New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-03
Great Fire IN Mobile.
From The Mobile Register and Advertiser, May

From the Mobile Register and Advertiser May lstl
Between the hours Of two and three o'clock
yesterday afternoon the alarm Of fire was rung
out, and soon after dense cloud of smoke was
seen rising from the vicinity Of the Little Market
strong southwest wind was blowing at the time
and the COnfagratiOu spread with Lightning ra
pidity. The fire originated in the large carriage
factory of Henry Shoemaker, on the corner of
Scott aud Dauphin streets, having caught from
sparks ascending from fire made to heat wagon
tires in the back yard. The building being light
frame structure, and the material very combnsti-
BILE, it was soon wrapped in tlames which com
munieated to the adjoining buildings on either
side.
The engines arrived on the spot promptly, but
the fire had gained great Roadway, and spread to
the heart OF the square, which, despite the noble
efforts of the liremen, was totally consumed. The
deyOurinC elements was carried on the wings of
the wind to the Bell Tavern and the market build
ing, both of which were destroyed. II then com
municated TO the old row of wooden buildings on
the south side of Dauphin, and thence ranged to
the brick building occupied as drug store on
Dauphiu street, where it was checked in that
direction by the massive walls and the efforts of
the tiremen, The fire was confined to circuit OF
three squares around the market house, chiefly
ranging on the triangular squares between Dau-
phin and Spring Hill Road, known as the Bell
Tavern square, and the two squares between Dau-
phin and Cont, above Scott and below Wilkinson
streets. The number of buildings destroyed is
estimated at upwards of forty, and fully one hun
bred tenements occupied by families.
At the present writing, it is utterly impossible,
in the confusion consequent upon such COntlagra-
ton, to furnish the details but we will endeayOr to
do 50 hereafter. Among the heaviest losers we
have the names of Mrs Burns l.. Gomaz, Rayfeld
Il Bouton A. Shoemaker, Philip Sherman and H.
| Joseph
The excitement was intense, and thousands of
men. women and children thronged the streets in
| vicinity. Robbery was carried on to a shocking
extent until two companies of the 18th regiment
arrived at the scene and protected the property.
| Goods and furniture were moved out of houses for
squares around the fire. and the streets were fairly
bockaded. The police were energetic and worked
heroically, but the thieves many of them soldiers
| outnumbered them, and a wholesale robbery was
| carried on for a time. Pickpockets also piled
| their vocation, and many suffered from them, The
liquors in Philip Shermans saloon were all carried
off by thieves, who dealt them out layishly to their
/ friends. The Bell Tavern liquors were saved by
| the exertion of friends and their vigilance in
| guarding them. MessFs. Pierce Wheeler were
| fortunate in saving all their stock.
! Fully one hundred families are thrown out of
house and home. They are comprised chiefly of
! the class known as creoles, and noted for their
industry and good citizenship. SrriOus apprehen.
sions were at one time felt for the safety of Mr..
Danes stables The heat from the fire was in
tense and it was difficult to approach the build
ings on fire. The tremen, as usual, labOred under
| great disadvantages from the scarcity of water.
| 1t is due to the two companies of the fifteenth
| regiment, and Gen. Woods, who was at the scene,
to state that they worked like bees in protecting
the property of the sufferers.
! As regards the estimated loss from this great
fire, or the amount of insurance. we at present
unable to give even an approximate statement
| At six O'Clock last evening the fire was subdued
and gloom peryaded the city.