The Nevada journal., 1858-05-28
Wiped out Again.

Again have we been touched by the
hand of doom. Two years have not
elapsed since an appalling scene of de-
vastation was spread out before the eyes
of our stricken citizens; and now tie
sight is repeated. Houseless and home
less hundreds were turned out to COM
mence life anew in July 1886. They
struggled with adverse fortune, and
again were beginning to see around
them the comforts Of life, when another
disaster, slight, it is true, in comparison
to the former but still disheartening,
has overtaken them. On Sunday last
the combustibic heart of the city was
destroyed by that most terrible element
fire. We look upon nothing but the
blackened site of city and scared walls
that have withstood the flames. The
change of few days that has come over
our mountain home is sad one and
discouraging Yet there is life, vigor
and spirit left in Nevadans for another
effort to restore to themselves their
losses. The instruments of the builder
are resounding along our blackened
streets. But, not as on former occa-
sion, our citizens are taking time for re-
Election. They are determined to take
breath this time and not be in hurry,
and it will be productive of good. We
are persuaded that the more thought
that is given to the condition of Callfor-
mia towns and the dangers incident to
them, the more buildings Gf durable
nature will be constructed. 1t is useless
TO talk of poverty, when the erection of
a brick building is broached. A people
will always be poor, whose property is
destroyed twice in two years. There
has been property enough destroyed by
fire in Nevada to build the entire town
of brick and furnish deluging torrent
at every door.
1t is not absolutely necessary that all
the buildings about to be erected should
be fre-proof a few brick walls to
afford shelter TO those who were fighting
the flames the other day would have
done wonders. Men cannot be expected
to stand exposed to a fierce furnace,
with nothing to shield them, and do
much service. Brick fronts not fire
proof would have saved rows of build
ings on the other side of the street last
Sunday from the flames, and confined
the destruction to moderate limits.
The idea seems to be prevalent that
brick walls are far more costly than
wood. Let it be so, and it is not diff
cult propositionto TO demonstrate that they
are cheapest in the end. But an ordin-
ary brick wall costs but little more than
one of wood. The iron work of our
lire proofs is a very heavy item of ex-
pense, and our city is SO broken by safe
buildings now that very few more
thick walls are absolutely necessary to
confine a fire 10 a small locality. The
other brick buildings need not be fire
proof. 1t is not essential. Suppose the
buildings, for instance, to be erected on
both sides of Main street were to be
constructed with brick fronts alone, we
apprehend that under ordinary circum-
stances very common fire company
whose outfit would cost but little, would
be able to keep the fire from crossing
from one side to the other. Brick walls
intervening save fireman from the
heat of the flames to a great extent
and enable him to work
By all means, then, we say, let every
body put up brick walls. even if they
are not fire proof. But, in the name of
every thing that is creditable to COM
munity, let us learn some little wisdom
from experience and profit by it. Let
rs have some steps taken to put out
fires when they occur. We want PRO
lection. The theme is worn thread
bare by us and it is not without diff
dence that we approach the subject at
this time. You all know, fellow citizens
and will remember what we have re-
peatedly said in favor of supplying the
town with water against day of need.
We have made it text for more than
two years past. But few weeks ago
our last article on this subject was pen
ned. We instituted at that time a com
porison between the problematieal use
fulness of our military company and a
body of fremen composed of the same
number of men. Bat it is not profitable
to recur to the past-it is remembered