Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-12-19
From the North Carolina star---Extra, 18th inst.
Drcn,.TuI Co.sfa zr affeI.

An important part of Raleigh is again laid in ash
es At about half past II o'clock last night opr
citizens aroused from their slumkers by the crv
of fire, which discovered in the shoe store of Mr.
Depkins, Fayetteville street below the build
ing of Mrs. Stuart, occupied by VIM. " White. Esq
as residence and Post Office. The fire had cauchbtt
in sleeping apartment. having been accdentaIIv
communicated to the bed clothing. and when i
awoke the hands, alarming to drive then,
out of the ROOM Had the pump the opposite side
of tie street been in good order, it could however
have been arrested as few buckets of water would
have extinguished it at once but. unfortunately
this not the case and the building was soon
wrapt in fame which spread so rapidly as to DEFY
all efforts to check it. until every house the SQUARE
south of it, except Mr.. HolIcmons brick store and
blacksmith shop. consumed. Mrs Stuart's DWELLING
and the post office. with the brick store and residence
of Mr. Frentress. also burnt down and the
progress Of the fire arrested by blowing up the
storehouse of Col. Roubac. second door above the
Post Office.
The buildings destroyed on Fayetteville street are,
the large brick building, property of Rch'd Smith
Esq. opposite the Apothecary store of Messrs
Williams, Haywood Co, occupied by Mr.. Creechs
Dry Good Store; Mr. Harding's Ready Made Cloth
ing Store; and the Telegraph and Mutual Insurance
Offices. The goods, furniture and effects of stores
and Offices were saved The original cost of build
ing the house was twelve or fourteen thousand dol
lars. Insured for $1,000.
The Saddle and Harness Establishment of Col c.
surance the building (wood) 5000 Loss 5000
to $500.
The confectionery store of Mr. Grfice-goods
saved. The building (wood) the property of MIR. J.
C. Powell. not insured-worth or S700
The shoe store Of Mr. Depkins Goods saved
House (wood) property of Mrs. Stewart, worth 600
or $500
Mrs Suarts dwelling, with post ofice-every-
thing in the house and Office saved. This wooden
building remarkable for having heretofore al
most miraculous escaped several fires. Loss at
least $4,000 No insurance.
Mr.. Fentress' brick store and dwelling insured
for or $4,000. Loss 200 to $4,000 Furniture and
goods saved.
Col Roulhac's store blown up-goods saved.
On Target street. five small frame buildings occu-
pied grocery and liquor establishments were con-
sumed. as follows Occupied by Mr.. Croker, pro-
perty of Richard Smith by Mr.. Dudley Occupant
and owner y Mr.. Womble occupant and owner y
Mr.. Adams, (R. Smith owner y NJ. L. Adams
Occupant and owner) Contents all saved-no in
surance-loss five six hundred dollars each,
say, in all s., 900.
On the back street. three brick tenements the pro-
perty of Richard Smith, and Mr.. Gil-loss about
$1,000.
Thus, in the space of two hours and half have at
least $4,000 worth Of property been destroyed by
the devouring element. All for the want of water!
for the want of water
The fire might easily have been arrested at seve-
raj points, if there had been and suitable en-
ginc!
VIII this not be sufficient lesson to induce our
citizens to provide water and engines for future
emergencies! 1t should be done, and no time should
be lost in doing it.