The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-23

ment In st. Louis Loss 011O.OOO.
from the st Louis Republican, Jan Ill
On Sunday evening one Of the most disastrous
fires that has taken place in this city for some time
occurred in the northern part Of the city, destroy.
ing the large and commodious building situated on
the corner Of Broadway and Tyler streets and known
% Ashbro0k's pork house.
From the best Information We gather the fire orr
ginated in the tank ROOM lard rendering depart
ment On the night in question quantity Of hogs
heads and other offal thrown into the tanks as
their condition was not such as to justify keeping
them for the purpose Of rendering them into lard,
which is done by the introduction of steam.
short time after they had commenced, hue
cap of one Of the tanks exploded, and the contents
in liquid state, burst out and were fired by
OF the furnaces. The flames spread as might be ex
pected, with unusual rapidly, and in short time
the entire building in flames. The large amount
OF combustble matter stored in the cellars and on
TIE various floors was t subject for the destruc-
tive element, and the fire spread onward in its
course Of desolation. The books and papers were
with some difficulty saved, but all other efforts were
From all the information we can gather the num-
Der Of hogs cut and packed, including those
slaughtered the day previous which were in the house
AND consumed, is put down at twelve thousand, not
exceeding thirteen thousand at the farthest. The
greater portion of these stacked up and sailed
down in the cellars. A small number of them, which
were hanging up On the hooks, were taken out and
deposited in wooden building on the opposite side
OF the street, but 30 grea. was the heat that in
short time this building took fire and was partially
consumed and those that were saved were placed in
the street, many Of them considerably charred and
scorched.
There were only one thousand tierces and about
three or four hundred barrels Of lard in store,
although the impression at one time WAS that there
considerably over this amount. portion OF
the oigna amount had been sold and delivered, aud
3 small quantity Of what remained was sold but had
not been delivered In the effort to save the prop
erty several peasons losing their lives and
ole man had to jump nom the second story to the
street. rurhof prevailed yesterday morning that
one or two who had ventnred into the second story
had been suff0cated and burned. Upon dllgent in
quy we are led to believe this is without foundation
The stock saved Is comparatively small-about three
hundred tierces of lard and seventy five or eighty
tierees of hams, which were in the building at the
time
The building was one OF the largest of the kind in
the Western country, and was built with great care
and at cost Of about $780, 900. The machinery was
very complete, and embraced all the aud recent
improvements Yesterday morning the greater por.
ton Of the thick and heavy limestone walls had tum.
small suilding in the rear Of the Railroad Coffee
House Exchange was burned, and several buildings
on the west side Of the creek, known ~ Rocky
Rranch, were scorched by the flames.
When we visited the place yesterday morning the
grease distilled from the great bulk Of meat pour
irg through q sewer or outlet that led from the
building into the creek in q large stream.
The building belonged to Mr.. Ashbrook, Sr., and
valued, before stated at about $50 900. Only
els 900 Of this was insured viz. So 900 in the
State Mutual. and $4,000 in the Home Mutual In.
suranoe Companies.
The stock was valued at about 100000, and WAS
insured to the amount Of about $4,000.