The true Democrat., 1854-07-26
Great COnflagration in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, June GA terrible fire last night broke out about 10 o'clock at the National Theatre, Chestnut street, opposite Girard hotel, burning nearly the whole block, bounded by Chestnut and George streets, and English and Ninth streets. The great museum building, containing two of the largest and most elegant saloons in the country, was totally destroyed Seven large dwellings on George street, Waverly hotel, Bell tavern Geo. Fishers tailor store. O. C. Nicholson's dry goods store, S. H. Scholls eating house, on Eighth, were burnt. On Chest nut street the fire extended east consuming the following first class stores containing stocks of immense value. They were occupied by J. A. Place, Mo- 2l8, dry goods; J. S. Earle, No. 216, picture dealer and frame maker, and the second floor by .Boddee & Co.'S. hardware; Thos. Evans & Co.,, 214, dry goods; R. & w. Frayzer No. PIP, dry goods on the first floor; and Mrs. Burk's millinery establishment; Nos 21O and POS oc- cupied partly by the Art Union gallery, and by C. F. Meeser, picture dealer and frame maker, and by Bontelier & Bros.; Milkens linen store; 2O6, Clinton; 2O4 fancy goods; Everetts jewell ry store; 2O2, Wm s. Mason, Engraver; 200, l.. Ladiner's jewelly store; Hoaker's bookseller at the corner of Eighth and Chestnut streets, were more or less damaged about the roof.
 The museum and the theatre belonged to Isaac $. Parker, of Burlington, who is said not to be insured Their destruction is total. The fire ragged until near daylight, burning of the roofs of seven dwellings on Sansom street. The museum walls have partly fallen and will have to be entirely demolished. The damage to the Glrard hotel, opposite the theatre is not serious and the proprietors are already prepared to resume operations.
 The following stores, in the basement of the theatre, were consumed: Wm. Young's tobacco store and drinking saloon, loss 2,5OO, insured; J. A. 5. Shaw, toy dealer loss $1 800, insured; J. M. Wilson's book store, loss S12,OOO; c. F. Ameler, mathematical instruments, loss not known; A. L. Vanzant's confectionery, loss $l,5OO; Chas. Gennerett's jewelry store, stock mostly saved. Adjoining the theatre, on the east, dry goods store in Elizabeth place, first floor, loss heavy, and but little saved no insur- ance; on second floor Mr. Supplies childrens' clothing store, loss $6,OOO, partly insured; Evans extensive dry goods store, stock mostly destroyed, loss very heavy; James S. Earls picture store, loss 5000, insured; theatre va lued at S0o,OOO, no insurance. The splendid museum building, containing two saloons, 238 by 70 feet, generally regarded amongst the largest and most elegant in the country, loss about S7OOOO, no insurance. The theatre was owned by Isaac B. Parker, of Burlington.
 The damage to the Girard house and furni- ture Is estimated at $lO,OOO, fully insured.
 Cellars in the museum building, stored with large quantities of liquors, ale, brown stout, whisky, groceries hams, etc., belonging to Gray, White & Co.,, Roger Brown and others totally destroyed loss very heavy
 The above Is all the particulars, losses, etc., yet known. It Is impossible to estimate the loss, but 1t will not be short of $4OO,OOO.
 This morning, the body of R. A. Shepard one of the actors in the theatre, was found among the ruins, burnt to crisp. It appears that after escaping, he went back to recover his watch from his dressing -room-the last seen of him alive. The audience all escaped in safety.