Des Arc citizen., 1859-01-28
From the Batesvile Balance Extra, 18th inst. Terrible Confagration Great Destruc-
 tion of Property Batesville Insti-
 tute in Ruins Loss, S50,000 3ss6

ute Ill hulnS -LuSS, spoV,oOO ,ifg
 Between. one and-two o'clock, the store- house on the corner of Main and Brigde streets, occupied by Messrs. Ray & Au, digier, was discovered to be on fire, and the flames so far advanced that 1t was i'm possible to save 1t, notwithstanding the vigorous efforts ofa large number of. the citizens, who very soon collected after the alarm was given. a
 The dwelling house of MT. w. w. Lewis, Tn connection with which where the Registers office, State Land Agents office, and the Post office, were next to take fire. As it was found impossible to stop the progress of the flames in this bulld- ing, the efforts the citizens were imme- dlately energetically directed to saving the household furniture of MT. Lewis, the books and papers of the Land office, and the post office. These were all saved, and all other property, with the exception of three gold watches, and a few other ar ticles that were not of much importance, and the devouring element was necessarily Jeff to its work of devastation.
 Adjoining MT. Lewis house was the Batesville Institute, the pride Of Batesville, a splendid and costly building just finished , and containing the Masonic Hall recently so richly furnished and dedicated with im- posing ceremonies.
 Scarcely had the flames spread over the whole of MT. Lewis house, before they were communicated to the Institute, and spread with such rapidity and fury that they could not be arrested. The Institute being beyond hope, the attention of the citizens was directed to other citizens buildings, and by the utmost exertion the devastating flames were prevented from spreading further,
 The losses, from what we have been able to learn, are about as follows: K
 MT. E. T. Burr, who owned the cor ner house occupied by Messrs. Ray & Audgier, $500, no insurance. Messrs. Ray & Audiger $1 500, fully insured. MT. w. w. Lewis, about S2 500 no in- surance. Batesville Institute and Mason ic Lodge, $2,500, no insurance. Messrs. w. Byers & Son, whose choice law office, was on the second floor of the institute, lost in law books, furniture and papers, about $2, GOO, no insurance. Thos. Cox, Esq, law office in the same building, lost in law and miscellaneous books and pa pers, $3 ,500. The Masonic Fraternity lost most of their valuable furniture, re- galia, etc. The Blue Lodge, also lost their record and charter. The charter of the Chapter was saved. Loss. S3 800. [,
 This is, indeed, heavy blow upon Ratesvlle, and heavier still upon the in- dviduals on whom the terrible calamity fell directly. The destruction of the h. stitute is regarded as general calamity; for every citizen of Batesyille regarded It as something 10 be proud of and feels the loss as If he were directly damaged.
 The Masonic Fraternity, who had ex- pended large sum in decorating and furnishing their Hall, making it the first in every respect in this State. must be greatly distressed at their irreparable loss.
 The loss from the burning of the Insll- ute falls chiefly on Messrs. Byers & RuddeL, who were the principal stock holders. Two more worthy and valuable and public spirited citizens could not have suffered al a aara 5s
 Batesvile has never suffered from fire before, and we hope to be spared the mel ancholy duty of ever recording a similar calamity in our midst.
 The energy of those who have lost, will not, we trust, be daInpened; but we hope to see the rubbish soon cleared away, and new buildings standing up in place of the old ones. We hear that this will probably be done. seg