Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-23

Il rapidly advanced 10 Clay street, leaped that
spread past Merchant, Washington, and stopped Il
that portion of Jackson, on the North side, between
and Kearny Streets only because there
were no buildings to be consumed In the meantime,
while thus devastating the city in Norherly direction,
il was spreading South and East. In three hours from
origin the fire had enveoped the city from Pine to
Pacitic-trom Dupont to Battery. The sight was aw-
ful-grand beyond description. Nothing could stay
the course of the fierce destroyer for moment
The tireaen worked like heroes, at the peril of their
lives but their exertons utterly powerless. The
erce wind drove the flames like fiery surges from house
10 house; whatever they touched wthered and crum-
bed in an astonishing short time. Buildings with the
thckest walls and iron doors and shutters built with
special view to making them fire proof, formed no ex-
ception to the general desruction-they only DELAYED
but could not resist the fire. The plank streets
lire in every dection-severa OF the engines had to be
abandoned SO daring close had the tiremen approach
ed to the flames. The splendid brick buildings on
Montgomery street resisted the fierce onslaught for
time, but only for time. The flames if madden
tentold powerthey gained foothold and all lost
Burgoynes, Delmonicos, Genella's, Bolton and Bar
rons, the Picayune office, Page Bacon, and Co.'S, Tai
land and Wdes, Cooke and Lecounts, Traffic and Nc
CahilFs, all were burning at the same time
Out OF all the supposed fire proof buildings on Mont
King Of WINS Gregorys, the u. S. Assay Office, and
Gildemeeser, De Fremery & Co.'S
On Merchant street, all that remains the small store
Of Johnson & Canfisld saved by the exerons OF his
friends, Among the principal buildings burned are the
the Parker House, the Empire House, the Custom
House, Adelpha Theatre, Dramatic Museum, Bur-
goyne's, Demonco's, Bddlemans, Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company's buildings, the Revere House, Mer-
chants Exchange, the Mantle and Gen. Harrison store
ships OF those standing within the limits oil the fire,
besides the five already mentioned on Montgomery ST.
the California Exchange, the El Dorado, the We
randall, Cooke, Brothers e. Co, Jones' Hotel Macon.
drays two fine buildings, the brick building doiniug
across the alley MAYORS building California street,
the U. S. bonded warehouse, built by Gross g. Co.
The bounds OF the fire as follows: Commencing
on the south side of the Piazza, Clay street, ex-
tended down to Kearney along the side of Kear-
ney TO Jacksou; down the south side Of Jackson to
Montgomery; along the east side of Montgomery to
Pacific; down PACING to Sansome; across Sansome to
Broadway; at this point it took northeastery drcc-
ton to Vallejo thence across Battery to the Bay
After striking the Bay it followed its shores southery
along the west side Of Battery to Long Wharf, which
it burned down to Whitehall, thence along the west
side OF Battery to California; up California to Sansome
along Sansome to Pine up Pine to Montgomery along
along Kearneyto Sacremento up Sacramento to Dupont
along Dupont to Clay; thence down Clay to the place
OF beginning The burnt districts within these limits is
about e-fourths OF mile from north to SOUTH by
one third OF mile from east to west-ncluding eigh
teen entire squares, and parts of five six others
Besides the immense loss of property which is vari-
ousy estimated at from to $40 100000 but which
probably RACES between ten and twelve millions we
to record the melancholy fact that ten or twelve
individuals lost their lives. We have probably not vet
heard OF halt that were burnt ups but among them are
Odpt welsh, OF Baltimore, Edward McCahIll, Mr.
Greenbaum, and Mr.. Vincent. The following gentle
men were injured but none of them dangerously we
trust Capt. Howard. Mr.. Wells, James King, of VIM
Gen James Wilson, Myron Norton, Bernard Peyton,
and Mr.. Correo.
Many of these gentlemen received their injuries in
consequence ofstayng too long in buildings thew sup
posed hre-proof, and when they emerged thew were
compelled to ny tor their lives, often through the ercest
flames. Mr.. Peyton and others only saved them
selves by wrapping their blankets around them Sew
era poor fellows were seen rushing out into Montgome-
ry street, across which the flames raging; for
moment they advanced, then scorched and withered
by the fiery blast they fell to the earth again thew rose
staggered wildly and confusedly forward few PAGES
and fell never to rise again. This was seen bv thou.
sands who dared not advance step to their relief.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS.
DEATHS AT TAFFE & McCAHILLs-We were fur
nisned yesterday with the names of the six noble men
who were burned to death in their endeavors to save the
store of Tatfe Il McCahill from destruction Capt
Welsh was recovered from the ruins and buried yeser
day. The others are Messrs Edward McCahiI Leon
Greenabaum, Reuben Baker, Neusbaum and Rosen-
thai.
Custom HoUsE.-The books papers and specie of
the Custom House not thrown into the reservoirs
as it has been stated. They Were placed in the sub
santla vaults built under the direction of Collector
King for that purpose and yesterday they were found
to be entirely safe
The large u S. bonded warehouse, erected by Gross
q Co., containing about two thousand tons Of mer.
chandse in bond saved through the exertions of
Mr.. Anderson, the Inspector.
When Burgoyne's safe was opened 81 500 900 was
taken out not slnged or damaged in the least. The
books and all the papers, deposits &c. came out fresh
and free from the least bemish.
Among those in the late fire whose praseworthy eff.
forts IN relieving the property and effects of Others was
Capt. VIM. L.. Howard, late OF the IT, S. r. S., who
has been so seriously injured require close medi-
cal attention 10 relieve him from the effect of his ex.
posure to the late fire. Capt. Fl. breasted the DESTROY
ing element till the skin taken from his hands and
lace and no man deserves honour for dsinerested
action than he does
The brick safe OF the P M. S. S. COMPANY was
opened on Monday morning, and though filled with
books, papers and vauables every thing was found to
be in the most perfect condition. The office of the
Company will be continued in the same place in tenn
porsry building erecting.
Adams Il Co.'s EXPIRES Office in Montgomery street
nearly opposite the Custom House. shared the fate Of
the rest of the block in which Stood with the excep-
tons mentioned; but they succeeded, we understand in
saving their books, papers and valuabes in tireproof
vault.
Special Correspondence Of the N. Y Herald.
SAN FRANCISCO, May l5-4P.M
wrote you by the steamer Carolina, which left this
port on the 18th inst, with 1874 passengers She car
red no treasure. With that letter you will have re-
iu details OF the terrible conhagaton which oc-
CURED here on the night OF the 81 inst. and which
burned the greater portion of the business part of the
CITY, The list OF losses forwarded was as COMPLETE as
it was possible 10 make it.
The mail steamer Northerner, and the New Orleans
are about putting out into the bay. Both 90 loaded
with passengers, and Notwithstanding the confusion
consequent upon the recent calamity both carry near
iy the usual semi-monthy shipment of treasure The
two take aggregate OF about million and quar-
ter
The whole city was startled about 20 minutes past
O'Clock this morning, by low rumbling sound accom-
panied by the shaking and trembling Of the buildings
caused by severe shock OF an earthquake. Some of
the houses waved back and forth distance of one
tOnf knra INIT tho froI 49, 81, o;t,.