Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-01-25
Great ConAagration in New Orleans!
81. Charles Hotel and tvo Churches DESTROYED.

~. Ch0rIeS f1OleL ana tCO CHRTCHeS DesLTOyeu'
Since our last, a most destructive fire has occur
red in the city. 1t originated in the St. Charles
Hotel, from a defect in one of the chimneys, and
soon enveloped that magnificent building in a
sheet of flame. A strong wind prevailed at the
time, which blew showers of burning cinders a
long distance, setting fire to Mr.. Clapps Church
and the Methodist Church in Poydras street, both
of which We're destroyed, besides several valuable
private residences. and houses of business. There
are reports of lives being lost. In rejecting upon
this destruction of property, all other losses seem
| as nothing in comparison with the loss of the St.
| Charles, the pride of Louisiana. The Puayune
thus concludes hn article in reference to this Hotel,
anal to its enterprising and popular ~lessees, Messrs.
NUDGE g. Wilson:
A dismal picture, indeed, the site of the fallen
edifice presents. Only a few broken columns
and tottering walls, remaining above the base
ment, mark the spot where yesterday morning
a grand aud weil-ordered palace teemed with
life and luxury. Last night, huge piles of
smoking ruins lighted up by lurid fires, made
the spot d scene of CHASTITY desolation. The ho-
tel had been t%hroughly repaired, painted and
refurnished during the past summer, at the COM
mencement of a new lease. The lessees had
made very large expenditures, aud had every
reason to expect a prosperous season. In one
day their hopes are blasted and their property
reduced to ashes. They must have brave
hearts and syInpathizing friends to enable them
to stand up under such a blow. We believe they |
have courage, enterprise and the public feeling
with them.
To find a substitute for the ST. Charlie Hotel,
present accommodations of the city, is
not 70. be expected. We have fine hotels, indeed,
but their number and size are limited; but we do
not donbt that great efforts will be Immediately
made to furnish accommodations for strangers
as they arrive, and make them comfortable at
least.
The proprietors of the st. Charles, in antici-
patton of an increased demand for rooms, had,
! day OF two since, engaged temporarily the st.
Louis Hotel, which has not been occupied this
season, and we're making preparations to employ
t as an auxiliary establishment connected with
he ST. Charles. This will put it in their power,
liter a brief period, to give temporary accommo-
to a considerable number Of guests; and
they succeed in etfecting a permanent
hey will, make that house what it is capable of
llduC-A usoS~ftttC i2OtSis lAuuSC ~ WIN
are not men likely to be cast down by one
however great.
Forthe future, we say at once, the st. Charles
Iotel must be rebuilt. There will be no nays,
nd should be no doubts, upon this point. Itbe-
ongs, indeed, to a company, and the insurance t
but a small part Of the value OF the building. t
et them take new stockholders for the sum t
The ground is there, and the founda- |
ions-which cost such a prodigious sum to lay {
efore-are all well laid. We do not pretend c
. make even a guess of the amount required; q
it will certainly be very much less than the c
ost Of the old building, and for an investment,
these circumstances, it must be valuable. 4
t all events, as a public want, it must be sup Q
|ied-and il viii Be supplied. We say again, +
t the st. Charles be rebuilt rs soon AZ practi- Q
'ble, and the whole city viii say so too-and
its help too. a