Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-08
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
Burning of the PIaning-1Ein at the
Corner of Seneca and ChRmpiain
6freets-LOss Of Property

blEeels-LADaa VI
About balf-after eight O'Clock Saturday
evening, fire was discovered in the planning
mill Of H. Moeler, at the corner Of Sene-
ca and Champlain streets. The fire, con-
eerning the origin of which we have no in
formation, had made great progress
before being discovered, and on account
OF the great number of shavings
and other inAammable substances in
the building, spread and blazed with great
rapidity and fereeness. The alarm was
soon communicated to the steam fire de-
partment, and all the engines were on hand
and at work as speedily as possible. Be-
fore they had got fairly in operation, how
ever, it became obvious that it would be
impossible to save the building, which
was, in the inside, one mass of flame, and
from the roof of which fierce sea Of fire
billowed in burning waves. The spectacle
afforded by the fire was most magnificent
one, and a crowd of thousands, drawn part
ly by curiosity and partly by personal in
terest and anxiety, gathered to behold it.
The fiery cloud of sparks which rose from
the flames threatened to spread the confa-
grafton far and wide, and, had the wind
been high, no one could have predicted the
extent to which it would have swept. As
it was, the house on the south side of the
mill caught fire, and was extinguisbed by
the prompt efforts of our fremen--rhs.-A
vigilance and activity alone prevented the
flames from spreading in all directions. The
building was however completely gutted,
the brick wall only being left. The fire
ragged till nearly midnight, the engines
playing on itabOut three hours and half
Nearly all the wooden work of the build
ing, together with its entire contents, was
destroyed, and il stood yesterday a mere
shell-the inside heaped with charred and
blaekened debris.
The building was owned by DR.. William
Meyer, and was a total loss, there being no
insurance upon it. The upper story
was used by J. II. Moeller as
planning mill, and contained a valuable
machine for doing scroll work. The lower
story was occupied by Mr. Wheeler, the
manufacturer of Wheeler's Patent Water
Drawer :; by j. Reidenbach, as a flour and
feed store by Mr.. Richter, as a manulactory
Of wooden faucets; by Mr.. Kitzsteimer,
as mill for the manufacture of pearl bar
ley, and by MIR. Schmitt as piano manu-
factory. The various manufactories con-
tanned large amount ofvaluable material,
and considerable fIOur,hay, oats, barley &C.,
was also stored in the building. We are
unable, on account Of the number involved
in the loss, to make any estimate
Of its amount, but in cannot fall far
short Of $4,000, if indeed it does
not exceed that figure. But little, if any,
of this loss is covered by insurance. We
learn that Mr.. Kitzsteimer effected in
suranee to the amount Of $500 on his prop
erty day or two since, being Just in the
nick of time. No other portion of the lost
property, as far as we learn, was insured.
Detective NJ. Gallagher was not loser, |
having sold out his flour and feed store, in
that building, almost six weeks ago.
The history of the structure affords
a curious instance of the vicissitudes to
which buildings, as well as men, are liable.
1t has been everything by turns and |
nothing long" 1t is one of the oldest
in the city, being built, originally,
for Baptist Church, and used by that de-
nomination for several years. 1t was then
leased as q Court House, and the sessions of
The Court of Common Pleas of CuyahOga
County were held in it foI some time. Il
Ees then transformed into German the
re, and became, suecessively, theatre,
ianceLouse, and gymnasium. Having
.hus served an apprenticeship to religion,
o law, and to the MUSES., it was devoted to
and passed into the last stage
# its existence. Rarely can building
lain 50 curious and changeful a history.
OUR on MARKET REPosT.-The following
etter, from our telegraphie correspondent
n Pittsburgh, explains the reason why he
las ceased to send us the usual report of
he oil market there. 1t viii be found to
,e Of interest to dealess IN oil.
P1TTsBURGH, Aug, 2, 1864.
EDIroRs LEADER:-I have left otftelegraph-
ng for the last eight days on account Of {
Ii business in the oil market being nearly /
There has been no transaction,
ither in crude or refined, for some days
nd business is still heavy. Buyers and | {
ellers differ widely in their views and al [
hough some concessions have been
made by holders, it is not deemed sufii-
lent by buyers. The prices at pres
mt are nominal at 81 cents for crude in
ulk, and Al cents barrels included. IN re-
med, no transactions have been made for
ONE time. Contracts made for August
elivery are ready, and in few cases buy
rs rather pay the difference than take
he oil. There are no quotations for refined.
learn that "a cents was offered for prime |
ity brand and refused .-. ....-
Naphtha is selling at "a TO 35; free 60 to (
3 cents.
Should the market get mere an imated
nd correct quotations can be given, l shall !
esume telegraphing. -.-
Respectfully,