Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-04-26

side the canal, tells us he would have cheer |
fully have given 81 900 at one time, to have
had an insurance 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 sample of the universal hor
ror and dread which filled the city. At
one time the wind blew due east then
south, then veered round towards the north.
Such was the critical position Of our office
and the block in which it is, that, had the
wind at one time veered TO the north east
for one minute, it would have gone.
Messrs. Sibbett 81 Jones opened their
safe in the morning but every book and
paper in it was burnt up, and the gold and
silver melted together.
Hardly one safe out Of ten, exposed TO
the fire in the buildings, saved anything in
them. We noticed large number CON-
pletely destroyed with all their contents.
A number of sick persons were removed,
and not few of them ladies, in very deli
cate situations.
The only life lost, that we heard of, was
that of poor woman in Third street.
Amidst all the distress, there were those
around who added to the calamity by steal
ing. Among others, the Rev. Geo. s.
Holmes had about $500 stolen, which he
had gathered up, by great economy, on a
Methodist preachers salary. He also lost
large number of valuable manuscripts,
the labor of twenty years.
To show the rapidity of the fire we may
mention that a gentleman of our acquaint-
ance arrived at the American Hotel, about
one o'clock, and leaving his trunk walked
out to see the fire, which was then nearly
quarter Of mile off In short time he
returned and found the hotel in flames. He
lost his trunk, with nearly all his clothing
and papers, and a considerable sum of
money.
One reason of the rapidity with which
the fire spread, is to be found in the extra
ordinary dryness of the weather for two
weeks past. We have not had a shower
of rain in that time, with one trifling excep.
of the city, was as dry as finder.
Amidst all the horror, destruction and
confusion prevailing throughout the city,
there was no unmany fear or vain repin-
ings manifested. The sufferers bore their
calami,ies with manly 6rmness, and as soon
as they had unavaingly tried 10 save their
own property, they put forth their exer-
tons to save their neighbors. At one time.
when it was thought the whole city must
go, there was no wildness apparent-no
want of dignifed and manly bearing
, This conduct speaks volumes in praise OF
our citizens, and gives indications that their
in domitable energies are not to be crushed
The Insurance Offices, the Gazette says,
we believe are totally ruined. We learn
from a reliable source that the Fireman's
Insurance Office has lost s249OOO, and
will pay about 40 cents on the dollar. The
fire and Navigation Company have lost
100000, and will pay the whole amount.
The Penn Office we have heard nothing of
but believe it is ruined, and will pay only
a small per centage on the dollar. The
mutual Office, we understand, will pay all
risks-losses $65,OOO.
The losses of some individuals and houses
are enormous, ranging from $4,000 up to
100000. Thus, one firm of wholesale
grocers, the heaviest holders of sugar
molasses, &c, in the city, and also owners
of the building in which they did business
cannot have lost less than from $50 &c
100000. There is the Monongahela
House, also, which cost $2OO,OOO including
the furniture. In many instances mer.
chants not only lost stocks worth 100000
but also their dwelling houses and every
dollars worth of furniture and clothes they
possessed. Said one, have lost $4,000
and have but one dollar in the world.