Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-02

OThcugh THK STAR In printed on the fastest
steam press In use south Of Baltimore, its edition
4, 90 large require II TO be put to press at an
early hour; Advertisements, therefore, should be
sent In before l2 O'Clock m; otherwise they may
not appear until the next day.
Norrcx.-District Of Columbia Advertisements
to be inserted in the BALrrmoRK Bun are received
at and forwarded from THE STAR once.
Destructive FIRK.-About three O'Clock this
morning, fire broke out In the building owned
byMr. W. II. Philip, and occupied az a grocery
store by Mr.. Henry c. Purdy, south side Of Penn.
avenue, between Four-and-a-half and Sixth SITS /,
with adjoining buildings on either side, and de,
stroying nearly one hundred thousand dollars
worth OF property. The leading cause Of the fire
proving SO destructive may be stated In the fact
that on Yesterday the Potomac water was shut OF
from the avenue, from Eighth st west TO the Navy
Yard, by order of the Government, leaving all
that section of the city in no condition to suppress
a confagration. When discovered, the FIRE had
communicated through several stories Of Purdy's
building, and In a short time made Its way into
the house Of Mr.. Nj. G.. Emery, which was occu-
pied principally by Ar. f. Stever, plumber
aud gas filter. This house was soon wrapped In
flames; and the adjoining house on the east
owned by the estate of Raphael Semmes, was next
fred and destroyed. This house was occupied az
a grocery store and dwelling, by Mr.. William c.
the entire stock and furniture of the occupant
The flames rapidly spread to the next house,
owned by Mr.. John Nj. Young, coach maker, and
occupied by him as coach factory; nearly all his
stock Of carriages, lumber, unfinished work, ma
terials of all kinds, and tools, were destroyed,
together with the entire building. The build
the Adelphi Theatre The fire had made such
Roadway now that although the water had been
turned Into the mains no efforts Of the fremen
could avail to stopit. The house owned by Muir
4 Sam nj cd hut hat Rrr,, tba
grocery trade, was entirely destroyed though the
major part Of the stock was saved, in damaged
condition Adjoining the coach factory of Mr..
John Nj Young, the coach factory of Mr.. Thomas
Young was slia htly damaged; the stock was not
removed nor damaged. Adjoining Harper's store
on the west, the building owned by Mr.. John p
lngle, and occupied by Mr.. John F: Bridget,
coachmaker, was considerably damaged. Mr. b.
saved large portion II his stock Of carriages and
materials
! The drill armory Of the Washington Light In
fantry was situated In the fifth story Of Philips
building, and all their effects, consisting of uni
forms, accoutrements, flags, valuable paintings
furniture cases, etc, were destroyed. Their pri-
vate loss 10 $500 to $500, Independent Of the Gov
erDment property, which consisted Of 26O sets of
equipments complete, and ~ drill muskets. The
company lose 100 new knapsacks, 81 pictures $50
to 800 volumes of books, Is or 20 full uniforms,
company flag, and other articles the value Of
which cannot be accurately ascertained. The
battalion tent equ page had been removed to the
National Armory. The insurance policy on the
effects In their armory had only expired a few
days
Below we give statement of the losses sustai ned
and the amount Of insurance, far as We are able
20 ascertain through the courtesy of the agents of
the several Insurance companies which suffer by
the FIRE:
Philips's house, valued at $4,000. Insured In
franklin Company ID. CO. for 5000; Etna Hart
ford) for IS 600.
Purdys stock, valued a. 500 Insurance.
Tin Firemen's and Potomac Companies,) 81 500.
Emery's house, valued at Sl2 90. Insured in
Mutual Company ID. c. for 81 900; Etna Hart
ford) for 81 600.
stevens stock, saved In a damaged condition,
and loss covered by insurance.
House owned by the Raphael Semmes estate
valued at g 600. Insured in Potomac Company
Harper's stock all destroyed; LOSSES 600, and no
insurance Furniture saved.
]. p. Ingle's house, valued at 81 900, damaged
TO the estimated extent Of 81 900. Insured in the
Franklin Company ID. c. for g., 100.
Bridgetts stock, valued at 81 600. Insured I'm
Mutual Company ID. } for 8, 600. Loss estimated
at 81 600.
John NJ. Young's building and stock, valued a,
$50 900, totally destroyed, and no insurance
Murray & Semmes's house, valued at SO 900;
stock, valued at SIS, 600. House insured In Fire.
mems and Washington Companies for 50 900 and
S2OO0i stock insured in Firemen's, Franklin
and washington Companies for IS 900, IS 600
and 5000. Loss IS 600.
Thomas Young's house, valued at $4,000,
damaged to the extent Of 81, 900. Loss covered by
insurance.
In John M. Young's building, Messrs w. III
Il o. H Morrison, booksellers, had stored large
quantity OF valuable books (archives, State Papers
Congressional Globes, a large portion OF which
were saved from the flames by the exertions Of
those engaged IN the work Of rescue. The book,
Were insured in the Etna Company Hartford) fol
1000.
Mr.. Purdy informs us that his store, when be
reached Ii, was on fire In many az five different
places; that his safe was broken open and 500
distracted therefrom. The store was entered, he
h. hNnr AZ kfnk
tty Of straw was piled and burning when the
fire was first discovered
The several fire companies were present and
rendered good service, as soon as the water could
be got at. Their exertons, as well as those of The
watchmen, In saving the goods Of the occupant,
Of the buildings destroyed, are worthy Of all
praise.
NEW YEARS DAY IN ALEXANDRIA The New
Years greeting of friends, and the exuberance OF
Young America, together with the eddying throng
OF rusncity, farmers In pursuit Of - help and
darkies anxiously awaiting the result of bring
kept up In Alexandria, according to the Gazette
an excitement through the day that has only been
equalled upon previous occasions of like char
acter. At an early hour the crowds begun to iock
into the city. and before noon five or six hundred
persons had collected at " Cats - I'm the WI
End where the slave hiring for the year is trans
acted The usual speculations of cake dealers
were vigorously prosecuted among the "cullud
pussons, " who were Of course &c fiusho Of change
while the incessant hurry Of farmers chaffering
about the prices, and the unrestrained mrth OF
the negroes, presented animated picture of life
and enjoyment. Champion jig dances entertai ned
admring crowds; pugilistic darkies exhi bited
their muscle La heenan; "nghting whisky
displayed its power In more sangninary combats
signing Lotharios nourished the tender passion In
the hearts Of sable damsels with sundry offerings
OF kisses" and horsecakes;" while fiddle,
screeched aad crackers snapped until the shade.
Of night drove all from the streets to the more
genial atmosphere Of the baf-rooms, where the
jubilee was kept up until the small hours gave
warning OF the approaching labors Of another day
Notwithstanding the flow Of bad spirits, no Sc
rious results happened from the pugilistc en-
counters Of the day, and all returned to theii
homes with an opinion that they had enjoyed
Themselves rio Mt The xatta th,