The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-03-28
Minnesota Correspondence.

4 great FIre-.st. Patrick's Day-the
Rivera Peep at the Jail-a C,nrersa-
ton uith Female Murderer, &c., &c.
ST. PAUL, March 18th, 1860.
Dear ol.:-The most alarming and decid-
edly most destructive fire ever occurring in
this city, broke out about l o'clock yesterday
morning. Every building fronting on either
side Of Third street, between Jackson and
Robert, excepting Larpenteurs brick store,
Bidwell's and Beaumont d. GordOns stone
buildings, besides all the buildings on Robert
street, between Third and Fourth, excepting
one stone store and livery stable, was con
sumed. The flames spread with such disas.
trous rapidity, that in less than three hours,
thirty five stores, or places Of trade, one large
brick livery stable, several barns and storage
buildings, with portions of their contents, in.
Guiding much valuable merchandise were total
~ destroyed. The several Fire, Hook and
Ladder companies, were unusually vigilant, but
being compelled to force the water 600 feet up
heavy grade from the river, their efforts to
stay the progress of the flames, seemed almost
fruitless, until the fire had reached Robert strt,
and they had removed their engines thither,
where fortunately in an old cellar. made vacant
by the fires of last summer, plentiful supply
of water was found.
The loss from This unfortunate conAagration,
will at least approximate 100000, one half Of
which is covered by insurance. A few of the
buildings destroyed were valuable and of orna
ment to the city, but a greater number of no
credit. occupied by Jews, Germans, Irish, etc,
and infested by persons of low, dssi pated, and
indolent habits. 1t was indeeda rich scene to
see them todling out of their dcns half dressed
loaded down with their ptnn7er, much Of which
80 valueless that its complete title would not be
sufficient remuneration tor carrying it one square
A great amount of pillfering was done. and it is
said that several cart loads of booty emerged
into the country about daylight. 1t is generally
conceded that the fire originated with certain
parties, three Of whom have been arrested, who
were anxious to obtain insurance money on
their property.
Your ancestral ma mesake must have been in
deed wonderful Saint, to have inaugurated
such display Of public worship as character.
ize the Catholic citizens of this city in their
Nceremonies and festivities of to.lay-rua In
ST. Patrick.
Steamboats, are now plying daily mp the Min.
ncsota aud down to the Lake. There is an i'm
mense amount of produce awaiting shipment
from our various ports.
To day, visited the Jail, and took a peep at
those murdcrers, Mrs. Bilansky, LaLilyer and
O'Neill also IA other villains whose crimes
are not 80 deep and damnng In reply to my
remark that she had rather close quarters. Mrs.
Blansky said, "not SO close rs that spot six feet
uHucr SfOuNu, 10 WHICH aIt VI you 4lS OoohCu
by the Almighty, but which fal-e and errng
Inortals had wickedly and prematurely consgn.
cd to her fate" She remarked also, that three
of those persons who swore falsely against her
aud otherwise contributed to her conviction had
preceded her to the charnel house. 1t is in
deed somewhat singular coincidence that DR..
Goodrich, lately deceased in New York. and
the servant girl who poisoned herself in this
city last winter, were the chief witnesses against
her. Also, Theodore French. a lawyer, who
was buried in this city last week, was a leading
Attorney for the prosecution. This unfortu
nate woman, who no doubt administered poison
in the cup Of her husband. thereby causing his
death. will doubtless be hung next Friday. Yet
with all her guilt, can not realize, that there
is single attribute Of Deity which will smile
with complaisant forgiveness upon her execu-
TONERS. LaLilyer, who you will recollcct was
arrested last Spring, at Prairie du Chen. bro't
here, tried and convicted for the murder OF his
wife, has failed to obtain trial, and he too,
together with NELL, for the same crime, must
soon expiate upon the gallow those sins, tor
which the Almighty alone, in my humble view.
has the power to inAict the death penalty.
think some people would show more con-
sistency in denying their Maker, than in &C
knowledging his existence and attributes, while
at the same time they would steal from him the
execution of his infinite powers.
With respect, OSSAWATTAMlE.