The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-02
Later From calitornia--The Fire.

Our readers remember, beyond doubt,
that on the 4tli ol May, Of last year, San
francisco was visited with fire which dcs-
troyed the commercial portion Of the grow
ing city. This year, on the same day, rs
IL TO celebra the terrible anniversary, for
the nth time in two years throc-fourlhs of
the business part of tho city have been
again reduced to ashes.
Zen days after the fire from two hundred
and fifty to three hundred houses were re-
built. The energy of the people of San
francisco did not appear to be at all de-
pressed by this cruel blow. The Alta Cali
tornia calls on tho people to take courage
and. never. despair. In truth, business
seemed to be scarcely suspended in conse
quence Of the calamity. The merchants,
while awaiting the rebuilding Of their stores
attended the sale Of their goods in other
partsFofttho city.
Prices of merchandise, which were very
low before the fire, suddenly were quintu-
pied, and rents rose in the same proportion.
SiIhe house of BurgoYnc and Co. after tho
fire found $l,50O,CJO saie in their iron
chest, BIZ
The employees in tho custom house saw
ed all the funds that i, contained, amount
ing to million Of dollars, by throwing
them into n we'll.
Among the buildings destroyed were the
Custom House, Union Hotel, Parker House,
Adelphi Thestrc, the Dramatic Museum,
National Hotel, New World Hotel, City
Hotel, jDclmonico Hotel. Merchants En-
change, the Rose Building, American Ho-
tel, Revere House, the office Of the Steam
ship Company, &c.
The fire at Stockton, taking the relative
size OF the place into consideration, was
quite as disastrous as that Of San Francisco.
1t took place OH the 5,h Of May, and com
menced III large and magnificent now
building known MS the Merchants Hotel.
q 1t is supposed that it was the work oil
some malefactor, who wished 10 aid the
escope of the criminals in the prison, which
adIoins the Merchants Hotel. The wind
however, carried the flames in contrary
direction, so that the object of the inccndia.
rics was not achieved All the business
houses on the Levee, cXcep, six, all Main
street. all Centre street, all the houses in
Ell Dorado street, except two and all the
buildings in Hunter Street, except three,
Tell prey 10 the dcvouring element.
The list OF sufferers by the dreadful fire
in San Francisco fills six columns of tho
Alta Californian. and even in this is not
complete. Very few business houses
ed destruction.
Ithad been said that the fire in San
Francisco was caused by The negligence
OF the people in the paint shop; but the
owners, AIessrs. Baker and Mcsserve
have published card in which they de-
clare. that there was no light in their house
which could have originated the fire. I,
was, therefore, generally believed that this
tlre was also caused by dastpn
At the time when the people were abou,
to lynch Stuart and Mildred, two months
ago, the Australian convicts, who infes,
tho city, had lormeda plan to take revenge
by burning San Franci CO They had 4
ship ready in port to transport hem ond
their plunder from the place, after putting
their plan in operation. Fotuna'civ. this
diaboiical project came 10 The lnowearc o
the police in time to frusrateit.
It's also stated, ihaf atfaw days before
lhs tire, person went 10 sa-,.,etlh haut a
si Ffaeisco n,,d' ;tod I'M that i no ma
any goods he wanted to preserve he had
better send them out OF the city, as on the
Il night Of The 3D. of May there would be a
great fire, to celebrate the anniversary OF
The conflagralion of last year.-N. o. True
Delta, 18th inst,