The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1864-10-15
ANOTHER GREAT FIRE IN AUBURN
So HOUSES DESTROYED.
LOSS AND DAMAGES OVER s33, 200

LOSS AND DAMAGES OVER s33, 900.
The fourth time in the history Of Auburn
are we called upon to make the unwecome
announcement of destructive conhagration,
which has laid in ashes considerable por,
ton Of the town, and Inflicted serious loss
upon its inhabitants.
AT o'clock, yesterday morning, the cry
of fire and the rapid ringing of the Court
House bell, told our citizens that the dreaded
element was again at the work Of destruc.
ton. The fire broke out in house, occu.
pied by Chinese, near the top of the hill on
Sacramento street, and although the morn
ing was calm, with scarcely a breath OF air
stirring, it soon became evident that, from
the compactness of the buildings on the
west side of the street, and the fact that
they were all built Of dry, infammable ma.
buildings were generally occupied by Chi.
nese, and although the fire made but slow
progress, yet the iueficency of these people
prevented them from saving many of their
effects. For long time the fire was con-
fined TO the west side of the street, working
down toward the American Hotel. To
check it in that direction, several buildings
were pulled down in order to make cap
that would not be crossed by the fiery ele.
ment This proved useless, however, as the
flames enveloped building after building,
until they reached the brick walls of the
American, that once more (and for the third
time in the great con1agratons in Auburn)
proved an etf'ectual barrier. The tongues
of fire twisted aud Tapped about that de
vouted house, but its staunch walls of brick
and iron stayed the destroyer in that drec-
ton, and saved the buildings that have been
erected on the burnt district of last year.
This was not accomplished without conf
siderable work, as it was necessary to pull
down the frame and out buildings attached
to the American, in order to save the main
structure, Keehners saloon and bakery, and
Stautons Livery Stable. The number of
buildings destroyed on that side of the street
was twenty-five
For long time it was hoped that the fire
would not extend to the east side of the
street, but the heat was SO intense, and the
materials Of the structures so inflammabe
with no facilities for checking it, but by
throwing on water with buckets, or spreading
wet blankets on the houses that ignition
could not be prevented; and finally, with
the same slow but certain course the fire
communicated to that side. and taking one
building after another, threatened to con,
sumo the main business portion of the town.
This was the critical moment, and grave
apprehensons were felt for the safety Of the
whole town. But sufficient force of men.
after considerable exertion, were collected
together, to fight the fire at LEWIS brick
building, and after ten minutes of sharp
work, BY forming lines and passing water
rapidly, aud throwing it upon the right spot,
the fire was checked and further destruction
stayed. Ten buildings were destroyed on
the east side of the street, principally occu-
pied by white persons.
hOI6 vi 1000 uduId8c was luulClCl upon
buildings in the neighborhood of the fire
that were saved, in the tearing down of
awnings, breaking down doors and fixtures.
and in the hasty removal of goods and
effects. Even from the buildings burned,
more goods were saved than has been usual.
except perhaps, with the Chinese, on account
of the slow progress Of the fire.
The majority Of the houses DESTROYED were
occupied by Chinese, and several of their
merchants have lost heavily. They had no
insurance. The buildings were generally
owned by white persons, but that portion
occupied by Chinese were cheap structures
The building of Reed & French is the only
firelproof destroyed. This was occupied by
Chinese, with large stocks of goods. In
their fright they failed to close the back
doors, and in consequence the goods were
destroyed, and the house completely Quilted,
leaving but the bare walls standing. Had
the Chinese possessed their wits but for a
moment, house and goods would have sus
tanned but little injury.
The origin of the fire is not known, but is
believed TO be the work of an ncendiary
Several Chinese merchants here have been
quarrelng and litigatng for some time; and
on Thursday, we are informed, the stock of
goods was attached in the house where the
fire started. If this is true, rigid scrutiny
into the matter should be instituted by the
proper officers.
Subjoned is list of the losses, as accu-
rate as we have been able to obtain them, ia
the hurry and excitement of the day:
WEST SIDE OF SACRAMENTO STREET.
John Biickman, blacksmith shop, S $50.
Reed IL French, two frame build
ings, and brick store destroyed, ex-
cept walls of building, $500
- Payette, building, 100
A. F. Cove, 8 buildings, 1000
VIM. Duncan, two buildings, 800
Ed. Holly, two buildings, &C., 1850
Thos. STANLEY, one building, 500