Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-03-26
From the Democratic Pionee
Awful ComhagratiOm In Elizabeth City.


1t has become painful duty to announce the occur
of the most destructive conlagraton that has
visited our little CITY, While we write thick clouds of
black smoke from the smoudering remains of thrtyGve
buildings hang like pail the scene telling of the
terrible disaster that has swept the hard earnings of
ny of our best and most valuable citizens to destruction
Never in the annals of town has so heavy blow
fallen upon it. In the space of six hours, about $4,000
dollars worth of property has been consumed by the de-
vouring element and large space in the business pOr
ton OF the City is only occupied by tall chmneys and
heaps of bricks and ashes.
About II o'clock on Sunday night, our people were
aroused from their sumbers by the peals of the BELLS
and the startling cry of fire ~ cry so seldom heard
in midst brought to the nearly the entire pop
uaton of the place, with the ONLY ENGINE that have
but too late to prevent the spread of the flames that is
sued from the store owned and occupied by n A Conn.,
West side of Water street The wind was blowing fresh
from the North at the time which carried the fire to the
large building the of Main and Water Streets
owned by Charles Layery, and occupied by himself and
partner, Robinson White as a dry goods and grocery
store Notwithstanding the exertions of our citizens
this soon wrapped in a solid sheet Of fame,
ncatng to the house on the opposite corner, belonging
to and in the occupancy of w. B. Burgess. The fire
cat its way northward in the face of the wind and soon
the entire row, consisting of building the property
of Abel Roberts another belonging to orphan children
and three belonging to H. Culpepper, two of which were
occupied by himself and the other by j. L. Mccoy It
then crossed North street. and destroyed three houses
owned by Thomas Allen One used as "a grocery by
BannistCr Balance, and the remainder as dwellings,
The market house in the centre of the street was quick
~ consumed. The wind by this time had changed to
Northwest and sent the flames Water street. to
the extensive Agricultural Machine establishment of W.
Fl. Clark, which, with its entire contents was consumed
An old warehouse the opposite corner owned by G..
NJ Laverty, but used by Mr. Clark an engine house
and grst mill, and blacksmith shop in the rear of the
main building, also destroyed. The fire continued
its course South sweeping the entire street the Eas-
tern side of the water ayn" waste dwelling adjoining
the establishment of MIR. Clark the large ship chandery
of c. NJ Laverty, together with bis books and papers
the extensive boot and shoe establishment of T. D. Knox
two warehouses owned by James w. Hinton, one used
for wood and coal by B. T. Miller the other for storage
by Messrs Hinton & Dashie The large grocery store
of j. j. Grandy, and the store house of 3. Spru Just
vacated by w. Shannon The brick stores of Samuel
Williams, West side of Main street though considera-
bly, damaged, saved The remaining buildings to
the water save small store, also the property Of B.
Sprul, saved, though their occupants, S. Weisel
Hinton Il DaShel and !. Fearing, Jr. met with consd-
cradle loss from the damage in removing their goods
From the store of Mcssrs White & Laverty the fire ex
tended up Main street, taking in its course two houses
belonging to n. Conn., and the Marine Hospital on the
corner of Main and Pondexter streets At this point
it was arrested.
Whole loss about 8O,OOO-insurance $4,000 Fire
supposed to be the work of an incendiary; and Mr..
Cohn and family have been arrested upon suspicion and
lodged in JAIL to await an examination. We shall give
the losses of each individual in to-lnorrow's paper