Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-20
From the Memphis Evening Ledger, May II.
Disastrous Fire Over Half Block
Destroyed!-Probab Loss of $751;

Destroyed! -PrODabIe Loss OF S7o.-
900.
Our citizens were aroused this morning
about three o'clock by the startling alarm of
fire, which proved to be the tin shop occu pied
by Mr.. Goats, No 16l Main street. Though
a recent cloud had just passed over the city
drenching our streets, the flames seemed TO
fash iicrcely up through the house on fire,
and 10 instantly communicate with the sur
rounding buildings to the extent of the half
block now in ruins, which was in flames be-
fore the fire companies arrived. The fire COM
panies, however, by their timely aid, saved
the adjoining block across the alley.
Messrs. Zent Il Trabue adjoining the house
first On fire, through promptness and energy
saved as much perhaps as $500 worth of fur
niture, but such was the speed of the sur
rounding flames that their remaining stock of
Sl2, 900 on which they had no insurance was
consumed. Mr. Goats lost "A stock amounting
to $4,000 on which he had an insurance of
$1,000. Mr.. Dow lost stock Of near 81 900
which was covered by insura ace. Messrs.
Frank Smith & Co. extensive Produce deal
ers lost near S25, 900 insurance in the Ktna,
Home, Phoenix and Hartford of $4,000.
Mr.. ii. III. Mette's stock of lard and liquors
amounted to $4,000 on which he had an Insu-
rance of $4,000. The house occupied by Mr..
Mctte, belonged either to Capt. Greenlaw, or
DR.. Watt. of New York.
The ware house, belonging to Mrssrs. Case
& Co., in the rear of the burnt block, was full
of hay, aud was still burning as we went to
press
McCombs & Co.'S. cotton iron tie establish
ment. loss unknnwn--supposcd to be small.
Mes.rs. j. ID. Case & Co.'s loss on building
$4,000, insurance 50 900; loss OH stock S.
900. Insurance $4,000.
We have cOnvcrsed with Mr.. Goats, in
whose establishment the fire occurred who.
from all the facts, thinks it most probable
that the heavy wind preceding the fire had
blown open the windows in the back end OF
the house, and blown such fire as may have
been in the fire stand cot the workmen, who
bad quit work at 6o'clock the evening before)
into something combustible. We have heard
it suggested that, perhaps, some one had made
an entrance through the rear of his house
aud set fire either 20 some varnish or rosin
on hand, he, however thinks to the reverse
and from all the facts we think he is right in
his superstition, as to the manner in which
the fire originated.
We, this morning, visited the burnt dis
| trict, where We found many of our citizens
assembled TO see the smouldering ruins,
everything seemed as yet confused, so much
indeed, that we could scarcely see any one
We wanted to see, or learn anything we
wanted to learn, and what we did learn after
diligent search Is what we have already given
We could not find out who many of tbs
buildings belonged to, but from estimate
OF the one occupied by Mr.. Mette, which was
$4,000, as fair valuation of others of a
similar size, and also of the statement of the
losses of stock as above we suppose that the
loss is near SIS 900 and insurance 5000
which would make a citizen loss of $4,000
and insurance loss of $4,000. When The
facts can be more definitely known they will
be more definitely stated.
We understand that Mr.. John Williams
one of the hose men, was severely, though
not very dangerously burned, he was direct
ing the hose pipe il the second story of the
store of Mr.. Mettes when the plastering fell
down from the burning rooms above anC
thus burned him in the face and hands will
| the suffocating smoke and steam.