Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-04-15
Destructive Fire.

little before o'clock on Wednesday afternoon fire
broke out in the vicinity of Front and Orange streets
which proved to be the most destructive that has visited
this town for several years. and at one time threatened
to be still more ruinous.
We learn that the fire originated in the old Coopers
shop on the corner of Orange and Front streets There
was nothing in the shop but loose cotton which
had been taken from wrecked vessel and was scattered
out to dry The Messrs. Worth, by whom the shop
was used inform us that to the best of their knowledge
no fire had been in the building for months. Two small
negro boys had been in the house shortly before the fire
occurred and were in the street in front of it when Mr.
Bunn's boy discovered the fire and gave the ALARM
There is no conjecture as to how the fire started.
The fire must have spread very rapidly, as was to
have been expected from the combustibe character of
the sheds and wooden building in the vicinity. When
we got down, very few minutes after the alarm had
been given, we found everything the West side of
Front street, between Orange street and the large brick
warehouse occupied by Dr. Worth, and Messrs. T. c. &c
B. g. Worth in flames, and the sparks or fakes Of fire
from the tall hose house attached to the Fire King
engine house had set fire to the sepe of the Presbye-
ran Church, which of wood. For some time hopes
were entertained that the Church might be saved but
these hopes had soon to be abandoned. In compare
lively short time the interior of the building in
flames and the houses in the vicinity were in imminent
danger of burning, from which nothing but the most
strenuous exerions the part of citizens and the fire
department could have saved them.
The only dwelling house that we know to have been
burned was wooden building next door, we think to
the engine house, and occupied by Mr.. Fitzgerald
Mrs Fitzgerald, who was in delicate health was with
hou0I ooF H.
was saved.
Messrs. T. G. & B. q. Worth think that their loss
will probably be six thousand dollars Among the prop
erty burned was about 70 hhds. of moasses quantity
of fish, plaster, cement and variety of merchandise
The insurance is believed to be sufficient to cover the
less
The buildings destroyed on Orange street, Water
street and the West side of Front street were of com
paratvey little value. We hardly know what figure to
name The Presbyterian Church was a good plain
building, and contained very fine organ which cost
$4,000 year ago.
Since writing the above we have received the follow
ing estimate of the loss in detail
T. @. & B. G.. Worth $4,000, in goods we believe
fully insured j. Jenkins, Of Fayetteville who owned
the old buildings, $4,000; M Fitzgerald, $4O0 in fur
niture Presbyterian Church, $1,000; L. L. Bum
$500 in painting materials ETC.; B. W. Beery, $3.50
MODELS etc. S. B. Kahnweiler 81 800 in injury to fur
niture covered by insurance. j. Loeb, ST. 800 damage
to house next north of the Church The whole damage
will not vary far from $4,000 There is further loss
to the town by the burning of the engine house.
We have already referred to the exerons of citizens
and of the fire department. 1t is easy to blame but the
fact was apparent last evening that but for the noble
exertions made the whole square which the Church
stood must have gone. AS usual the Howard Relief
Company was doing noble service.
The Presbyterian Church, tablet on lis front III
forms us had been burned down in May, 1919.