The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-21

in most cases baye nothing but their walls
standing. Scarce hre-proof building Ia the
whole burnt district has stood the test. Such
a. have, are the California Exchange, III
Dorado, Verandab, on Portsmouth square, and
the buildings of Capt. Howard, in which was
the IT, 3. Assayins Office Of Mofat d. Co, on
Montgomery street This building was saved
only ut the risk of their lives, by Messers,
MoffaL Perry a. Ward OF that firm, who re-
NAMED within the building throughout the con
migration, and extinguished the fire repeatedly.
The fire has now (haf-past five,) reached
Pacific street aud is rapidly spreading in that d.
rection towards CIark's Point
A man at haf-paAt o'clock on Jackson
street, between Kearny and Dupont street, shot
woman, and Immediately after shot himself,
wounding himself in the forehead. The woman
is dead the murderer was taken to the station
house.
A man was stabbed in Washington street
about two O'clock near the Jackson house.
But the most lanentable part of this sad story
is the loss Of human life. How many have lost
their lives cannot be known at present-per-
haps it never will be known how many; but
several are known to have lost their lives. The
following have been reported
About two o'clock a man on Washington
street, dropped dead from over exertion.
One man was taken out of the store of
Starkey, Jauon a. Co, about six o'clock this
morning, burned to a crisp.
Mr. Nudge was dangerously burned. lie,
with Messrs. James, Noyes, and Fort were for
four hours shut ZIP in the vault of the Neagle
buildings, which obey saved, but could not get
out.
We have experienced several severe confla :
gratons in this doomed city, but none of the n
can compare in extent and destruction of pro p
erty and life with this, which is still in progress
and all is the result Of care essness of some
one person in the paint ST. op Of Messrs. Baker
q Meserve, where the FIRE commenced.
From the Daily Alta California, May 5tH-
1t is impossible to give, in one or two num-
bers ofa paper, - the incidents Of The fire, but
we publish the following to-day, and may con-
tnue then hereafter:
The offic ers of tho custom house saved the
specie of the Office by casting it into well.
About $ l 100000 were say in this way.
A. J, Cost, naval officer, Mr.. Brown, apprai-
ser, Mr. Green, collector and number of Others
in tb nav j department, had all of their private
effects destroyed. The books and papers of the
department were nearly all saved. The money
was placed in the vault.
The bookkeeper of the Union hotel. Mr.. Viii
lard, was not lost, as reported yesterday morn
ing.
The large United States bonded warehouse,
erected by Cross d co., containing about two
thousand tons of merchandise in bond, was
saved through the exertions of Mr.. Ande rscn
the inspector.
Messrs. Wardwel Smith, and Toppar whc
were reported yesterday morning to have been
burned to DEATH are all alive.
General James Wilson, although severely
burned, is considered by his physician entirely
out of danger
The banking houses will all resume business
in the course of the week. The cards of some
of them will be found in another column.
When Burgoyne's safe was opened, s BOO
900 was taken out not singed or damaged in the
least The books and all the papers, deposits,
&c, came out fresh and free from the least
blemish This firm has stood the test Of fires
and panic, and now stand as firm, with the ex.
ception of the loss Of their building, as it did {
week ago. They will resume business iinmeai
atelv
| The fire-proof building of Gibbs g. Co, OF
Long wharf, was but slightly injured by thu
whirlwind of flames that surrounded it. A
great deal of judgment was shown in the man
agement of this building. Its escape from des
truction is uerful argument in favor of fire
proof buildings.
Cook d Lecount, booksellers, on Mo Mt
gomery street, lost their entire stock.
Wells a. Co.'S building was consumed, in COZ
sequence of goods being stored there, and tn
doors being left open leading to the upper sto
| res
We are happy to announce that Mr. b. Pey-
ton, reported by us yesterday, as having beer
burned to DEATH is alive and but slightly injured
Mr.. Thomas Cahill, also reported as burned
was injured but slightly. His brother Edward
is undoubtedly burned to death, having beer
seen last in his store, since which nothing hai
been heard of him.
| Messrs. Correa & Bahnsen were both badly
burned in their endeavors to save their building
Mr.. Argent has most literally formed at hi
own expense, patrol or guard to protect tn,
ruins of some of his neighbors. His own build
ing being entirely whole and in perfectly safe
condition, requires no other care.
A guard of thirty has been furnished by Capt
Hunter, of the revenue cutter Polk. They arc
stationed in the vicinity of the Custom-house.
Losses by the Great Fire in san Francisco
]. b. Bdeman two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, Simmonsfeld, Bach g. Co. one hundred
and fifty thousand, Friedenburg e. Moses sew.
enty-iive thousand, 0. G. Scovill g. Co. eight
thous and, Berthelot & Cronise thirty thousand
1 !