Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-06-27
The Sam Francisco Fire.

We had hoped that perhaps there might be some
mistake about the great fire in San Francisco, but
unfortunately it seems to be only too true. The
Crescent City, which arrived at New York on the
18th instant, brings corroborating that brought
to New Orleans by the Alabama. AS usual in such
cases. the first accounts have somewhat exaggerated
the amount of loss. Instead of $15,OOO00O the AL
ia Californian estimates the loss at 100000 which
will, perhaps be found to exceed the truth
The fire broke out on the night of May Sd, and
ragged during the 4th the anniversary of the great
fire of last year. It commenced in a paint shop on
the West side of Portsmouth square, and all the sur
rounding buildings being wooden structures, it
spread with fearful rapidity and had full COM
mand As our readers as we'll as ourselves are I'M
acquainted with the locations of the streets
in San Francisco, we omit the account of the pro-
gress of the fire given by the Alta California. From
a diagram of the burnt district it would seem to
have swept about eighteen large squares of build
ings and large portions of five six Others compri
sing distance of over mile Northeast and South
west and half a mile from Northwest to Southeast
The plank streets ruined. and in many places
entirely impossible, except foot. Comparatively
very little damage was done to the shipping Very
few of the freproof buildings stood the test. The
number of buildings destroyed by the fire is estma-
ted at one thousand
/ One firm, DEWITT & HARRISON in lieu of water
used $4,000 gallons of vinegar in preserving their
warehouse. It was entirely saved. ADAMS & Co.'S
express Office was burned, but they succeeded in sa-
wing their papers and valuables. The Pacific Mail
Steamship Company also saved their books and pa
pers During the progress of the fire. eight men lost
n IN
A. J. CosT, naval officer, Mr. BRowN, appraiser,
Mr. GREEN, collector, and number of others in the
naval department, had all their private effects de-
stroyed- The books and papers of the department
were nearly all saved. The money was placed in
the vault. The large U. S. bonded warehouse erect
ed by Cross & Co., containing about two thousand
tons of merchandise in bond was saved throug the
exertions of Mr.. ANDERSON, the inspector. When
bURGoYNE's safe was opened, S1500,O00 was taken
out not snged or damaged in the least The books
and all the papers, deposits, &c. came out fresh and
tree from the least blen1ish
The whole city is alive with workmen engaged in
rebuilding upon the burnt district The Alta Cali
fornla gives the following astonishing instance of
the recuperative energy of San Francisco
From Monday, 9Th instant, when the ceased up to
the present time, May H. interval of days. 357 build
tngs haze been commenced ,c the major par are finish
ed and occupied This is exclusive of the manv that are
gong up In other parts of the city touched by the fire.
Including them the total number houses Just completed
or IN the course of erection throughout the city, will not fall
short OF 450 OF course from the rapdity with which thew
have been put most of them Frame but STILL in eyery
instance IN which brick building burnt either walls
still standing will be used in rebuilding where they are
unfit, new brick freproof building will be erected in the
place of the one destroyed
This extreme rapidity of construction, however.
demonstrates the faglity of most of the edifces in
San Francisco, and accounts for the frequent recur
renee and destructive character of the fires which
have devastated that place.
The losses by the fire will be felt very seriously in
the Atlantic cities, where most of the cantal was
owned. Several failures expected in Wall street
ana one or two have already occurred in PhiadeI-
phia among shippers of goods to California. who
have lost their whole adventure by the fire. Private
letters received at New York. convey the impression
that the loss has been very much exaggerated
They think the goods and merchandise DESTROYED
could all be replaced for million of dollars. and
the buildings for two millions or less So that be-
tween two and three millions will cover the entire
actual loss by the fire. 1t is possible that the New
York morning papers are endeavoring to make the
losses lighter than they actually are in order to en-
able those who suffer by the destruction of their
agents storehouses there to struggle through their
difficulties Boston is heavy loser, as there are We
ry many Boston merchants and agencies in San
Francisco.
Fire a Stockton.
Hardly had the smoke cleared up from the ruins of San
Francisco intelligence received of the destruction of
large portion of the city of Stockton This event occurred
in the night of the 14th of May.
The fire originated and beautiful house lust open-
ed under the of the Merchants Hotel formerly
the Branch and beyond doubt the of an in
cendiary 1t supposed that miscreant intended by
these diabocal to succeed in releasing the prisoners
confined in the county jail but the purpose failed its
as the winds proved nproptious and
the of the devastating element upon precious
and costly fuel to satisfy its long sumberng rage From
the point at which it originated the fire swept up Levee
street, Frustrating Montgomerys stately auction establish
ment the large and magnificent Ell Placer building the Ell
Dorado, Hotel de Mejico, Drs. Clements Renes drug
store, Dickinson House, and all the buildings those two
central From them spread Central
House, and in of hour from first alarm
the large three story building of Robb Stockton Journal
enveoped in flames The and printing materials
were saved, though in very damaged condition The oc
cupans of the Stockton Club Room succeeded in saving
their buildings, though they in imminent danger
Every mercantile house Levee street. except all on
Main street all Centre street all Ell Dorado street
except two and all Hunter street. three
the victims of this ncendiary attempt The loss by the
Stockton fire is estimated at million and half.
Summary Of Events. =.
The aurerous quartz mines being rapidly developed
They have been disco vered in all parts of the State