The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-13
News from the Rio Grnnde.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BRowNsvILLE-FATAL Ex
PLOsIoF OUR PERSONS KILLED-PR0PERTY VA
LUED AT 500 900 DESTROYED.
The schooner B. Knudson arrived at New Orleans
the 4th from Brazos, Santiago, with advces dated
on Both of October.
She brought S1l 800 in specie
destructive fire and explosion occurred at Browns
vile, attended by loss of life and injury to several per-
and loss Of property estimated at 5000 600
From the Brownsville Flag (ExtTa) Oct. "a
On last Friday night, between IL and O'Clock, the
Of fire heard which caused all of our citizens
that awake to rush to where was supposed TO be
1t was first discovered by Mr. Nelson in the wholesale
establishment of Messrs. Gavan 4 Co., on the evec,
when he Immediately woke up three or four that were
sleeping the building. Very afterwards notice
given those approaching that powder was in the store
and explosion OF two or three kegs few minutes be-
fore the last conclusion gave good many warning.
In the meantime Mr. Woodhouse and several citizens
succeeded getting 200 kegs of powder into the river
from the warehouse OF Charles snllman 20 ABOUT the
time this work finished Mr. Norh one of the firm Of
Woodhouse Co.. endeavorng to save their papers,
which he partially succeeded in DOING when the explosion
took pace-fataly wounding him and seriously injurng
Mr.. Miller During this time Mr. Morg, Mr.. Allsbach and
Mr.. Portilla in Morris x Co.'S store Elizabeth
street. getting their papers and money This store being
Just opposite the powder, the sudden conclusion com
pletely demolished the whole establishment throwing the
great body of the building into the street. killing Mr. D.
Mortz and Mr. Asbach, and woundmg Mr. Portiila very
badly.
Mr.. J. Moritzs body found in the morning dread
fully mangled, Of his limbs being burned OF Mr.
Alsbach has not been found and is probably somewhere
in the ruins yet If not blown away Mr.. Frank North
expired about two hours after he wounded.
The fire originated from a candle burning near some
straw j. Gayan Co IS store. There were ninety five
kegs Of powder in the back part Of the same building
where the fire caught which must have all communicated
at the same time TO have caused such conclusion.
The explosion created confusion for several miles round
an wonderment the minds OF those aroused from their
slumbers by the loud report and the quverng OF their
dwellings. Many knocked from their beds-roofs
bricks, boards and pieces Of lumber falling In on them
force unrvitng locks and bursting bars Of iron from
doors truly alarming for the slumberers TO contem
plate
Colonel Taylor and Captain Dawson and the soldiers
the garrison deserve the gratitude Of all for the fearless
manner in which they entered the scene Of action.
Mr. Kennedy ordered the steamboat Grampus 10 be
landed opposite the fire, and she played upon the build
ings with her pumps for thirty five hours.
Had not been for these active operations, the whole
town, doubtless, would have been committed TO the
flames; and had there been any swift breeze stirring, II
would have been almost impossible to save IL from de-
struction but fortunately II was unusually calm.
II would be difficult to estimate the amount each mer
chant has lostevery having his goods, crockery,
house, &c. more U less injured.
We will commence first ca the Levce, and suppose the
damages Of the merchants have sustained Charles
stman Co, blown down, $4,000; s. A. Belden q Co,
burnt SIS, 900, loss Of papers, &c; Kennedy Co.,
freight stored; j. Gavan Co., $40 900; f. J. Parker
wooden building, in the rear lumber T. Roca, wooden
building, occupied by II. OConnor Co., tin shop, burnt
A. Iandolt burnt, IS 900; Marcus Radsh smashed in
framed; Nicolas Grisaent and Mrs. Peabody's houses
greatly injured Along both sides Of Thirteenth street.
from the ieyee 10 Elizabeth street. including the drug and
book store, great deal Of damage was done.
Elizabeth street,. Moritz Co., destroyed, s25 900;
Nine Vincent fancy goods greatly injured; Dominguez,
Victor Sale and Magnn Frercs, all wooden houses
tanned some loss The wooden houses known the Maxan
property far round the drug store, torn aud
shattered good deal The Dillon Buildings, owned by
Marco Radish protected the upper Of Elizabeth
street From Webb Mlers hotel 10 the bank the loss
has been heavy; doors, windows and roofs, dry
goods LIQUORS. hardware, &c broken injured in some
way Twelfth has shared the fate Mcssrs.
werbik Fernandez and others, injured u good deal.
large amount Of the goods destroyed in the ware.
houses were consignment for Mexico.
The arrival OF the regular steamer from New Or.
leans on last Monday week, the cause Of a large
amount VI silver and gold being on hand, but mostly all
OF this Is saved.
Henry Mautby, Of Corpus Christi lost about 900
worth OF groceries, which he had In Galvan's store.
The entire loss Of property, dry goods, &c, may be CO
tinated at $500 600