Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-04-23
From the Pittsburgh Gazette, April IL.
Incidents of the Fire

Globe Factory began 10 burn, the Third Presby
terrain Church was in most imminent danger
The members of that denomination rallied around
it, and by cutting away the end of the roof which
projected over the wall next the fire, and covering
the roof with wet cloths, succeeded in saving it.
We saw clearly that the salvation of dozen
squares depended upon il, for it had caught, its
immense sieeple would have carried clouds of fire
over a considerable portion of the city which
wholly escaped. The American Office was sa-
we'd by throwing water on the roof with buckets
The block of buildings in which our Office is
located, was saved by the efforts of the fremen,
in keeping the Ioofs wet, and particularly by a
single hose from the engine in Forth street, which
saved the Post Office, and so saved The block.
The rapidly with which the flames spread. was
most remarkable. The whole of South Ward,
containing from seven to nine hundred houses, was
consumed entirely, in the space of two hours
From the time the fire reached this ward, across
Wood street. until it spread 10 every part of it,
covering about sixteen squares, there was scarce
!y an interval of haitian hour!
The Monongahela bridge took fire at the North
end, next to Pittsburgh. and the flames ran roaring
aud cracking through with railroad speed. and
from the time the fire commenced, until il was
PROSTATE in the river, only ten minutes elapsed!
The wind shifted at various time, and created
excessive dread in other parts Of the city. All
the stores along Market street. in the Diamond,
Diamond Alley and Fifth street, as well as along
Wood, were stripped and packed up. and as many
of the goods moved as was possible. A gentle
man doing business near the head of Liberty st.
this side ofthe canal, he would cheerfnlly have
given 81 200, at one time. to have had an insur-
ance from an Office out of the city, on his stock of
$4,000, although the fire. had not then got to
Diamond Alley. This is only a sample Of the
universal horror and dread which filled the city.
AT one tine wind blew due east, then south, then
veered round toward the North. Such was the
critical position of our Office, and the block in
which it is. that had the wind at one time, veer-
ed to the Northeast for one minute, it would have
gone.
Messrs. Sibbet and Jones opened their safe in
the morning, but every book and paper in it were
burnt up, and the gold and silver melted together.
Hardly one safe out of ten, exposed to the fire
in the buildings, saved any thing in them. We
noticed large number completely destroyed with
all their contents.
A number of sick persons were removed, and
not few of them ladies in very delicate situa-
tons.
VIM. ]. Mitchell living in Front street, next
door to Fenlon's Livery stable. was coming out
of his house past the table. when a gust Of wind
blew an enormous flame of fire with such force
as to knock him. down, burning his face. hands
and back very severely.
A fireman had his face burned so raw, the blood
ran from it.
Mr.. Malcom Leech was on the top of his ware
house looking at the fire, and when coming down
was injured pretty severely by fall.
The only life lost that we have heard of, was a
poor woman in Third street.
Amidst all the distress, there were those around
who added to the Calamity by stealing. Among
others, the Rev. Ge,. S. Holmes had about $500
stolen, which he had gathered up by great econo
my on Methodist preachers salary. He also
lost large number of valuable manuscripts, the
labor of twenty years.
To show the rapidly of the fire we may melton
that gentleman of our acquaintance arrived at
the American Hotel about one o'clock, dnd leav-
ing his trunk, walked out to see the fire, which
was then nearly quarter of a mile off. In q
short time he returned and found the hotel liz flames
He lost his trunk, with nearly all his clothing and
papers, and considerable sum of Money.
One reason Of which the rapidly with which
the fire spread is be found in the extraordinary
dryness of the weather for two weeks past. We
uoVO hot bdu Suo ct VI III stific
trifng exception. Every particle Of wood in the
houses of the city, was as dry as finder.
Amidst all the horror, distraction and confusion
prevailing throughout the city, there was no un-
manly fear or vain repinings manifested. The
sufferers bore their calamtes with manly firmness
and as soon they had unavailingIy tried to save
their own property, they put forth their exertions
to save their neighbors. At one time, when it
was thought the whole city must 60, there was no
wildness apparent, no want of dign6ed and man
ly bearing. This conduct speaks volumes in
praise Of our citizens, and gives Indications that
their iudomiiabe energies not to be crushed.
THE INDIVIDUAL LOSSES
The losses of some individuals and houses are
enormous. ranging from $4,000 up to 100000.
Thus, one firm of wholesale glocers. the heaviest
holders of sugar, Moasses, &c. in the city, and al
so owners of the buildings in which they did bust
ness cannot have lost less than from $50 to $780,
600. There is the Monongahela house, also,
which cost 100000, including the furpi ure.-
In many instances Merchants not only lost stocks
worth $50, 000 but also their dwelling houses aud
every dollars worth of furniture and clothes hey
possessed. Said one. have lost $4,000 and
have now but one dollar in the world.
| The Exchange OMces.-MessIs. Sibbeu and