Washington telegraph., 1853-02-09
From the Gazette and sDcBiorratl
CHEAT CONFLAGRATEO IN
LITTLE ROCK!
Post Office and Contents Destroy
cd--Six Houses Esurnt-Totai Loss
About $4,000.


papers for the Northern mail Lad been
worked ofi), fre'broke out in or adjoining
the p. 0. building, on the east side cf Il.
Main st., which, for more than an hour,
threatened the destruction Of the whole Of
the principal business houses in the vicinity
Of the corner of H. Main and Markham
streets Fortunately, however, gentle
breeze from the north, and the timely ar
rival and efficient service Of the Engine,
confined the devouring element to more
limited space than the most sanguine at first
anticipated. We have neither time nor
room 60 give more than hasty list Of the
property destroyed.
Ii was first discovered in the Post-office,
which was entirely destroyed, including
books, papers, letters for tie mails that 20
out Tomorrow morning-indeed, every thing
in the office at the time the fire was first dis
covered. The eastern mail (via White river y
and the Northern mail-both of which 90
out this morning-had previously left the
office
The Lodge room Of Far West Lodge No.
l, |. O. o f., was over the Post-office and
is wholly destroyed-including the books,
furniture, paraphernalia, &c. Of the Order
The Auction Store Of Thompson & Fi;z-
gerald, next door south Of the p o., is en-
tirely destroyed, together with some mon
ey.
a small building in the rear Of the p o.,
occupied by the family Of Mr.. Crawford, i
destroyed, with most Of the furniture and
some money.
4 small one-story frame, occupied BY Mr..
Henry Griffith grin-sinith, j. DESTROYED To-
gether with most Of his tools. &c. The fire
extended no further south than this building.
Next above (or north of) the Post-oflice.
were the shoc-stores Of Mr. Gill ana Mr.
kinnear-who, we believe, saved but little
Of their property.
The next house north, being tic 2-storv
double brick store house of Y. Il. B.drctt.
occupied by Dir. John Il. Robinson. and
Mr.. George A. Worthcn, was entirely d.
stroyed. The loss Of the latter, We are hap-
py to learn, is but triaing-hc having sue
ceedcd in removing most of his goods before
the fire reached liz premises. Mr Robin
sons loss, we are sorry to say. is very heavy
probably $4,000 or $4,000, on which
there was in insurance Of only $4,000. a
considerable portion of the goods in his store
were removed-but all in the % story were
destroyed. His books and papers saved.
The brick walls Of thc latter building
stayed the progress of the flames, in a north
crn direction--though tie frame buildings
belonging to the heirs Of the late Major
Brown Immediately above and only separ-
ated from It BY an open space Of 20 f.. we're
in imminent danger, until the fire subsided
in that building.
All the houses burnt, except Mr. Badc-
ett'a were frames and of the most cumbu-ti-
bic materials. The heat was very intense,
and the gables Of the brick store Of D. Bau.
man, and the frame stores belonging to Mr.
Jacob Rider, Oh the west side III H. Main
st., and occupied by Mr. S. Jaseph and
Mace Warren "a colOred man, were several
times on fire, and were almost given up a=
lost-and their destruction would inevitably
have been followed by all the valuable stores
on the same side OF tie street. But The
timely arrival of the Engine at that critical
moment saved them, as it had only few
moments before the 2-story brick dwelling
house belonging ~ the estate of thc latc Dr
a. Spraguc. which was several times on lrc.
The streets are full o: goods and furniture.
which have been removed from the buildings
destroyed. and those Tint were considered in
danger We have no means Of estimating
the loss, but think it cannot FIJI short 0.
$4,000 NJ $4,000, and possibly more.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed Oh
several gentlemen who were active in arrest
ing the progress nj the flames and i'll saving
goods, &c that were Id danger-but, We are
sorry 10 say that we saw large number
looking On rs mere spectators, and showing
no disposition to render any assistance what
ever.
All, we believe, acknowledge tIlat she
Engine was Of some use on this occasion,
and would probably have stayed the devour-
ing element much sooner, if there had been
any possibility Of procuring sufficient guam
ti,y Of water within q convenient distance
May we not hope that our city authorities,
as we'll as our citizens, will give the Fire
Company hclping-hand, BY providing cir
terms to supply water in ease Of need! We
hope our appeal may not be in vain.
In our next We may give further particu-
lars Of this disastrous fire.
p. S. We have just learned, from Mr..
Robinson, that his loss will not exceed So,
600 or $1,000; and he requests a TO ten
der to his friends his sincere thanks for aid
ing him in saving his property.
In the House of Representatives, a few