New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-28
THE NEW-ORLEANS CONFEDERATION,
The ST. Charles Hotel In Ruins-Two Churcn-
cs Observation-Disclosures Loss Of Properly

ca Destroyed-Immense Loss Of Properly.
The Neuc. Orleans Plcayune of the 10Th brings
us detailed account of the great conhsgraton
in that city on the previous day. some acco1nts OF
which we have already received bytelegraph aud
published, from which we extract the folio wing
1t is with deep feeling OF gloom and despond-
ency that we undertake the task OF relating the
Incidents of the calamity which yesterday over
whelmed our city. We believe that this ieeling
is shared in by all who have at heart the welfare
of New. Orleans. A conhagration OF tue nature
of that we witnessed yesterday, coming on as so
suddenly, spreading rapidly, choosing Tor ITS
prey some of the statelest editces we boast o.
NAV well weigh down the stoutest heart, unnerVe
the most courageous spirit, and touch even the
most Indifferent spectator and stranger. 1t all
seems now like terrible dream-lke some mag
nificent but appalling panorama
The St Charles Hotel was FIST discovered 10 Do
on fire at IL O'Clock yesterday forenoon. ongnt
curls of smoke issued from the north or lett hand
wing of the building, over the ladies' department,
near the portco, between the front caves % .h
-oof In a ia " minutes the smoke poured from the
caves all around the front portco. Asthls was so
much in advance of the main building, 1t was at
first thought that the smouldering lire could be
easily conquered To this purpose the lremen
being speedily on the ground hose were drawn by
means of ropes directly from the street up TO the
ton of the portico, ladders raised, holes knocked
in the roof water poured in while other hose were
taken up the large central staircase running clear
TO the top of the hotel, and every exertlon made
to extinguish the fire. Ahigh wind, however, was
blowing from the north west, helping 20 drive the
fire into the building and under the rool, where IL
was difficult to reach 1t. ,
The dense volumes of smoke rolled 80 heavily
over the narrow and much exposed space where
the fremen stood on the rool, that tney were
hardly able to breathe or see, the fierce flames
burst forth all around them, beating them direct
ly into the hotel and they were finally forced To
retreat. In a few moments, the flames rusned
up the lofty dome aud the light airy cupola the
upper passages aud rooms filled with dense,
sitting smoke the flames burst forth from the
roof OF the main building on either side OF the
portico and came out of the upper windows
then all hope of saving the magnificent edlfce
was abandoned; and the immense crowd In the
streets in short time, saw the entire structure,
five stories high, with dome and cupola domlneer-
ing high above all cOmpeers in the city, from front
10 rear, on ST. Charles, Gravier, and COmmon'sts.
enveoped in one broad, glaring sheet OF fierce
flame. rising from the very ground hoor, while
the vast interior seemed one raging blazing iur-
mace the whole grand, lofty structure looking
like a very mountain OF red fame. lt was
magnificent spectacle absorbing the senses Tx
ing the spectators gaze with species OF terrlt
ed admiration. $50
Evident signs of falling columns and crumbling
walls warned the dense crowd in front OF the hotel
in st. Charles.st. of their danger. Scarcely had
and other apparatus, before the heavy upper por-
ton of the arched cOrnce of the portico fell out
ward with heavy crash.
The great dome began TO totter-all eyes were
fixed on it, feeling of deep regret pervaded
the entire mass of gazers. For moment there
was pause, and nothing was heard but the roar
of the flames and the cracking timber. The next
instant, cupola and dome fell in, disappearing In
great cloud of smoke and fire that rushed up, while
a deafening crash stunned the ear The doom OF
the St. Charles was sealed
Presently the roof disappeared ratters crashed
down ia showers of sparks and smokei portions
of the interior walls followed the lofty walls IN
the rear and on Grayier-st broke off IN great
masses and went punging down, some inside
the building and others in the street. while at
each fall heavy laundering noise, and shoot OF
fame and sparks followed. Two OF the tall pill
lars in front soon came down in the street lt Is
useless 10 pursue the description further. The
flames continued to rage as iercely as ever, un'
iii toward o. clock, when all the timbers, beams,
everything in short in the hotel of an inhammable
nature bad fallen and been burned, leaving the
noble ediice completely dismantled, scorched
and blackened; the entire arch OF the portlco
gone the pillars cracked-their heads down,
mastering Off; here and there slender portions OF
the high walls still standing-a desoate wreck
and mass of blackened, smoking ruins. The wall
and part of the cOrnice on COmmon-st. and at the
corner of ST. Charles are still erect, hut cracked,
defaced and totterlng.
The strong wind blew showers Of burning EN-.
hers long distance, setting lire to the turrets oil
Mr.. CLAMPS Church, at the corner OF Gravier and
gt Charles SITS. 10 the Methodist Church at the
corner of Carondelet and Poydras SITS. TO various
frame buildings in Hevia ST. between Carondelet
and Baronne, in Carondelet, above and below He
via. and 10 many roofs in the rear and neighoor'
hood Of the hotel and churches
Despite the exertions ofthe tremen, Mr. ClapPs
church was. in less than an hour after it caught,
completeIy Quilted, leaving the bare walls. After
the engines had left it, and while great number
of Dersons were on the sidewalk In front, sne
SQUARE tower fell in, pushing the wall out, ana Tor
a moment il was feared that many persons were
killed Fortunately, that was not the case:
fireman. we are informed, had his arn broken.
The oreen.h house in the front yard OF the church,
at the corner OF Union and St. Charles SITS. and
tent.mskers shop at the Gravier st. corner were
destroyed. Many of the plants in the green house
were saved.
A few cushions in the Church were thrown into
the street. Nothing else was saved. The build
ing was not insured.
The long, low, one story brick building behind
Mr. ClaDp's Church, running from Gravier to U mon
sts and principally occupied by the Pelicsn
Coffee House, was burnt out leaving the walls
They were insured for 81 900 in the Crescent Mu,
pal Insurance Company Of this city Inc coz
office of J. Nimick was IN the GraylersI emo "
the building He saved bis books ana papers
The building was owned by Jacob Barker.
In this building on the Common,st 'front.' sua
second-story was the Office OF A Mlten"oieei
Co. They saved their books. papers &C.
In Common st the brick buho'"s ~ IoAs "
the hotel, occupied by Heho a;. SooL. n.na ~
1880 -. huilding barn 40 RAPIDLY A