Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-23
The San Francisco Fire.

We publish farther details of the terrible confa-
grafton at San Francisco. Surely that city is
greater wonder than any of the famous seven of
ancient times. The world has never before seen
its like, either in destrucbility or powers of re-
susctaton. But although the accounts tell us
that in the burnt district" which is described as
being "over mile northeast and southwest, by
half mile northwest to southeast" some $50
houses were either rebuilt or commenced this
surprising exhibition of enterprise cannot dispel
the reflection that ruin Gin many instances hope
Less has been suddenly brought upon hundreds.
The list of firms and individuals who suffered loss
OF property fills three closely printed columns, and
the aggregate sacrifice is probably ten millions
Of dollars
Amongst the persons who received personal in
jury was Mr.. Bernard Peyton, a son of Gen. B.
Peyton Of this city. He was at first reported to
have lost his life, but we are happy to find in the
Alta California a later statement amt ancing that
he was but slightly injured, which is confirmed by
d letter from himself to his friends in Richmond.
Mr.. Peyton was in situation of the most mmi-
nent danger and only escaped with his life by dint
of remarkable intrepdity and presence of MIND.
Surprising his own office with its contents to be
fire-proof ne locked it up and repaired to one of
the Iargeiron buildings OF Mr.. Parrot. with whose
business he was connected. With five others, he
undertook to protect this building by closing the
doors and windows and throwing water (of which
they had very small supply upon such points
in the interior as :ght take fire from the external
heat. Soon, however, they ascertained that this
would be impossible. On going to a window from
which they expected to make their escape into the
street, they found it barricaded with piles of burn
ing goods Trying the iron door, they were I'M
able to open it because of its expansion. Mr..
Peyton bethonght him fortunately of throwing the
last bucket of water upon the heated iron and it
caused sufficient contraction to allow them to
knock up the bar, and open the door. The five
left the building and all saved their lives but one,
Mr.. Vincent. who fell in the street overwhem-
ed by the flames. Mr.. Pcyton remained in the
iron house for the purpose OF saving papers and
other vauables, but he found it impracticable. He
entered the street and ran some distance, but was
compelled by the mass of fire to return to the
building He made another effort in the rear
through an alley, but at the entrance of it into the
street was again forced to stop. Throwing him
self into basement room near by, he obtained
little air that could be breathed. He returned once
more to the iron building, determined to take the
slender chance ofits standing out the trial; but the
smoke and flame made it impossible to remain
there. Happily it occurred to him to secure a
blanket to protect his person against the flames he
would have to encounter. Having succeeded in
H., IL he aJo l.
way out by the alley into the rear street, and wrap
ping the blanket around his person, he dash
ed through the tapping flames until he reached a
place of safety. He was but slightly burnt.
In the adjoining house to that in which Mr..
Peyton and his five companions were in SO much
peril, seven men persisted, from their being unable
10 open the iron door.
From the San Fancisco Herald of May IL.
Our once fair city has bsen visited once more with
the scourge OF FIRE. Desolaon reigns around, and
heap OF ash, and smoudeing ruins cover the spot
where but few the proudest structures Stood
The fire commenced Saturday night, few NM
uies aier eleven, IN the upholstery blishment OF
Messrs. Baker & Mes rye on the South side OF the
Plaza. In a moment the combustible materials OF
which it was composed were a blaze. The alarm
III startled the citizens from their repo b and BROUGHT
the noble fifmen to the spot in few minutes I en-
minute had barely esp d before the Monumenals |
were playing upon the fire a steady sream But alas
10 no parposethe fam spread up Clay street carry
M ali be ore them until stopped by the lille alley at
fie side of Jacks q Brothers old store.
In the meantime they were running down toward |
Kearney str L. despite all The efforts OF the fremen-
The adobe building al the OF Clay and Kearney
streets was wrapped in flames. The hremen now de-
voted all lher attention 10 prevent the nre from Gro g
ing Kearnev str TO Hahn q Co.'s buld ng and the |
frame hons adjoining. This they succe -ded in do
ing but in tue meantime the fire ran down Keaaey
street, had cross it by communicating with the frame
seatFodine Of brick house Of erection al tie
corner Of Commercial street. aud dryirg before
the s.ronp NorIh-lves'eT that blowing straight |
through le block 10 Sacramento In hour
from the FIST outbreak the Stanford office Sacra-
mcato BRICK bu ding in which had been stored great
quantities Of goods. le topping 10 the ground.