New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-18

Loss oF LIRE.

Two very destructive fires occurred In Memphis
Friday last attended with loss Of life. The Avn
lancbe gives the following account Of the fncf-
dents connected with the disaster and the loss of
propertys
Capt. s. Fl. Whitsitt the efficient Chief Of the
Fire Department, was promptly on the ground, d-
recting the working Of the different engines with
GOODNESS and decision that could only have been
acquired by his long service as q fireman. When
the walls of the building commenced cracking and
giving way, he hurried up stairs to warn those in
side OF their danger, and had scarcely succeeded in
getting all out when the joists and ceiling came
crashing down, seeing which he sprang from
window to the ground. Some of the rubbish
striking him. he was rendered almost insensbe for
considerable time, being badly bruised upon
different portiens of the body and receiving Sc
we're cut upon the hand.
Mr.. w. a. Hume, member of No. S. seeing the
danger in which Capt. Whtaett was placed, rushed
forward to his assistance and was struck upon the
head and face by some falling bricks, from which
it is feared he will lose Of his eyes Mr.. c. B.
Butler, the President Of the No. 5's, remained III
the building until the walls commenced falling and
By a miracle escaped destruction, though not
without serious injury to of his legs Mr.. j.
G. Hallet, First Assistant Engineer Of the Fire De-
department. IN rescuing an fnsensbe friend from
pile of rubbish that had fallen npon him, received
a very painful wound on the foot, several Of the
bones being broken. Mr.. John McManns, another
member OF the No. SIS. was in the extreme rear OF
the building when it fell which rendered his escape
three otaers were seen with him a few moments
before the erash and it is feared that they persisted
also. Mr.. II. @. Hume and Mr.. Fart, OF the No,
rs, Mr.. Jas Bfodie Of the No. IS, Dan McClarty,
Of the No. 81 and several gentlemen not Hreraen,
were injured to greater or less extent, but none
Of them, we believe, very seriously
The total loss viii not be less than sl75 o00 The
estimate is made very superficial basis, but il
will be found to be nearly correct. Amid the ex-
citenent which existed it impossible to obtain
the exact amount. Of this, about sss, 900 was
saranee companies as follows !. Lonsdalefs agen-
eies $50 600 Chadwick & Wells agenciea $290 600;
Bluff City, Memphis, s2s 600 J fernando, 5000;
Desoto, 5000; Crooks agencies, $4,000 fetal,
500, 600.
The Bluff City Company, we understand had
about half Of their risks reinsursds and VIII lose
only sl2 ,000.
The building was owned by Mr.. John Oyerton,
and was worth at least s75 .o60 twas insured for
s33 000 In the following Offices Bluff City, Sl0,o0gs
Hartford 5000; De5oto, $4,000 Heruando,
$4,000; Tennessee, Marine and Fire, $4,000 total,
900.
The Avalanche gives the following account Of
| the second fire:
| discovered in the fourth story of the Calhoun
block, directly opposite the 0yerton Block, which
| was burned yesterday. At first it seemed but q
| speck but it kept increasing, and soon the root
over that portion of the building was in flames
| The ffernen, already tired out by their vigorous
| exertions during the day were slow In responding
| to the alarm Ihe steam ffe engine we waited
two hours to see in vain. When the fremen did at
last arrive there was no water in the cistern and
they were forced to remain idle and witness the
destruction Of one of the finest blocks in the city
The fire gradually spread resisting the puerie ef-
forts put forth to stay it. When we left the scene,
at half-past O'Clock this morning, the destruction
/ of the entire edifee seemed certain. The lower
portion of the building was occupied by Smith u
Co., dry goods and clothing merchants, and BY f.
F. Farnsworth & Co., druggists. Their losses it is
impossible to estimate.
The Calhoun Block was built two years since by
Col W. R. Hunt, at a cost of $54 600. 1t was in
sured for $4,000, $4,000 in the Bluff City $40, ,000
in the Hernando, $4,000 in the DeSoto, and $1,000
with Chadwick.
The building on Monroe street, occupied by
Bruce g. Co, as carriage manufactory, was 70
imminent danger, and may be reduced to ashes.
That adjoining the Calhoun Block, on Main street,
occupied by Hawks, Smith u Co, and j. g. Hoist,
was almost certain of destruction.
Il Thus, in one day, two of the most substantial
and frequented blocks on Main street have been
swept away The loss cannot fall short of $3.50 GOO
and will most probably exceed that amount; while
we write the utmost CONSERVATION prevails. The
origin of the fire is uncertain. Some think it was
the work of an incendiary while others assert i
caught from the 0yerton block. Ere our next issue
j the mystery may be unraveled.