Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-06-26
California Nems

oI May inclusive.
The intelligence Of the exte nsive fire
at San Francisco is too true il occur
red on the third of May. So destruc-
tive conhagra ton has not taken place
on this continent, nor elsewhere, we
presume, since the Great Fire in New
York on the 10th December, 1925. The
loss is estimated at $l2,00000O. The
city Of Stockton has also been the scene
OF confiagration, which has destroyed
about half the town, and property to the
estimated value OF $1,000, 900.
About the same time an Earthquake
was experienced in California more Sc
we're than often occurs in so high a
latitude. No damage, however, seems
to have been done, though the inhabi-
tants were much alarmed.
Business at San Francisco was en-
tirely deranged by the conhagration,
and the prices Of articles were consid-
erably enhanced.
The mail did not come by the Cres-
cent City, but was left for the Govern
ment steamer Cherokee.
The accounts from the gold mines
are favorable.
The particulars of the fire are given
by correspondent of The Journal OF
Commerce as follows -,Three.iourths
Of our beautiful city is destroyed by fire,
which broke out in small wooden
building on the South side of the Plaza
On the evening of Saturday, 81 May,
at IL o'clock at night, the cry Of "fre"
was sounded. | rushed out OF my room,
and when reached the spot the flames
were just issuing from the building 1.-TWO
stories high adjoining the old Ameri-
can Hotel. The flames spread with
fearful rapidty, and iol a short time,
the Post Office building was in great
danger. Soon the fire spread South
then East, then North, until nearlyi the
entire business part of the city was des::
troyed. Every newspaper office in the
city is burned, except the Alta Cailor-
mia. Every Banking house is PROSTATE
in the dust, excepting that of +. Argen-
Ii & CO., (the Prince of Bankers) and
the little brick building of James King
Wells & Co.'s large banking house was
entirely destroyed ; also, Bargoyne g.
Co., Page, Bacon & Co., Il. Davidson,
agent OF the Rothschilds. These bull
dings were all Of brick, and thought to
be fire proof The iron banking house
OF DR.. Baldwin is in ruins. Sather d.
Church, Bcebe, Ludlow & Co, ID. J.
Tallant & CO., and others are all burn
ed out. 1t will be much easier mat
ter to give the names of those merchants
and others whose stores and buildings
were not consumed, than those that
were destroyed.
The destruction Of property is GER
tainIy overwhelming, and cannot be
conte mplated without feelings Of extra
ordinary and overpowering emotion.-
Our supply Of goods (with few cxccp-
tions) is still large.
Perhaps dozen Ives have been lost.
At an hour Of greatest hope and buoy
ancy of spirits, thousands that were rich
and increased IN goods on the evening
of Saturday, May 2d, were, OH the dawn
of Sabbath morning, pcnniless and
houseless others badly burned, bruised
and injured il and not a few injured for
life.
1t is impossible to estimate with any
degree Of accuracy the immense value
of property destroyed by this terrible
disaster which has beiallen our city
and that too, on the very anniversary
day of the "big fire" one year since.
The loss in goods alone could not be
replaced short of five millions Of dollars;
and of buildings, certainly us much
more. -iourihs OF our merchants
have lost their stores, goods, and not n
few their all.
The building used for assaying U. s.
ingots, &c, by Motlatt & Humbert, was
totally consumed,-and il will be six
weeks before they will be able to resume
business. Consequently gold of Cali
iornia coinage is now selling by the
ounce at sl9, which is equal to about
10 per cent. discount
During the week past gold dust has
been abundant and selling at about 8 6
IA the ounce, which is decline, but
few Bankers having means at their com
mand 70 buy with besides the incon-
vcniences which many suffer Of being
burned out Currency ia becoming
quite scarce of A,c, 100000 IN silver
having been sent within few days to
Mexico.
Lots Of ground in goo d business locn-
tons say 20xi0 are selling to-day for
$1,000 to $4,000 each, which can be
rented out Immediately ior stores at
sS l-2to 10 per foot according TO their
location.