The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
TEE LATE FIRE.

town on the morning of the 9th ult.
May. Benjamin Morrow had several build
ings fronting on main street and on an alley
north of the American hotel, destroyed. -
Loss probably $4,000, on which there was
| no insurance.
Rufus Barringer, Esq, was the owner OF
the American Hotel, and the several small
buildings adjoining, all of which we're de-
stroyed. Loss about $4,000, ON which there
was an insurance of $3.50.
Mr.. Henry Gundry was the owner of q
dwelling blown up opposite the hotel, Mr..
G-'s, own residence, adjoining. also had its
roof destroyed and was otherwise injured
some of his furniture and household effects
were damaged and lost by hasty removal
making in all loss not less than 81 900.
| No insurance.
Mr.. Robert Sterling's dwelling, large
frame building south of the hotel, was blown
up, and some of his household effects in
! iured by removal Loss about $500. No
| insurance.
A brick two-story building, on main
street, owned by Messrs. Samuel Alexander
and L. S. Williams was burned, on which
there was an insurance of 5000. These
gentlemen also lost some room furniture.
Their net loss is probably $500.
Mr.. J. c. Hand, grocer and liquor dealer,
occupied a house belonging to Maj. Morrow.
on the corner north of the hotel. Insurance
$50O-which will probably cover the loss,
as portion of his goods were saved.
Messrs. Gillespie & Kinzel, proprietors
of the bakery and confectionery establish
ment, were losers to the amount of several
hundred dollars. No insurance. The build
ing belonged to Maj. Morrow.
Messrs. Trotter & Wilkinson, proprietors
of tobacco and confectionery establish
ment, in the basement of the brick building
belonging to Messrs. Alexander and Will
liams, lost some property by fire and re-
moval, though their loss is small. No in
surance.
Mr.. w. w. Quinn, be! and mattress
manufacturer, occupied the 'old building"
| (probably the most ancient structure in the
town. The removal of his stock, before
the building was blown up, saved him from
much loss. The house was the property of
Maj. Morrow.
S. w. Davis, Esq, occupied a law office
in a small building attached to the American
Hotel. Mr.. D., who was absent at the time,
lost all his law library, clothes, Sc, in
volving him in loss of several hundred
dollars.
r. P. Waring, Esq, also occupied law
office, adjoining that of Mr.. Davis. The
principal part of his books and Office effects
were saved.
DR.. C. A. Henderson had medical office
adjoining the office of Mr.. Davis. His
books and office furniture were principally
saved.
Mr.. A. Bethune, Tailor, occupied frame
house which was blown up on main street,
ut tho point whore tho iro arrested in
its northern track. He sustained some loss,
but what amount we have not heard esti-
mated. The building was the property of
Messrs. James and Neil Wilkinson.
The line of small buildings on the alley
north of the hotel, were principally occu-
pied by boot and shoe makers connected
with the establishment of Messrs. Boone
& Co. The leather, tools, &C., were mostly
saved. The buildings belonged to Maj.
Morrow. Two rooms in the row were un-
occupied.
A BARRIERS shop, occupied by colored
men, adjoining the American Hotel, was
included in the loss of that property.
Mr.. j. w. Adams, the proprietor of the
American Hotel, was heavy loser in the
way of furniture and household effects
generally, although considerable portion
was saved in damaged condition.
The suspension of business on the part
of some who have suffered by this fire will
add greatly to their loss.
William johnson, Esq, and DR.. E. H.
Andrews, whose residences were nearly
opposite the American Hotel, sustained
each small loss, by the hasty removal of
their furniture. Their houses were in i'm
minent peril, and were only saved by the
most energetic aild persevering efforts of
their friends. Both of these gentlemen
happened to be absent at the time their
residences were so seriously threatened
with destruction. These efforts, however,
there is but little doubt, would have proved
unavailing, but for the line of fine shade
trees in front Of their residences, shielding
the buildings from the full effects of the
heat.
Both of the Corporation fire engines were
speedily brought out, but sufficient water
could not be obtained from the pumps and
wells in the neighborhood, to keep one
steadily in motion.
This, we believe, was a fire the most dis
astrous of any which has occurred here
within the recollection of the coolest in
habitant.'' Nearly all the buildings were
of wood, and of a very combustible nature.
At the height of the conhagratiOn, it threat
ened destruction to large and valuable