Smyrna times., 1860-10-25
DISASTROUS FIRE. BURNT OUT

DISASTROUS FIRE BURNT OUT !
10 noting the fact that we had disastrous
fire in this tow on Wednesday evening last,
we are publishing nothing new to the citizens
of this place anG vicinity; but to scores of our
subscribers in the distant part of this and other
States, it may be matter Of interest. The
alarm was given at midnight exactly, and ter
r!b.e as an alarm Of fire at night is, it was
particularly so when announced to be in one of
the most business places i'll the town, many
not knowing and all fearing for their own prop
erty or the property Of friends. The buildings
destroyed consisted Of ,hree-a cooper shop,
(whera the fire originated) in the occupancy
OF John Mitchell and WIN. Irving small ten.
ant house in the occupancy of Henry Davis
negro, and the Temperance Hall.
The latter, from the variety of interests con-
centrated in il, was tie principal object to
which the rescuers ben: their energies The
basement was used as a broom factory, by
Denny Stevenson, Sr. the first floor as Sc
lect school by Miss Maria Mitchell and the /
TINES printing office; and the second story as
the place of meeting Of the Independent Order
OF Rec Men, Cadets of Temperance, and the
Brass Band. The buildings all belonged 10
James L. Clements, on which he had an insu-
rance of about $1,000. Mr.. Stevenson lost, we
believe. the largest part o This things: the coop.
pers all theirs, including their books; the Bund
two Of their instruments; the Red Men every
thing; aud the Cadets all except their regal.a.
The first floor was more fortunate. All OF
Miss MicheI's school appurtenances we be-
lieve we're saved-the most OF the type III the
printing ohce also, but, as might be supposed,
~ pied and bad condition, while some or the
most useful and necessary type-sorts, &c.
have disappeared entirely. The press was
one OF the last things to 90 out, which, ccnsid-
ering its great weight and unwieldiaess, was
difficult undertaking, but in the hands OF en-
trgetic, determined men, was accomplished
with much less injury than might have been
supposed. Every one seemed to feel for ihe
sufferers, and with sympathetic and brave
hearts made every effort 10 rescure thor proper
~ trom the detourlng elements; and, for our
self and the others burnt out, we herewith Of
fer our sincere and earnest thanks for the in
teres; in, and personal danger they incurred in
securing property that otherwise uIust speed.
lily have been entirely consumed. lndvdu-
ally, we return especial thanks for the inter
est manifested not only on the night O.! the
fire, but subsequently, in getting together the
scattered PARTICLES, and in getting us re-estab-
lIshed, so as TO proceed in business with as lit.
tie delay possible.
But to return. The property OF Mrs Lydia
Mcdowell ran a narrow risk Of being consum-
ed, as did that Of Messrs. Cahoon a. CarroW
both of which were separated from the burn
ing houses only few feet, AMI were saved
only by the most determined Efforts. The en-
gines d valuable service in saving the pro-
perty OF the former, and but for them must have
been destroyed. The properties of Messrs.
Pratt &. Davis, John H. bowman and John A.
Cavender were in close proxmtyto the flames,
and but for the calmness of the night, would
have been in iminent danger.
Everylhingf except the bad condition Of the
engines when first brought TO the ground, ia.
vored our citlzenr in arresting the flames. Ii
is remarkable, (and it has not failed in our ex
perienee) that the wind blows just as it shoslC
to render the suppression Of the flames easy.
The origin of the fire is unknown, and 0
course everything in relation TO it must bC
mere conjecture. The prevailing opinion how
ever is that il was accidental
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