New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-25
n,sostrous Firc-Freight Depot in Ruins.


A flame was discovered bursting from the north
window of the cupalo of the Depot of the Mlchl-
gan Central Railroad Company by Capt. Nlblo
of the schooner Odd Fellow, lying at anchor lnthe
stream. at o'clock on the morning OF Tuesday,
Nov 10. The alarm was promptly given by ring
ing the depot bell which was answered by the
different Church bells promptly, and the lire de-
partment was on the spot with its usual alacrity
vet, Notwithstanding that the members made
every exerton to que the conAagration, their
efforts were entirely unavailng, the flames not
ceesing their havoc until everything combustbe
within and about the building was consumed, and
the cracked, naked and tottering walls alone were
left to tell the tale Of destruction.
a train OF freight cars occupied the center oil
the building at the time of the breaking out OF the
fire. loaded with merchandise for the West this
train was saved in part, ten double cars only,
with their freight, being burned. The freight in
these cars was destined for points West OF
Marshall, no freight for places East OF Marshan
being lost. The Michigan City freight was saved
as also portion of that for Battle Creek, Fales'
burcb. and one car load of freight Tor Nlles-the
remainder of that West of Marshall was Destroy
ed. Among the Battle Creek freight were three
kegs of powder which exploded during the IRE.
We were able to ascertain, with accuracy,
upon whom the several losses OF merchandise VIII
fall
The quantity Of -four in the Depot at the time
of the fire. was $4,000 bbls., and the quantity Of
wheat about $4,000 bushels, which was total
loss This wheat and flour belonged to different
individuals orwarders, buyers and others none
of any amount consigned to the Railroad Co.
was lost.
1t was almost impossible, in the confusion Of
the scene, to ascertain the names OF the sufferers
or the amount of their respective losses but we
give below such as were furnished Us by the otl-
GERS of the railroad, in answer to our inquiries j.
H. I4angdOn. of ermOnt, lost 400 bushels OF
wheat. Our worthy and entcrprlsiu5 fellow
citizen, Charles Howard Esq lost, as we were
sorry to learn, about six thousand bushels OF
wheat; Z. W. Backus, Esq. of this city, about
one thousand.
]. P. Mansfield of this city lost 500 bbls of flour
Dudgeon Lewis & Graves 400 bills g. Williams
4 Co "a bbls E. B. 4 S w ard lost portion Of
their paper.
Eli Chittenden of Vermont lost nearly 400 bbls
-four Harris * Co. of Worcester, Mass about
400 bbls; II S. HOLSTER of Parma, Mich. 300
bbls and w. II. Whitcomb & Co. of this city
very small amount of -four.
In addition to the above, there were eight hun
dred bbs -four destroyed which had just arrived
from Niles
j Hurd, Esq lost 1000 bushels of corn, but we
understand that he was partly or wholly insured :;
ii So it was the only property lost known to have
been insured.
The Freight Depot was entirely new, having
been erected in l349, in the most permanent and
substantial manner and was goo feet in length by
100 feet III width. 1t was Of brick, standing upon
piles, and cost originally, we are informed, about
$4,000 The foundation is not materially injured,
and il can be rebuilt, probably for 100000. The
entire loss of the Company will not exceed, If 1t
reaches, $4,000, upon which there is, however,
no insurance. The books and papers OF the Com.
pany were mostly saved, by the Promptn5esss and
iorethought OF the gentlemen employed about the
Office, assisted by the tiremen and citizens.
twill be rebuilt without delay, and in the mean
time the business OF the road will proceed usual
The entire loss of property Is estimated at
sl50,000