The national Republican., 1861-01-03
L OCAL N NEW s.


several young men passing opposite Mr.. Hen
ry @. Purdy's grocery store, on Pennsylvania |
avenue, between Third and -Four and.a half
streets, were somewhat surprised at not seeing |
a light burning in that gentleman's store, II |
being known to them that such was his custom, |
as q matter Of precaution, one of them remark. |
ing that it was "strhnge Purdy was not illumi
mated tonight" They paid no further atten.
ton to the circumstance until they arrived at
the corner of Ninth street, when the alarm OF
fire was given. Returning very hastily in that |
direction, they discovered that fire was issuing |
from the store Of Mr. Purdy. The FIRE spread
very rapidly, there being but few persons about
to render assistance at the commencement Of
the fire, communicating TO the adjoining build.
ings on either side.
II was first discovered by some gamblers in
house on the opposite side of the street, who
instantly gave the alarm. In a very short time,
FIVE large buildings were completely wrapped
in flames, and the damage done will probably
not fall short of $4,000.
The Columbia, Franklin, Perseverance, and
other companies, were soon on the ground, and
rendered ell the aid in their power, being as.
sisted in their laudable work by many Of our
prominent citizens. Others, too feeble to ren.
der assistance in any other way, freely opened
their purses, and paid for refreshments for
those who did.
When first discovered, the FIRE had commu.
nicated through several stories Of Purdy's build
ing, and, few moments afterwards, it had
worked its way into the building belonging to
Mathew G. Emery, Esq, and occupied by Mr..
Z. z. Steever, plumber and gasftter. From
these it flew thick and fast in all directions,
nearly everything operating to the disadvantage
of those engaged in the effort to save the prop.
erty. On the day before, the Potomac water
had been shut off on Pennsylvania avenue,
from the Navy Yard to Eighth street west, by
order of the Government authorities, leaving
all that portion Of the city without the ability
to suppress any conaagrationthat might occur.
In addition to this, the hose in the possession
of the different fire companies was in such bad
order, that it was constantly breaking, thereby
rendering their efforts powerless to some extent
A very dense fog was prevailing at the time,
which also prevented the light of the flames
from being seen in distant portions of the city
until they had attained considerable headway.
Companies A and B of the Washington Light
Infantry occupied the fourth story of Purdy's
building as a drill armory, and sustained loss
of nearly 81 900, consisting Of l20 knapsacks,
about 300 volumes of books, l9 full uniforms,
large number Of pictures, one company flag,
and many other articles. Among them was a
picture Of the battle of Yorktown, presented to
the company by the late George Washington
ing, the first pioneer of the company. There
was also q stand of so drill muskets and $50
complete sets of equipments in the armory, all
of which we're destroyed. We understand that
it is the intention of the Infantry to give COLI
cert on Thursday night next, for the purpose
of reimbursing their losses. We think the
idea is good one, and hope it will be literally
patronized.
The building of the Colonization Society on
the corner of Four.and-half street. which las
not yet been completed, was damaged TO a
small degree by the smoke and water.
The coach factory Of Mr.. Thomas Young,
adjoining, was not much injured. Mr.. Young
estimates his loss at about 81 900.
Next to Mr.. Thomas Young's coach factory
was the grocery store of Murray & Semmes.
The building was entirely destroyed, but much
of the goods were saved. The building was
insured in the Washington and Firemens In,
surance Companies for $5,0O0-$2,000 in the
latter and $4,000 in the former. Their stock
was insured as follows: in the Firemen's,
$4,000; in the Franklin, $4,000; and in the
Washington, $4,000. Total loss, about $4,000
Adjoining Murray Il Semmes, was the coach
factory of Mr.. John NJ. Young, in the old Adel
phi building. Nearly all his stock of carriages
materials, and unfinished work, were destroyed
When the fire reached this factory, it had made
such headway that nothing could stop it, al
though every effort was used by the gallan
firemen that could contribute to that end. The
building and stock, which were valued at abou
$25,OO0 were entirely destroyed. There wal
no insurance whatever.
Messrs. w. H. h o. H. Morrison, bookseller
and stationers, whose store is Immediately op
poste, had stored large quantity of valuable
books, principally Congressional works aht
State Papers, in this building, portion o
which were saved. The books were insured
for $1,000 in the Etna Insurance Company
Hartford, Connecticut.
Next adjoining was the grocery store Of MI
Purdy, where the fire was first discovered. Tn
building was owned by Mr.. W. FL. Philip, an
was valued at $ll 900. 1t was insured in tn
Etna Insurance Company Hartford, Conn.
for $4,000, and in the Franklin Insuranc
Company of this city for $4,000. Mr.. Purdy'
stock is estimated to be worth $4,000, upo
which there is an insurance in two of tn
Washington companies of $500.
In the second story Of this building was MI
gees bowling saloon, in which everything wa
lost. The Infantry armory was also IN th
: building.
E.Z. Steevers plumbing and gas6tting e.
tablshment was adjoining. He saved most {
his stock, though in a damaged condition. Fl
loss is covered by insurance. The building
which is owned by Mr.. M. G. Emery, is value
at $1,000, upon which there is an insurane
of$6,000.
Next to this building was the grocery
William G. Harper. This building is owne
by Mrs. Raphael Semmes, of Georgetown, an
is valued at $780, 1t is insured in the p
tomac Insurance Company, of Georgetown, fl
$4,000. The building was destroyed, togeth'
with the entire stock and portion of the flu
niture of Mr.. Harper, who was the sole occ
pant of the house. His loss is about "a 90
upon which there is no insurance. Mr.. Ha
per's insurance had run out only few da
before, and it was his intention to have renew'
it on the very day of the fire, business haviI
been so very dull as to leave him without Il