The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-02-02
From the Burlington HaUkeys.
DISASTROUS FIRE AT BURLINGTON.

A very disastrous FIRE occurred in our city
on Sabbath morning, consuming the entire bull
ding occupied by Mr.. Moore, on Main Street,
between Jefferson and Washington Streets,
known generally as Dr. Z. loves building -
When the alarm was given, smoke was seen
breaking out from the windows in the Western
part of the building and in very short time
flames burst forth through the windows both IN
rear and front of the house on the second hoor
Soon the street in front of the house was
one dense mass of human beings who made every
effort to enter the building from the ground, but
it proved utterly impracticable, as the flames
were rolling in dense columns above and ciack-
ing like forest on fire, while the noise of the
vast multitude in their anxiety to check
If possible the rage of the fire, to save the bull
ding or prevent contiguous ones heightened the
scene Ladders were brought and the roofs of
the adjoining buildings were mounted with
men who exposed themselves to the devouring
element with courage worthy OF all common
dation, in watering the roots and using every
means to prevent them from taking fire.
The flames soon made lis way from the first floor
to the second, which was the Office of A. d.
Green, ESQ.,, and up through the second floor in
to the room IN which was the Cabinet of curl
osities and many very valuable papers, valuable
from their antiquity, and other articles, relics OF
the olden time, consuming all. Much anxiety
was felt by the whole multitude as the flames
burst up through the roof, for the safety of DR.
Loves new building, as volumes of flames rolled
up, over topping it and almost wrapping those
who stood upon the roof watering it and extin-
gushing the sparks and Goals thrown upon it by
the projectise force of the flames; but the tin
roofing was proof against its assaults, and in
short period the roof of the burning building fell
crashing to the ground and relieving the minds
of those who stood choking CONSERVATION" for
the fate of the new building, but with the falling
roof the fears of the crowd for its safety subsi-
died. This has been the most disasterous conha-
grafton that has ever happened in our city, con-
siderIng the small space to which it was con-
fined The first or ground floor contained one OF
the most extensive stocks of hardware and iron
ever brought to this place, the property OF Mr..
Moore, who came to our city about one year
SINCE The second floor, in part, was also occu-
pied as a stove ware room by Mr. Moore, and
the front part by A. ID. Green, Esq, as Law
Office Here was his library and all his papers,
the labor of years, many valuable documents
and other articles of important value to him in
his profession, all of which were entirely con-
sumed. The third story was one entire room
in which was stored some very rare geologic
specimens, fossil remains, and old ancient works
principally of historic character, which the
members ofthe Historical and Geological Society
had been at considerable labor and expense TO
procure from abroad, and was doubtless the best
collection of any in the whole West. In the
same room also was the large and valuable libra
nv Of Col Fitz Henry Warren, with all his man !
uscripts, all shared the same fate.
The loss by the fire to Mr. Moore was about
$4,000 which was covered only by policy of
$500. The building itself was insured to the
amount of 81 800, in the Burlington Fire and Ma
rine Insurance Co. This loss Of Messrs. Green |
and Warren, with that of the Cabinet of the His
torical and Geological Society, are what cannot
well be replaced. Mr.. Green, we were just now
on Saturday evening fortunately, de-
posted 5 500 in the care Of A. w. Carpenter
& Bro, which was all of his whole effects saved,
documents, room furniture and wearing apparel
all were lost This fire is only another admo-
milton to the citizens of Burlington TO procure
fire engines and appurtenances, to render them
secure to some extent from the ravages of fire.
A good engine, with the courage and determined
spirit manifested yesterday morning, would have
checked the flames in one half hour. We have
had warning upon warning, by series of des-
tructive fires but still it has not had that aten-
ton, nor ELECTED that interest which It's impor
lance deserves; other enterprises have been ori-
glnated and received the liberality of our public
while this one which is of much greater para
mount value, has not received that consideration
which it should