The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-27

lFrom the San Francisco Herald, June 1871
Stu .anoiher Confagration--O Three Hundred
Houses Burnf--yhore than Three Millions of Pro-
perty Destroyed. @ #
We have scarcely courage or spirit TO nttempt
calmly to record this last and most terrible disas
ter to our apparently doomed city. We know
not how to sufficiently collect our thoughts or our
energies under this stunning blow. In little more
than three hours, at least two-thirds Of the weahi-
est portion of the city have been consumed The
property of the heaviest houses in town-the hard
earnings of years of successful industry--haye
been swept away. Gloom and desolation has set
tied on many stout heart Many man in easy
circumstances has been brought to the verge Of
ruin. The commercial greatness of this fair city
has received shock from which it will not re-
cover for many month to come. 1t is the will of
God-we bow with humility to this awful dispen-
sation Of an all-wise providence.
The fire originated in back building attached
to the Sacramento House, between Sacramento
and Clay streets. 1t commenced little beforeS
o'clock, a, M, and as the wind was high at the
time, il communicated quickly with the adjoining
buildings. When we arrived at the scene Of con-
aagration, the flames were roaring in an immense
volume from the direction Of Sacramento street to
the corner Of Montgomery 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 its progress short
.of Clay street. Here determined stand was
made, but Notwithstanding the most active and
ceaseess exertlons, the flames spread to the north
side, and extended as far as Mr.. Naglee's unin-
ished building on Montgomery street. The bank
ing house Of Mr.. James King, of William. was
torn down, and this enabled the citizens to arrest
the progress OF the fire at this point. Mr.. Ma
glee's loss was comparatively trifing 8ts
Meantime the wind carried the flames down
with resstless fury to the waters edge, sweeping
in its progress the whole Of the blocks from CLAW
street on the north to the north side Of California
street inclusive, and from Kearney street, with
but the exception of a few houses, to the water.
It's owing to the noble and manly exertions of
Gregory Yale, esq, assisted by several citizens,
that the shipping in the harbor was saved from
destruction. Mr.. Yale was deputed by the Mayor
to proceed to this point and to use all means
necessary to arrest the progress Of the confagra-
ton. He remained until he was pressed so hard
by the flames, that he was obliged to escape in q
boat. ~ tr.f.f
II would be impossible, so extended was the
scene Of action, partcularize half of those gen.
tlemen who exerted themselves to stay the con-
aagration. Mr.. Kohler, Mr.. Broderick, Mr.
Meiggs and others acted as they always act on
such occasions, with cool courage and determine
ton. @
II any man more particularly than all others
deserves the thanks Of the community, it is Col
Jack Hays. We know no terms of commenda-
ton sufficiently strong to express admiration
of the conduct Of this gallant officer But for his
OOu00e0
by the north side Of Clay street, and from Mont
gomery street to the water, would have been
sacrificed He formed line from the Artes;an
well in the building known as the Pacific Baths,
in Montgomery street, TO Clay street, and by the
most untiring efforts kept the FIRE at bay Several
times he was Obliged to descend from the ladder
reeling under the searching heat; but, even after
the fire had been partially subdued, he remained
on guard till o'clock in the afternoon. gI
The banking -house Of Burgoyne & Co. is again
unscathed by the Aames--being the third time this
has passed the fearful ordeal The
community have begun to regard it as sort Of
Salamander concern that cannot be burned up.
While the conAagration was raging most fercey,
the neighboring bankers, the collector Of customs,
ana many of our principal merchants, deposited
their large amounts of treasure, Connected with
this building is powerful force-pumP with hose,
by means Of which wafer was conducted TO some
Of the neighboring buildings which rendered very
great service
The entire loss is estimated at from three to four
million Of dollars
NJ. O. A.