The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-05
A DEsoLArING FIRE.-Another sad ca

travellers visiting our city, is extinguished in it
own ashes This sad misfortune occurred Oh
last Sunday night. The fire broke out at abou
halt past twelve o'clock, in q back wing Of th'
building, occupied as a kitchen, and was suppos
| ed to have originated by means of some kindlin!
wood which had been placed under the kitchen
| stove.
The landlord, Mr. NJ. Hudson, was almost i'm
medately alarmed, as his family rooms were il
the east wing of the main building, Immediately
adjoining the kitchen.
His FIRST effort, after removing his family, wa
directed to securing portion of his family eff
fects, but in vain. He had removed bureau
containing silver plate, and other valuables, bu
it was caught by the flames just before he haG
placed it beyond reach, and he was compelled to
abandon it,
The fire circulated through the entire building
with such race. horse speed that it was found al
most impossible to save anything, although the
alarm was promptly given, and hundreds were
speedily on the spot, anxious to render such as
sstance "a was in their power. The boarders
had just time to dress, seize a few articles OF
private property, and decamp, when the rooms
were occupied by a more unwecome guest.
In All astonishingly brief space Of time the en-
tire building was wrapt in flames that made the
whole city bright as day, and cast lurid light
over the face of the sky. We were early awak.
cned, and reached the spot as soon as possible,
but not until the roof of the building had fallen
in, and only the walls remained, which were be-
ing fast consumed by the devouring element.
As the wind blew from the west south west
the flames quickly communicated 10 the Lansing
House barn, and the barns aud sheds OF the Stage
Company ot d. b. Hubbard Il Co, which adjnin-
ed the Lansing House on the east, and these
were also destroyed with all their contents OF
hay, grain, &c. The coaches, horses, and other
movable property were rescued
Immediately on the south OF the Lansing House
were two one story buildings the first occupied
by the hands Of the Lansing House and Stage
Co. and the second occupied by the Stage and
Express office. These were burned, though for
tunately the contents of the Express Office were
entirely unframed.
Next the Express Office was and half
story building which was partly burned, and part
" pulled down. Here the fire arrested in
ts destructive course, although the next building
owned by the Messrs. cigars, was very much
damaged. a. its blackened side adjoining the
burnt district fully attests.
Had it not been for the heavy rain that had
fallen during the previous day, and the fore part
of the night, much greater amount of damage
must have been done. The livery stable of NJ.
j. Daniels. directly opposite the stage barn north,
was seriously threatened, and caught fire a num-
perseverng efforts.
Torrent No. l, and the Hook and Ladder Com
pany were promptly on hand, and rendered such
assistance as was in their power. As the only
was in the Capitol square. the distance was too
great to enable our Fire company to do such ef-
fective service as they might otherwise have
done. Had they been in possession of an add
tioE al one hundred feet of hose, they might have
arrested the fire much sooner, and enabled much
valuable property to oe saved.
There ought certainly to have been large
reservoir IN the centre of the Avenue at the
crossing near the Lansing House. Had such a
reservoir existed there, it might have rendered
effective aid in some two or three fires that have
within but short space of time occurred in that
immediate neishborhood. There ought, also, tC
be like reservoirs at three crossings north, or
Michigan Avenue az destructive fires are liable
at any time to occur, and the business part o.
our city is almost wholly unguarded. The care
lessness of our business men in this matter is as
tonishing and cupable.
1t is impossible to ascertain definitely the
amount of damage done, and We must conten,
ourselves with guess work. The Lansing House
was the property of NJ. P. Marvin, and his esti.
mated loss is $4,000. No Insurance
The loss of N. Hudson, is also estimated al
IS, 900. Insurance $4,000.
Hubbard l. Co., 81, 900. No Insurance.
N. W. Edgar, 5000.
Quite a number of the residents of the Lansing
House met with losses Mr. Geo. H. Hoase, Dep
u'y Secretary of State, lost nearly all his privat.
effects. He was away at the IIme win MS raml
ly, on short visit, taking with him, beside wear
ing apparel, only a coat and one pair of panta
looms, and his wife what clothing she could pack
in small trunk. On his return night before
last, he found the balance non est inrentus. III,
estimates his loss at $500. His chief regret il
the loss of a valuable private library.
A Miss Elizabeth McNaley, an employee of tn,
house, also lost SIS in cash. These are the prin
cipal losses of this kind that have been reported
| We cannot close this account of misfortun,
that will be severely felt by ourci,y, without ex
pressing the general sentiment held BY the com
munity toward Mr.. Hudson, the proprietor of tn
Lansing House. He has been among US but
few years, yet by his quiet and gentlemany de
pertinent. and the many excellent qualities
has exhibited in the position he was so well ftte
to occupy, he has won host of friends, and tn
regret at his serious losses is heartfelt and un
versal
GKN. SCorr's INFORMATION CONCERNING tn
MOVEMENTS OF THE Observation-Disclosures
the Washington correspondent of the Phade
phia Press, writes:
"SOme curious stories are told of the mann,
in which the veteral COMMANDMENT. Chief receive
information Of the preparations and plans of tt
secessiOnists. Although nothing is made publ,
think when the annals of these times come
be written, more than one Harvey Birch will b