The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-04-26
From the Pittsburgh Gazette of the 1lth.
THE GREAT FIRE AT PITTS.
BIIRGH.

From the Pittsburgh Gazette of the llth.
THE GREAT FIRE AT PITTS
BURGH.
We have thrown together. under dii
lerent heads, the principal incidents
with list of the chief sufferers, of thu
great and ever memorable fire of las
Thursday. Our readers can rely upor
the accuracy of our statements, anc
we assure them we have no whit exag
gerated. Many things that ought tc
be mentioned,are probably overlooked,
We have done the best We could under
the circumstances.
The effect Of this disaster on Tie busi.
ness and prosperity of Pittsburgh.
We have carefully inquired OF
many Of our clearest headed business
men, those most thoroughly convcrsant
with the resources Of the city, as TO the
probable effect Of this disaster upon its
prosperity, and coupled with our own
knowledge of the strength of the mer-
chants who were burnt out. the posi-
ton of their circumstances, &C., we
are fully convinced that, though the
commercial prospects of the city are
terribly shaken.yet it is not iotallypros-
hated, and in due time will rise above
it all. Our large manufactures are un-
touched; the onl y mills of any import
ance which are burnt being the Globe
Factory, which is the smallest in the
city; the Kensington Iron Works, and
Bakewell & Pears Glass Works. Va
rious other small establishments were
destroyed, but it is with great satisfac-
ton we announce that the great leading
branches are comparatively untouched,
and that business, so far as they are
concerned, will 60 on as usual.
As for our wholesale merchants IN
the grocery, queensware,and dry goods
branches, who were burnt, some num-
ber of them will commence forthwith.
Some are wholly ruined, many much
crippled, but we believe the majority
can 60 on as usual, and esterday they
were busy getting places OF business
anu offices.
1t is with heartfelt pleasure we OBJ
serve the fortitude with which they bear
their losses. There is no repining, no
despair, no sullenness; but a calm, de-
termined spirit which must carry them
up again. The effect will be to set US
back for moment, but we never had
more confidence in the strength and
spirit of our merchants to overcome i.
all in time. 1t must not be supposed
that all the business portions of the city
are consumed. Most of the dry goods
jobbers are untouched. So of the hard
ware merchants, and a number of the
heavy houses are out of the limits Of
the burnt district. And it fortunately
happens, too, that large amount of
groceries from the east for the city had
notarrived. Werepeat.t therefore, that,
though the city is terribly shaken, it is
neither ruined nor totally prostrated.
The appearance Of things.
Yesterday morning we walked around
the burnt district. The appearance of
things is awful; nothing but an immense
forest Of walls, and chimneys is visible,
and desolate heaps of brick and NOR
tar. The fierce fire licked every COM
bustible cleanup. Nothing that would
burn escaped. The wharf was cover
ed with merchandise of every descrip-
ton, furniture, &c., and many piles
which were rolled out, as it was thought
beyond the reach of the flames, were
Piles Of burnt and partial
y consumed coffee, sugar, nails, iron,
cotton, paper, tea, &C., &c., were scat
cred along it. Of the Monongahela
'idge, nothing remains but long line
If burnt timber across the river, between
he naked piers, all over the hills piles
If furniture, bedding, &c., are scat
cred. Along the streets the only val
abe things visible were safes which
he merchants took the precaution to
aul out of their stores, and it was
rudent foresight, inasmuch as many Of {
hem proved Of very little use. Among ;
ne ruins, crowds Of people from other
arts of the city and the country were
and gazing upon the scene. |
or ourselves, we, more than once I
'ere lost, and had to look around Tor c
ome well known land mark 10 fix the
'caity. !
Incidents Of the fire. {
A fireman had his face burned so raw /
lat the blood run from it. h
Mr.. Malcolm Leech was on the top
{ his warehouse looking at the re,and
ihen coming down, was injured pret- I
I severely by a fall. /
The only life lost. that we heard of. {