The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-12-23
NUMBER g

were on the spot with their usual alacrity, but
it was at once evident, the building being of such
| Il light and fimsey texture, that it could not 10
| saved. Thousands had congregatoG on the Pla-
"a, to witness the awful scene; and it was but
moment until the whole building was in one
roaring blaze, casting such IN intense light that
a sea ofupturned faces could be as easily dis
tinguished as on bright noon day. The flames
soon communicated to the building occupied by
DR.. White and family, and barely gave them
time 70 escape, with part Of their household
goods in damaged condition.
1t was then ascertained to be fixed fact.
that the neighborinP building, too must be des
troyed, and the inhabitants in that vicinity, in
hurry and confusion, commenced moving their
effects. The drays and wagons went Gathering
through the street at gallop; the engines and
hook and ladder companies, running to and fro
in every direction; the fremen shouting and
the bells ringing, the timbers cracking-all com
bined-made it a scene indescribable awful.
1t was thought, for long time, that the Union
building on the opposite side of the street
where the fire occurred, would be saved ana
long and nobly did our iremen battle against
the destroying element to protect it. But the
smoke became thicker and denser. until tbs
flames shot lurid glare through the roof, and
the fate of the Union, was sealed. The fine
billiard so(oon and bowling alleys were swept
away at a breath.
lThe correspondent Of the New York IT.
6uHe, mentions the following heartless conduct
connected with the Sacramento fire:
While the fire was raging four or five men
chartered steamboat and proceeded to this ci-
ty with a view of purchasing and monopolizino
all the lumber here, and all the provisions their
money and credit would enable them TO secure
They were landed in small boat from the stee-
mer OF North Beach, and she remained a few
miles out in the Bay, refusing to land anv other
passengers for several hours, until those had
time to accomplish thier uuholy purpose. The
steamer then came to the wharf and the news
of the fire became public. Lumber went m in
their hands, 10 four hundred dollars n tbousond
more than 500 per cent. Flour advanced to
Sl5, Pork to 500 and 80, and other Provisions
in proportion.
The Sacramento Union has the subiofped r.-
msrks in relation to the fire in that CITY
AT the time the fire broke out it seemed a. il
the elements had conspired for the destruction
Of the city. norther had just set in and wa.
blowing a stiff breeze from the Nortbwes,
which, after the fire commenced, increased al
most to gale The point where the fire start
ed, too, was the very one for sweeping the CITY.
and before ii had been burning five minutes II
became evident that Sacramento was doomed "a
destruction The fire companies were promptIv
on the spot; but in the face of such wind and
sea of fire, it was seen by all they were power
less. They exhausted the water within reach
but produced not one particle of effect on the
fire. 1t had obtained the mastery of man. and
his puny arm was as little felt by the rapinc
flames as it would have been If directed AGAINST
an ocean tempest. Men gathered in crowds
some looking on the waves of fire as they rolled
from house to house and street to street, bewild-
cred, fascinated and apparently paralyzed at
the terrible work Of destruction going on befor.
them, while others were Fastening to save their
goods and effects before the fire should reach
them.
Then commenced a scene or the streets which
beggars al description-uien, women. and chill
uren we're seen desperately engaged in efforts to
save something from the jaws OF the Ieyour;no
element. But in most instances their efforts
were fruitless, and hundreds who retired on
Tuesday night with the consciousness of having
plenty o. the comfort of life around them. were
standing the next morning on the place Ubera
Sacramento was, without one dollar in their
pockets, and with only the clothes they had on.
1t was an awful night, and God grant that we
may never be called to witness another such
sight.
The destruction of goods has been very be,-
w; the amount, as near as can be ascertained.
we publish IN another column. But there arc
hundreds who have lost their little all. from
whom the public win never hear. Had the fam
lilies Of one half of the business men been in tho
city, we hardly know what could have been dona
with them. AS it is, thousands are left house
less and homeless, and for two nights past have
slept under the wide canopy Of heaven many Of
them without knowing where they were to OBJ
tain bread to eat in the morning. Goods. fur
niture, &c, are scattered all over that norton
of the city north Of J-street and on the levee
their owners standing by them in the day time
and laying by them in the night, with not even
a canvass to cover them.
This, TO some extent may be remedied in .
few days, as the owners will be compelled TO re-
turn TO first principles and build tents cloth hou-
ses, as we done in i849. Surely terrible con-
iagratiOn in any other country than California
would destroy hope itself; but such is the Won
derful energy and recuperative power of the
people of California that misfortune only seems
10 strengthen their determination 10 60 ahead in
spite of them and as an evidence that this spir
it pervades the sufferers in this tempest of fire
we know of instances whore men had houses IN