The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-12-20
The Fire in 6hsrleston.

"a The Fire in Chafleston.
We give below short account Of the
great FIRE In Charleston. on tbe 11th and
18th. II was first discovered In shs SAD
and blind mandatory of W. p. Russell
D Co., foot Of Hassell street. Mr.. Russell
thinks 1t the work of an incendiary. -
The establishment had been closed, and
the furnace Of the boiler covered with
water before themen left. The proprietor
did not leave for an hour and half or
more after the workmen. When he left
everything was in order, and no sign of
fire or anything approaching to it. In
about an hour and n half afterwards Mr..
Russell heard the alarm of fire, and learn
ed that his establishment was on fire.
From these circumstances he iniers that
the fire was set or was the result of care
'lessness on the-pert of number of coun.
try negroes who had been quartercd UNI
der an old SHIELD adjoining the establish.
ment in allowing their camp fire to get
ahead Of them.
tFrom the Charleston Courier, of the l3th.l
TIE fearful conilagration that has Just
passed over our city will cause the 18th
and 18th of December, 1861, hereafter TO
be remembered as one OF those dark and
trying periods, which for the moment
seem to paralyze all the long cherished
hopes and bright anticipations of the flu
ture. We have been visited by one OF
those mysterious dispensations Of Provi-
dence, whichve cannot attempt to solve.
Our city has received terrible blow,
which IT will lake the work OF years TO
repair. Let VI nerve ourselves then for
another start thankful that we are still
left with the sanre bold spirit and strong
arms to make new, and, perhaps, more
substantial prosperity for our beloved city.
As was apprehended at the time OF
closing our brief report "Wednesday night,
the flames continued to increase in viru-
ience, and with the scarcity of water,
seemed to defy all human efforts TO arrest
them. Keeping on in Southwesterly
course, the roaring element rushed
through almost like forked lightning, and
commenced a work of destruction on
Queen and King streets, truly terrible
Roof after roof fell in, the fire rushed out
Of the windows and Tapped round the
buildings, presenting an awfully sublime
appearance. t-
All of a sudden il was announced that
that beautiful architectural structure, st.
Johns and st. Finbar's Cathedral, was in
flames. The pride of that portion of our
city was doomed to destruction, and it's
beautiful spire soon fell with a terrific
crash, sounding high above the devour-
ing flames. $500. .... d..
The fire rapidly extended to both sides
of Broad street, igniting several fine man.
sions near the corner of Logan and Ma
zyck streets, and including that time.
honored structure in Broad street, st.
Andrews Hall, which, in short time,
had nothing standing but the bare walls.
The flames spread right and lett, destroy
ing and making a clean sweep of fine
residences in Logan. New, Savage, Ma.
zycik and the lower end of Broad streets.
Nor could the work of destruction and
desolation be stayed had it not been that
the fire exhausted itself for want of ma
terial.
Having crossed the city from the Coop
er to the Ashley, the flames seemed to
make one last desperate struggle for ex-
istence in enveloping the large mansion
Of Mr.. w. lizard Bull at the foot of Tradd
street, and then yielded to its fate. send
ing its dying Kisses, as though scorning
the powers that SO CALAMITY resisted its
progress. .sa....
The loss of property has been variously
estimated at from five to seven millions
of dollars. had.
Five churches, namely: The Circular,
the Cumberland Methodist Church, st.
Peters .Chu( lin Logan street, st. Johns
and ST. Fin6Ms Cathedral in Broad street,
and the Quaker Meeting House in King
street, are included in the ruins. st.
Andrews Hall. Institute Hall, the two
Saving Institutions, the Theatre and large
Southern Express buildings are also gone.
The Mills House was only saved through
almost superhuman cxertions, and its
blackened walls attest the severe trial it
has undergone.