Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-27

Fire ut madtSous luofamSs
We are grieved to learn, that our sister city,
Madison. has been visited by most disastrous
The fire first commenced in the store
room occupied by Harvey Smith, in the basement
of the 1st Presbyterian Church. the centre, and
the most business part of the city, on "Wednesday
night the 18th inst The Courier remrrks, that 'ihe
fire could not be stayed, and in few minutes the
lurd flames burst through into the body of the church
above, and spreading through the whole building, soon
enveOped this large and costly structure, and in
hour left uothing but the towering, cracked and black
ened walls. The two store-rooms under the church
occupied by Harvey Smith, dealer in dry goods
and by Gillespie and Mcmillan, dealers in hardware
and queensware.
The editor of the Courier remarks:
When reached there, the church was in ruins,
and the flames had taken possession of the three-story
building adjoining the west occupied BY MesSrs.
Dutton & Adams book store, (hey had Just bought
out Mr. James McMilan,) who sustained considerable
loss IN the destruction Of bindery tools damage Of
books by hasty removal, &c. Here the flames were
stopped by good brick wall intervening between
them and the next tenement But on the eastern side
they spread with alarming rapidty. as also at the
rear OF the church, where stood the large twosory
chapel, and back of that frame dwelling, both Of
which were speedily consumed On the east, across
the alley, the IRE commenced IN two-story block, of
and dwelling by Mr. Geen, a tailor; the second. by
A. Liter confectioner the third, by d. S. Hudson,
silversmith; the fourth by ]. W. Hunter, halter.
These occupants were obliged to retreat with the
utmost precipancy. though they succeeded in rescu-
inc their goods The end of this block next the fire
entirely destroyed, and the whole roof and back
doors and window frames burnt out. Next to this
stands the large hreestory block Of stores extending
up Mulberry street, occupied successfully by William
Sapp, F. +. Corey, A. b. Smith, |. E. WhiPple, and
] I-...l = -
ment, fortunately saved, with but slight damage
/ TO the back part, some Of the doors and window
frames only being burnt; but imminent appeared
the danger, and little hope entertained Of saw
ing this block, that the occupants removed all their
goods.
In the of these rows of buildings were large
number OF frame houses of all sizes, through which
the flames rushed through subble field, and pass
ing on eastward, along the of the three-story
block above described they communicated to the back
part of the following buildings fronting on Mulberry
street; large three-story BRICK occupied by Mulvey
& Latterner, tailors another adjoining by William
Ford, as tailor shop and dwelling; the large frame
building owned and occupied by NJ. & E. Shannon, as
a tobacco and cigar store and mandatory frame
adjoining, occupied by w. Turk, gunsmith these
were utterly destroyed or consumed: large three
story brick ad Joining on the SOUTH occupied by J.
Marsh as a coffee house was saved by great exertion
the back part only being injured This embraces the
extent Of the fire; what the amount Of loss is we
have not heard, though it must be great The night
was, most Providentiay, calm had been otherwise
the best part of city must have been laid in ashes
The ladies deserve all praise for their noble efforts on
this occasion. We are told many, seeing men stand
ing about with hands in pockets, actually took stand
in the lines and passed the buckets; while these men,
to their shame be it spoken, instead of flying to their
relief only stood still and laughed at their patriotic
/ exertionsl
The scene in streets that night and next day,
was truly desolate; for some two squares, goods,
boxes, furniture, BEDS broken doors, signs, counters
and every variety of article belonging dwelling
store, were piled in large and prOmscuous heaps
scattered about the pavements where, amid the fright
and hurry of the night, bewildered multitude had
unthinkingly cast them but many having commenced
in tme enabled to deposit their goods safely in
distant houses.
p S. The principal sufferers by this disaster are,
H Smith, who lost all his goods, books, &C., Gillespie
g. Mcmillan, some 5000 in goods; Mrs. Mckee,
the building occupied by the book store; V. g. ]. King
large interest in the church and three of the houses
east of it ]. w. Hunter the house occupied by him;
]. Mulvey, his house On Mulberry st. and w. H.
Phillips. the house adjoining. NJ. g. E. Shannon lost
some $1,000 in building, tobacco and presses. We
are told that Mr. Muvey is the only person protected
by insurance.