Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-04-23


mond alley, both sides; up Diamond alley to
Smi,h6eId street, and thence down Smi,hfield
TO Fourth street (both sides.) up Fourth ST.,
to Ross street, and thence to the head of
Pipetown-IncudIDg as we have estimated
above, about 20 squares, and comprising from
10 to 900 houses-many Of the warehouses
con tanning goods Of immense vaIue-,hey
were grocery, dry goods. and commission
houses, and their spring stocks had been just
laid in.
The fire originated in a frame building
over an ice house, belonging to WIN. DIEHL,
near :he corner Of Second and Ferry streets.
The wind was blowing siiffly from the north
west, though it frequently veered 10 other
points, and owing to its variations, the fire
extended up Wood street further than it other
wise could have done. 1t was first discover
ed about | 9 o'clock, and was not materially
checked till 5 in the afternoon--even while
we write, (at o'clock r ny the engines are
playing vigorously in Wood street.
We can give no adequate idea Of the dis
tress which pervades our stricken communi-
~. The progress Of the flames was so fear
fully rapid that many persons had not time
to remove their gOods-oihers, again, had
got their property into the street, when the
flames seized it there, before it could be re-
moved to place Of safety. Others, still,
would not believe the devouring element
could reach their dwellings, and did not
think of removing until it was too late to
save their furniture. And we saw many
people who escaped with nothing but the APP
parel they had upon their persons. A, dark !,
you might see, in every direction, families
sitting without shelter, guarding such por-
tions of their household furniture as they
were able to save from the flames, aud not
knowing where they would lay their heads,
or procure morsel Of food. Of course the
kindness Of their more fortunate fellow ci,i-
zens, did much to alleviate their sufferincs.
and we believe all were provided for as well
rs the melancholy nature Of affairs would
allow.
The Councils met in the afternoon, and
attempted to devise some means 20 stay the
coDftagration. II was proposed to blow up
houses that seemed in the way Of the flames;
the deliberations, however, were Intellectual
in results, and we believe but one or two
buildings were blown up. 1t seems TO US,
indeed, that there could scarcely have been
time 10 accomplish any thing in the way Of
destroying houses, 50 terribly rapid was the
progress Of the fire.
There IS abundant reasons for thank fulness
that SO few lives were lost. There are many
rumors Of men being killed, and burnt and
wounded--but they not authenticated.
One woman is certainly burned, and we saw
poor old man, tottering along with the help
Of two friends, his face badly burned. The
loss of life, however, cannot be learned IN
the awful confusion which prevails.
We know not how to express our sense of
the lively gratitude to which our firemen are
entitled from our afflicted and ruined citizens
as well as those they have saved-noihng
IN The shape OF reward can compensate them
Tor the incessant toll they had to undergo
and for the uny fielding, heroic firmness which
they manifested under the appalling terrors
which sur ounded them on every side. II
they had had sufficiency Of water during
the whole time, they could have saved much
more property,--as i: was they prevented the
destruction Of an incalculab'e amount.
The following are the principle public
buildings, manufactures and offices that were
destroyed:
Globe Cotton Factory, corner Of 81 and
Ferry.
Fire Navigation Insurance Office, Market
between I'd and Sd.
Penn Insurance Office, corner Marke, and
Sd.
Bank of Pittsburgh, 4th between Market
and Wood.
Office Of DAILY Chronicle.
Job Printing Office, of J. 3. Butler, Sd be-
tween Main and Wood streets.
Merchants Hotel, corner Sd and Wood SITS.
A. Kramer's exchange Office dc.
Jones & Sibbe,'s Exchange Office. corner
4th and Wood SITS.
VIM. A. Hills Exchange Office, between
4th and Diamond Alley.
X. & r. II. Patterson's Eagle and Bazaar
Livery Stables. Diamond Alley and 4,h st.
Associate Reformed Church, 4th near
Grant; Baptist Ckurch, Grant st.
Bakewelis extensive Glass Works, Water
above Grant st.
The Monongahe!a House destroyed, with
all the furniture.