The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-08-08
From the San Francisco Herald June : Z.
The Great Fire al San Francisco.

attempt calmly TO record this last and mos
terrible disaster 10 Gu. apparently doomet
city. We know not how TO sufficiently
collect our thoughts or our energies unde
this stunning blow. In little more thai
three hours, at least two-ihirds of th'
weathiest portion of the city have beer
consumed. The property of the heavies
houses in town-the hard earnings o
years of successful industry-have beer
swept away. Gloom and desolation hav,
settled on many a stout heart. Many
man in easy circumstances has beer
brought TO the verge of ruin. The com
mercial greatness of this fair city has re
ceived shock from which it will not re
cover for many month to come. 1t i.
the will OF God-we bow with humility to
this awful dispensation of an all-wise
| Providence.
The fire originated in a back building
attached to the Sacramento House, be-
tween Sacramento and Clay streets.
occurred little before 8 o'clock A. M :.
and as the wind was high at the time, il
communicated quickly 10 the adjoining
buildings. When we arrived at the scene
of conhagratlon, the flames were moving
in an immense volume from the direction
of Sacramento street TO the corner of Mont
gomery and Clay. The Mayor and all
the principal citizens were promptly on
the ground. but the supply of water being
limited, no effort was of any avail to arrest
It's progress short of Clay street. Here a
determined stand was made, but notwIth-
standing the most active and ceaseles ex-
ertions, the flames spread 10 the north side,
and extended as far as Mr.. Naglee's unfn-
ished building on Montgomery street,
The banking house of Mr.. James King,
of VIM, was torn down, and this enabled
the citizens to arrest the progress of the fire
at this point. Mr.. Naglee's loss was COM
parahvely trifiing.
Meantime the wind carried the flames
down with resistless fury to the water s
edge, sweeping in its progress the whole
of the blocks from Clay street on the north
to the north side of California street inclu-
sive, and from Kearney street, with but
the exception of few houses, to the wa
ter. 1t is owing to the noble and manly
exertions af Gregory Yae, Esq, assisted
by several citizens, that the shipping in the
harbor was saved from destruction. Mr..
Yale was deputed by the Mayor to pro-
ceed to this poin: and to use all means ne
cessary to arrest the progress of the con-
fagratlon. He remained until he was
pressed so hard by the flames that he was
obliged to escape in boat.
If any man more particularly than all
others deserves the thanks of the commu-
nifty, it is Col. Jack Hays. We know no
terms of commentator sufficiently strong
TO express our admiration of the conduct
of this gallant officer. But for his noble
exertions the whole Of the block bounded
by the north side of Clay street, and from
Montgomery street to the water, would
have been sacrificed. He formed line
from the Artesian well in the building
known as the Pacific Baths, in Montgom-
cry street, to Clay street, and by the most
uniiring efforts kept the fire al bay. Sew
eral times he was obliged to descend from
the ladder, reeling under the scorching heat;
but even after the fire had been partially
subdued, he renamed on guard till o.
clock in the afternoon.
The clearinghouse of Burgoyne & Co.
is again unscathed by the fames-being
the third time this establishment has pass
ed the fiery ordeal. The community have
begun TO regard it as sort of salamander
concern that cannot be burned up. While
the conf1agration was raging most fiercely
the neighoring bankers, the collector of
customs, and many of our principal mer-
chants deposited their large amounts of
treasure. Connected with the building is
a powerful force pump with hose, by
means of which water was conducted to
some of the nelghboring buildings; which
rendered very great service.
The entire loss is estimated at from three
to four millions of dollars.
1t is worthy of note that vast amount
of property was saved by constant supply
of water from the artesian well belonging
to the Pacific Baths in Montgomery street.
The proprietoIs of this establishment are
entitled TO warm praise. Their house was
thrown open to refresh the exhausted IA
bors al the fire, and with the readiest gen.
erosity they volunteered the use of theil
inexhaustible supply OF water. The whole
block on which our Office stands was savet
| by this artisan WE'LL
We deeply regret TO learn that the pro
prietors of the Journal Of Commerce ar
severe loosers by the fire. They saves
nothing but the forms and small quantit,
of their type besides.
Our own loss is comparatively trifiini
We have lost none of our property by tn
fire, having by the aid of the best friend
ever any establishment had, succeeded i
saving our building.
= The Cauada'S News