mayor, and extensively placarded
throughout the city.
PRocL,nATio,-Gsneral Sanford is hereby reauested
forthwith to order out Company of Horse and such
othcr iorce as nc may deem necessary to protect the
property Of our citizens
All persons requested to render assistance on this
great public calamity.
w. !. HAv.MErER, Mayor
July 10, Is45.
In accordance with the above proclamation the
Eleventh Regiment Of Washington Greys were or. |
dered out. We saw in the Park part Of the First
Company and detachment of the troop attached 10
that regiment. As We left, orders were received |
and the troop Of horse went down Broadway ON
their way TO the scene Of the confagration
LIST and 9th BrIpadpe of New YorL pol,o.
the direction of Justice Ma,sel and the Aldermen Of
the wards.