The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-04-04

Col. A. W. Sheldon, Editor Gate City
Dear Str Having been rambling around
of late, in different parts Of the country,
have at last found myselfin the Metropolis Of
the West, situatedon the good old Mississip>
pi, which at present is on akind ofanmpage,
refusing 10 conine itself within its banks,
but overlooking them, spreading consterna-
ton and destruction among the plantations
and farms along its sides--more especially at
points much farther South than this.
Rsther singular that should be here just
in time to witness the greatest FIRE ever in
the city. But such is the case, and indeed,
would not have missed seeing it for consid
cradle. Between eight and nine o'clock the
alarm Of Gre was soundad, and when the citi-
xens heard that it was the "Lindell," there
vas rush in that direction. l arrived ~
the scene Of destruction about nine or little
after, at which time dense columns Of smoke
we're issuing from the centre of the top of
the building. Engines were already at work,
but did no. seem to do any good, fos it was
difficult to throw stream SO as TO come at
the FIRE, it being caught in the seventh story,
and in the centre Of the building, and was
burning downsards- Efforts were made BY
the hremen to drag the hose up the winding
stair case, but for some reasons they did not
succeed, and il Was abandoned.
About ten the flames burst out with great
fury from the fifth and sixth story windows,
aud it was then thought by all that the build
| ing could not be saved. The 6remen.sh ov.
ever, we're doing their best, bot the FIRE king
for once was the master, and Is the flames
shot upwards towards the sky, seemed
TO mock puny man with all HE boosted mod
ern Improvements.
The house was nearly full OF guests, and
the Ere spreading so rapidly, there were few
that saved any Of their baggage, especially
those whose rooms we're in the fourth, fifth
and sixth stories. Those, however, who
we're fortunate enough 10 have rooms lover
down, SD ,ceeded in saving the greater part OF
their effects
The police, by stretching ropes across the
corners OF the different streets in the vicinity,
we're enabled to keep the crowd back, bu, at
times they, in some quarters. had almost 10
use their "billies;" for on every street there
seemed TO be one mass OF human beings, all
intent on witnessing the destruction Of the
finest building of the kind on the continent,
and believe the third largest in the world.
About II o'clock part of the walls fell in
With tremendous crash, but. strange to say
killing none, could be sseertaiusd.
The southern aud parts Of the northern walls
still remain, but Of course very much in>
jured. The loss 10 estimated at fully two mil
lions of dollars, which is considered By some
low essimate on account of the immense
destruction Of private property. The insur-
snce on building, stocks, &C., is about Ave
hundred thousand dollars, leaving nett loss
Of a million and half. This honday)
| morning vorkmen are busily engaged cfsaf-
ing the rubbish from of the streets, 30 tina,
travel can soon be resumed 10 the vicinity.
The burning Of the " Lindell Hotel" 10 q
severe loss to this city, but If is to be hoped
that another one viii be put up equ.lling the
former il not SURPRISING it.
/ vss passing along the street the other
day and noticed the name of Sterling Price
L Co., Commission Merchants, &c. The old
| chap isnow anxious for consignments, how
ever Of different character from what our
boys wished 70 send him during the var
Benton Barracks is, - you are doubtless
aware, no longer in existence. In place OF
the 4" Army here dunns .he war, there 10
only sbou, seven hundred men at Jefferson
Barracks, consisting of Infantry, Artillery,
Engineers and Marines, and it is to be hoped
that they sill be able to . hold the post
City election comes Ct to morrow, and
there is no aoub, but the Radicals will carry
sverythins t'siore them.
Bot Is'v- uespassius on your patience, SO
good bye A 55as $3.50 Il.