The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-07-18

insured for 5000 In the Metropolitan nnd
Niagara Insurance companies.
Judge Fox's library, loss $4,000.
Judge Clifford's library, loss $4,000; nc
insurance.
Merrill 4 Small. Wholesale clothing and
trimming, No. las Middle street, loss, S15,
600; fully insured in the Lorrillard and
Hartford companies.
Churchill. browns 4 Mason, loss, $50,
600; well insured.
The Dispatch then gives the names OF
20 prominent business firms" who we're
"totally burned out"
The store Of Emery g. Waterhonse hard
ware, on Middle street, singularly was
passed by the sea Of flames unscathed.
though everything was swept on each eide
The Portland society Of Natural History,
for second time, has lost its valuable col
lechon, misfortune which will appeal to
the generosity Of other societies throughout
the country.
1t is estimated that 1000 buildings are
burned, and property destroyed to the
amount of $4,000, 900, which is probably
insured about half.
The state valuation was SOS, 600, 900. and
the real valuation must be over $50, 600, 900
Fully one-third must have been destroy ed
Nothing can be done in the city to-day,
except to take care of the homeless, and
that is rapidly being done. Everybody's
latch-string hangs OUT" and q cheerful
and buoyant feeling prevails. There was no
confusion or struggle during the fire. Ev-
cry one was courteous and kind, and all
worked earnestly together. The fremen
from abroad worked nobly. and assisted
greatly in saving property.
The churches and many other ediiccs are
thrown open for the homeless, and commits
tees are appointed TO relieve the distressed.
For some hours during the confagration
communication was cut off between the
front and back part Of the city, except by
over mile journey around.
The Lowell base ball club Of Boston, rem
dered gallant assistance in saving property.
There is not power press left in the city
to strike off paper upon.
At the present writing (afternoon) the
flames are still troublesome in some quar-
tiers, and are working down into the custom
house badly.
Almost ell the hose in the city has been
bursted and some engines are used up.
The loss of John Il. Brown & Sons must
be at least 81, OO0, 900, they owning large
amount of real estate in every quarter of
the city They are insured about one half
the value.
The editor of the Press, with the aid Of
job office, got out small extra on the day
following the calamity, which says: IF
sermon upon the instability Of human
affairs were the one thing desirable now, it
would be easy to dwell in pathetic periods
upon the sudden dissolution Of the solid
piles of brick and stone. which two aays
ago were homes, shops and haunts Of men,
but have now vanished like dream. The
Posto.ice is solitary in the midst of forest
Of unhoused chimneys, and labyrinth Of
heated and crumbling walls; it's granite is
blistered and shivered by the intense flame
which swept over it night before last. The
dome of City Hall and the spires of our
churches have passed away like eve ing
clouds Where was once Exchange street,
is now only q heap Of ruins A large part
of the accumulated wealth, the savings of
this and former Industrious generations has
been destroyed. Half of our population
has been turned into the street without
warning-there is the fact, black and terri
BILE, without palliation or disguise; but it
brick and stone are perishable, and may
blow away as lightly rs y gossamer, there
IL yet something solid and enduring in the
world-the patience and enterprise which
built up our beautiful city. In this disas-
ter, never have the sterling qualities of our
people shone forth more noble than now.
1t is hard to see the fruits Of 50 many years
Of patient endeavor wasted in few hours,
but the indomitable courage which faces
the fact admits the misfortune in all its
magnitude and sets promptly to work 10 re-
pair. Commercial street has suffered COM
paratively little, and our West India and
coastwise trade will be but little affected.
The dry goods, clothing and boot and shoe
interests are more seriously disturbed for
the time; but in every quarter we hear only
Of rebuilding and resuming business after
the least possible interval Temporary
rents for business purposes were in active
demand yesterday, and building contracts
were already in the market for bidders"