American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-07-20
Fire and Loss CT Life.

Fire and Loss CT Life.
AT about quarter past three O'Clock on
Tuesday morning last, the Livery Stable of
Mr. j. III. 0zier was discovered to be on FIRE.
The fire originated in the loft among the fod-
der, and as the building was of weather.
boarding, of course the flames spread with
fearful rapidity. The fire almost Immediate
iy communicated to the two-story Grocery
Store and carriage shop of Ozier, on the
West, and to the carpenters shop of Fitchett
kenoyer, on the East, THERE spreading to
the two-story building owned by L. Remover.
occupied as Grocery Store by Mr.. Hud-
speth, and to the dwelling house and other
buildings of Dir. Kenoyer-all of which were
entirely consumed. Here, owing to the for
tunate and timely shifting of the wind from
Southwest to Southeast, the confiaeration
was checked. 1t was only by almost suner-
human exertions that the Blacksmith Shop
and Carriage Repository on the West side of
the street, opposite the Livery Stable owned
by Mr. A. D. Barlow, were saved from the de-
vouring element. The blacksmith shop was
on fire once or twice, and the heat was so
intense as to be almost beyond human endur-
albeit not accustomed to fighting the flames,
mad sufficient courage, perseverance and en-
durance to mount the roof, tear off the burn
Ing shingles, and remain in the very face of
Che scorching element until the building was
out of danger. Had it not been for these
fen, the building would certainly have been
destroyed, and with it, probably, a half dozen
other buildings on the South side of the
street.
But the most painful part of this disaster
is yet to be told. The proprietor of the Liy-
cry Stable, Mr.. Joel H. Ozier, slept in the
Office liz the front part of the stable. 1t was
supposed by every one, while the fire was
raging, that he had made his escape from the
building; and the probability favored this
superstition, as two negroes, a man and a
boy, who also slept in the stable, were seen
TO be out. But alas Mr.. Ozier was not so
fortunate. When the building had burnt al
most entirely down, and his absence began to
be noticed by every one, his body was discoy-
cred lying in the midst of the flames, about the
spot where his bed stood, being almost en-
tirely consumed only little flesh remaining
on the under side of his chest and hips. 1t
Is evident that Mr.. Ozier awoke, if at all, too
late to make any effort to escape.
Seven horses and three mules were also
consumed with the stable
The origin of the fire is involved in impen-
CURED, 81 o'clock, preeludes The idea, from
our mind, that it was an accldent. 1t was
evidently the work of an incendiary.
1t is thought by many, tiat dr. Ozier was
first murdered and robbed, and then the
building fred to hide all traces of the crime.
It is known that he had considerable money
In his possession, as he was to have started
to New Orleans the next evening, to lay in a
supply of Groceries 1t is said that he had
exchanged considerable paper money during
the day for silver and gold, and nothing
could be found of this coin, it gives plausi-
bility to the idea that he was murdered and
robbed. But nothing has been elected be-
yond the facts above mentioned to confirm
the belief.
The losses by the fre-as near as we can
ascertain them-are as follows:
Mr.. Ozier, Carriage-house, Stables, Store
house, carriages, buggys, horses, harness,
saddles, Groceries, also books, notes and
counts, the whole computed at $4,000.
Mr. Hudspeth, estimates his stock of Gro
ceries, &C., at $4,000.
Lewis Kenoyer, in buildings, furniture, &C.,
about $1,000. Fitchett Kenoyer, in burial
cases. fine hearse, &C., about $4,000.
The upper story of Offers store-house was
occupied by Murphy Harrison as a carriage
repairing and trimming shop, and we pre-
sumo their loss is considerable, though
have not heard how much.
A valuable horse belonging to Judge Bal
ley was consumed in the livery stable of
Mr.. Ozier.
We learn that neither of the gentlemen
above named, had any assurances upon their
property
& The Blacksmith of Mr.. Barlow, and
the Carriage-house of Mr.. G. Pearce were
damaged to some extent. They are fully COW
cred by insurance.
The remains of Mr.. Ozier were followed to
the grave, Tuesday afternoon, by large
number of friends, and the "Home Guard of
which he was member.