The mountain Democrat., 1865-04-08
Bvnsuo o. run CATnoL,c Cuupcu-AbOu

1UHHna o. SIS CATRoLIc CHuRcH.-About
stehs O'Clock on Tuesday night, while our eiti-
ssus WUro celebrating the occupation of Rich.
mond ey 0rautS forces. in high old carnival
styk, st. PAtriek'S Church, on Sacramento
street, was discovered to be on FIRE. During
The day the wind rAged fnriously, but short
time before the Ere Il fortu natey lulled; IL it
had not, the fire would certainly have been ter
ribly destructive. The fire bells were thought.
lesSly rung all day, which had tendency to
deceive the 6remen, and when the alarm was
given but lew paid any attention to il at first
aAd the fire was under full Roadway IN the
church and the flames issuing from the roof
before the engines started from their houses
When the 6remen reached the church it was
completely wrapped IN flames, and the dwelling
house Of Father Largan Immediately above i
was burning rapidly. 1t was impossible to
savs it The church with all its contents, its
6ne paintings and rich ornaments and costly
vestments and solid plate and precious gifts,
together with the dwelling of Father LarCan
were totally destroyed. The vestments and
plate were the property of Father Largan. His
aged mother and young lady residing with
her. escaped With only the clothing they had
on their persons, 80 6ercely and rapidly did the
flames lick up their dwelling. The rest of their
clothing shared the fate of the church. Some
furniture was saved. but in a damaged condi
ton. The FIRE, it Is believed, was the work of
"a incendary. There had been no fire in the
church and income had entered it since Sunday
Hope Hook and Ladder Company did efficient
services, and by the prompt and untiring ex
ertl0nS OF hremen and others, the house Of Mr.
Pbipps, next above Father Largans, was saved
The Engines were not used, owing to the alb
sence OF cisterns in that part of the CITY, and
water had to be carried in buckets The houses
Of Nessrs. Phipps and Thatcher were saved by
ths slow way OF drenching them with water.
REIoIc1xc ON the receint If thn ,ntolI;ooroo
on Tuesday last, Of the occupation of Peters.
burg aud Richmond by the troops under Gen
Grant, our citizens determined to celebrate the
memorable event instantly and in grand style
RouSiug cheers were given, flags were flung
to the breeze, stores closed, business suspend.
ed, cannon fred, church. school and hire bells
rung, fire crackers plentifuIly touched off and
saloons freely visited. In the afternoon the
military companies with music paraded through
our streets and fred salutes at different places.
The Plscerville Brass Band played several airs
10 front Of the Cary House, which attracted q
large crowd and increased the enthusiasm
American citizens Of African descent" intox.
icated with joy or something else, marched
through the streets cheering for Wcitzel and
bis command. All seemed pleased and vast
majority considerably exhilerated. A Police
man, in the exuberance of his joy. with un.
steady gate, paraded through the streets blow
ing his whistle constantly and fiercely. State,
So1uY AIV cry o"ceTS were elateu anu mani
tested it BY embracing everything from an in
vitation to take drink to a lamp-post. Excite
ment and enthusiasm were intense and could
only be allayed by smiling repeatedly. Placer
vile was on q bender and the utmost good.hu-
NOR prevailed. In the evening several gentle
men, noted for their retiring modesty and aver.
sion to Office, oppressed with patriotism, opened
their safety.valves in the Theatre to spirited
audience and let off steam. 1t saved them
from bursting. A ball at Upper PIaeerville
closed the "day's entertainment"