Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-09
Destructive Fire in BOSTON.

AT about IL o'clock, on Wednesday even
ing, a fire broke out in the third story Of the
extensive piano forte establishment Of Jonas
Chickerng, on Washington street. and
spreading with great rapidly soon laid that
large building in ruins, as well as several of
the adjoining ones.
The building occupied by MIR. Chickering
was owned by himself, having been built
by him for the purpose of manufacturing
pianos, and was fitted up with every con-
venience for his business without regard 10
expense. Ii covered large extent Of
ground, and was valued at from $4,000 to
$4,000. II was insured rs follows: SlO,-
ooO at the Fremans office, and $4,000 al
Inc boylston, (of which $4,000 was re-in>
sureu at the American o6ice.)
lhere were in the building at the time
ABOUT ltO pianos, finished and unfinished, of
whIcn lour 10 the lower story were valued
al $1,000 each. There was also a large num-
Der OF patterns and mouds, which were very
valuable, and can with difficulty be replaced.
About one hundred persons were employed
in the. building, who have lost all their tools,
and some of them money and clothing
The average loss TO these workmen cannot
be less than 500 each, making a total of
$4,000. This is total loss, there being
no insurance.
There were also many other articles Of
value in the building, and the total loss in
stock was at least $4,000, on which there
Is insurance as follows; 900 at the Nep-
tune $4,000 at the Franklin SIS 600 at
the Cochituale; aud $4,000 at the Equit-
able office. 1t will thus be seen that Mr..
Chickering is not half covered BY insurance,
and is therefore very large loser by The de-
strucion OF properly, 10 which must be add
ed the loss OF time by the breaking up Of his
immense establishment, which will be very
severe, as ii cannot be put into good works
ing order again Tor ut least a year. The
workmen also, lose by being thrown out of
business, but we learn thar many Of them
have worked for considerable length Of
Time Tor Mr.. Chlckering, and have by their
industry placed themselves in such a posi-
! too as TO prevent them and their families
from suffering from such calamity Us the
present.
At the height of the fire the wall of the
burning buildings fell in different places,
crushing the smaller buildings in the neigh
boThood. A portion of The side wall on
Sweelser's court first fell, bur did no injury !;
but when The gable end of the wall on Nor
folk Place fell and destroyed the Blake
building, it also buried in ruins TWO watch
men who were in the building; one named
Alfred Turner, of the Centre Division, and
the other was Benjamin F. Foster, Of the
Boylslon Division. A large force was set to
work 10 clear out the ruins, in order TO res
cue the men if possible. Alter proceeding
in The work for some time, the voice OF Tur-
ner could be heard, and at length one Of his
arms was reached; but just as they were
about 10 extricate him, lie fell into the cellar.
At length after nearly three hours Of hard
work, MIR. Turner was taken from The ruins
in living state, and carried TO The Adams
House, where il was found that no bones
were broken, and it is hoped that lie will re-
cover. After remaining al the Adams
House for several hours, he was conveyed
to his home on litter, by his brother
Walchmen.
The body Of Mr.. Foster had not been
reached at IL o'clock, Thursday, though
men were steadily at work on the ruins. II,
is supposed he was instantly killed. He was
emp ioyed at The establishment Of Halleit &
Davis.
THE LATE FIRE. Workmen are busiy
engaged demolishing the walls al the scene
of the late disastrous fire Oh Washington
street, Boston. Mr.. Turner, the man who
was rescued from among The ruins, rested
quite well last night, and continues as COM
Portable as could be anticipated under bis
circumstances. The body of Benz. +. Eos
ter, the waiclrman who lost his life al the
fire, has been recovered. His funeral took
place yesterday.
The fire is supposed 10 have been caused
by an mcendiary. MIR. C's loss is estimated
as high as 100000.