New-York daily tribune., 1856-05-02
TERRIBLE CONFEDERATION.
FORTY STORES AND DWELLINGS DESTROYED
osy FIREMAN KILLBD--ONE MoRrALLY Stabbed
Estimated Loss More than Million Oh Doiiara

From The Philadelphia Erening BuRe'in ETtTd Nay
Last night about l2 o'clock, fire broke out IN the
northern end of the large rag and paper warehouse o
Messrs Jessup & Moore, the south SIDE OF Eas'
North street below Sixths The wind was blowing
freshly from the northeast at the tme and the flames
were carried through with fearful rapdity to the oner
extremity of the store, on Commerce street; Inc
large structure was speedily eDveloped in fsmes,
which were carried by the force of the wind against
the buildings adjoining, and they were soon IN ignt
blaze. rue A.. .,..
inc rags and paper We're vomted forth from the WIN
dows and carried on the wind in souhwestery direc
ton. where they fell in frey shower; The hremen
were soon in service but it was speedily manifest that
ali the buildings west of the paper store to sixth street.
and South TO Market street, must be involved IN de-
st,uction. The State House bell was lmmedatey
struck for general alarm, and Its constant strokes
brought 10 the ground the entire Department OF the
city. ,,;.
The worst fears were soon realized. The buildings
on both sides of North street. and upon both SIDES oil
Commerce street. were soon in light blaze; the Mar,
ket street stores extended back to the las; named
street, and the flames soon pouring out OF the
windows to that avenue and threatening to extend
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 confagration Back of the western side
Of Sxtb street large schoolhouse, belonging 10 the
S,ciety OF Friends carpenter shop and several small
dwellings were in flames and burning furiously.
The roofs of two large stores on the lower side Of
OF two buildings the west side of sixth street. be-
low Market were in flames by 81 o'clock
The scene was most frightful-the flames shot
up high into the air, Illuminating the entire city, aud
treatt ming to destroy entire blocks to the wndward
Commerce and Moth streets in flames, aud fires
were raging upon both sides Of the Marke. and Sixth
streets The wind, which increasing in strengh,
was carrying fiery shower TO great distance all
around the of devastation persons huying
away their families and their goods places of safety.
The firemen bewildered and distracted at the insult
6ciency Of the means at their command in comparison
with the yastness of the field of exeron before them
struggled manfuly with the destroying element, aud
under the judicious command OF their officers did the
beet they could.
The FIRE continued TO spread until after daylight, and
when the sun rose sickeniug scene OF destruction
was exhibited Every building on the north side of
Msrk et street from the unfinished iron structure at
No 2l9 To Sixth street. In ruins, and most OF ths
houses ON the east side of Sixth street TO North street
were down The western ends of North ana CoIn-
merce streets were in ruins, while ugly gaps were
made in the blocks south and west of the bounds
described. Some forty buildings were oe'uoyeu'
many Of them stores of great value.
FIREMAN KILLED.-Mr. John IL. Groii menUei
Of the Perseverance Hose Company, residing al 40;
50 Race street while engaged at the fire. was cIusneu
by falling walls and instantly killed. His BODY was
recovered and the Coroner will hold an inquest this
Afternoon. Mr.. Gro6 was Returned Volunteer, anu
had served In the Mexican war. He was no, married
MAN STABBED.-During the progress OF the nre
row occurred in Sixth, above Market, between mum
Der Of the adherens OF two of The fire companies and