True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-05-07
From the Philadelphia Bulls tin Of Thursday.
TERRIBLE C0NFLAGRATION.
Fifty Stores and D.Osllings Destroyed.
ONE FIREMAN KILLED--ANOTH.
Err MORTALITY WOUNDED.
Loss MOaE THAN MlLLrON OF DOILAns.


Last night, "Wednesday last, about 10
o'clock, fire broke out in the northern
end of the large rag and paper warehouse
of Messrs. Jessup and Moore, on the
south side of East North street, below
Sixth. The wind was blowing freshly
from The northeast at the time, and the
flames were carried through with fearful
rapidity TO the other extremity Of the
store on Commerce street. The large
structure was speedily enveloped in
flames.
To add 10 the disastrous effects ofthe
fire, the burning rags and paper were
vomit ed forth from the windows and car
ried on the wind in a Sou,hwesterly di-
rection, where they fell in a fiery show
,er. The fremen were soon in service,
but it was speedily manifest that all the
buildings west of the paper store to Sixth
street, and south to Market street, must
be involved in destruction.
The worst fears were soon realized.--
The buildings on the south side oil East
North street, and upon both sides oi
Commerce street, were soon in light
blaze, the Market street stores extended
back 10 the last named street, and the
flames were soon pouring out of the win
dows on TO that avenue and threatening
to extend 10 Chestnut street. BY two
O'Clock, the western end of the block
bounded by Market, North, and Sixth
streets was in flames, and the wind had
carried the burning fakes into the block
Immediately west of the main body OF The
conAagration. Back Of the western side
of SIKH street, large school house be-
longing to the Society of Friends, car
penter shop, and several small dwellings
were in flames and burning furiously.
The roofs of the two large stores on the
lower side of Market street, below SIKH,
took fire, and The roofs of Two buildings
on the west side of Sixth street, below
Market were in flames by half past three
O'Clock.
The scene was now most frlghllul-
the flames shot up high into the air, Illu
minaling the entire city, and threatening
to destroy entire blocks to the windward
Commerce and Fourth streets were II
flames, and fires were raging on both
sides of Market and Sixth streets. The
wind, which was increasing in strength
was carrying fiery shower to grea'
distance; all around the scene of deVas
talion persons were hurying away lhel
families and goods to places of safety.
The fire continued to spread until atle1
daylight, and when the sun rose slcken
ing scene of destruction was exhibited
Every building on the north side OF Mar
ket street, from the unfinished iron slruc
ture at No. 2l9, 10 Sixth street. was /
ruins, and most of thu houses on the eas
side Of SIKH street TO Norlh street, wer
down. The western ends of North ant
Commerce streets were in ruins, whl
ugly gaps were made in the blocks soul
and west of the bounds described. Som
fifty buildings were destroyed, many {
them stores of great value.
! During the morning Davis s. Rusi
the President of the Friendship Englr
Company, was caught by falling wa
) and badly crushed. 1t was first thougl
, that he was killed, but he escaped vii
= his life, although he was seriously brul
: ed. No bones were broken.
S Mr.. Croft was killed while standing q
! the roof of store on the north side {
q Commerce street. A wall fell over an
crushed him.
The origin of the fire is wrapped j
is mystery. No fire was used IN the spC
IS where the flames originated.
q In the almost chaotic confusion tn
. prevails, it is utterly impossible to
y more than make on approximate estima
u Of the amount of the loss. Those wi
l. are competent to judge, are of opini'
IS that it will reach million of dollar
% while others fix it at much higher Fl
:. ure.