Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-31
From the Charleston Courier.

At early hour Friday morning fte broke cut in
the three story brick building North side Of Broad
street. Church, owned by ard adjoining the large
Grocery store OF Messrs klinck, Wckenberg Co. The
formerly occupied By MIR. A. j. Burke, printing
establishment The second story was used by J. B
Campbell and J. Nathans, Esq'rs., Law Offices
The fire communicated to the adjoining building the
East, the lower story formerly kept by B. Ford g
boot and shoe store, and the upper stories Law eff
ces by Messrs. Brown u Porter, and Others The
premises were owned by D.. Jos. S. Inglesby. These
two buildings were entirely consumed
During the progress Of this fire another discovered
at the Southwest corner of Churchstreet and ST Mich
aers alley, which destroyed range of four very Old
buildings, besides the Charleston Cotton Press, The
kitchen and cut buildings attached to the old bathing
establishment on Church street also the building occu'
pied by the German Turner'S Association as Hall
situated in the rear, between Church and Meeting
street, belonging to Mr. j. j. Mclean.
The house of Mrs. Ann NJ. Browne, No. 43 Tradd-
street, sust lined some damage by the sparks igntpg
ard burning the roof.
The residence of Mr.. A J. Burke, No 80 Tradd-
street. also took fire several times, tut extingush
ed without material damage.
A house the North side of Tradd,street, near
Meeting, also fIe, but it extingushed with
tri1ing damage
The loss by fire is estimated at moderate cacula-
ton at between hundred and one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. The most seeious is the Cotton
Press Owned by Mr. VIM. Il. Walker, who also owned
toe house adjoining which was consumed. The other
three buildings in the range mentioned above the
property respectively Of VIM Callahan, Mrs. Love
green and j. POznanski.
The property known as the bathing establishment
formerly occupied by Mrs. Bear, belonged to MIR. Dan
ie Horbeck. We have net been able to learn the
amount OF loss covered by insurance.
The alarm was first given by Captain Hale, of the
Observatory but from some mistake the bell Was not
rung the alarm extended for fully three quarters OF
an hour afterwards, in consequence of which some of
the arrived at the place without sufficient force
to work them. Capt. W. }. Gayer, Provost Marshal,
who was in attendance, Immediately sent and obtained
the assistance Of detachment of men from Col. Ro-
bers regiment OF reserves, and also dispatched mss
senger to Col. Rhett, who repaired to the spot and
ordered detail of men from the First s. c. Regular
Artillery These, together with the fremen succeeded
in checking the progress of the fire. and preventing
what it was unprecedented would be an extensive cora
grafton.
Notwithstanding the great danger to which they
were exposed, the tiremen and military kept to their
work until The fire had been subdued, and too much
praise cannot be awarded to Mr.. E. FeURGEAUD, Act.
ing Chief and Others having the direction affairs
Some few casualties occurred from the falling OF pOr-
ton of the walls in Broad street. and flying bricks.
&rhe following are the names ol those injured:
German FIRE Engine Company-Johl Doacher,
severely Chas. Berger and Henry Funk, slightly.
Charleston Fire Comp0ny-T. Murray, woundsd in
the leg.
Private 7. Leddy, of the police wounded in the leg,
slight
Captain Po1Uels Company of Reserves-Sergt.
W. Z. McClmans, slight, IN the arm; Privates Elijah
Belnger, thigh severe; Thomas Brown hip and neck,
severe; Walker Meadows, thigh, severe.
The origin of the fire has not as yet been positively
taned but it is generally attributed to iDcendiar
ism. Captain HALE reports distinctly seeing man
applying a torch to the German Turner's Hall, and
notified the police to that effect.