The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-16
FIRE IN NEW YOaK THIS MORNING.
The West Washington Market Almost
Wholly COnsumed-Great Less OF Pro-
visions and Produce.

visions and Produce.
West Washington Market was almost all con-
sumed this morning. II runs from Fulton to
Dey street on the west. The fire broke out at 2
A. NJ, in the chimney of Perkins pork stall,
near the river end of the market, on Weststreet
How it began is as yet unknown; probably by
a flaw in the fue. The flames ran from this
point towards Broadway the wind blowing
from the river. The fire had to be hanked
The adjoining roofs and walls we're torn down.
Those one degree less near we're water-soaked.
In this way the flames we're kept in the centre,
and fought out Perkins, Costmer, and Leonard
are the names of the stall.owners who lost
most Their aggregate damage Is said to be
about $4,000, pretty. equally divided. Each
had about 1000 hogs hung ready for sale this
morning. The hogs we're burnt to oily nothing.
ness. -
about worth, by estimate, $500. The part of
the market left standing will be unoccupyable
for some time. II is kaee-deep pond. By
strong exertion the main Washington Market
was saved from contact with the fire. Had it not
been, the consequence would have been to send
the hre far up Fulton street to the business
heart of the city. There were swarms OF police
around They merely looked on. Nearly all
OF the hogs nigh have been pulled out, had they
helped. AS it was, two citizens were able to save
about hundred No explanation was given of
the police idleness, but the statement it wasn't
their business TO save pork, but keep order.
This scene at the fire was grand. The timber
burnt as flax. The pork fed the fire 10 the
highest degree of heat and brilliancy. Toe
locality was light as day, and the market blazed
like beacon. There were only three or four
engines out. For some reason no continued
general alarm was sounded. Had il been other.
wise, the flames would have been sooner SUB.
dued, and much valuable property saved.
SKETCH OF THE BURNED PROPERTY.
Though Washington Market proper, or at least
the nucleus of it, dates back as far as 1912, the
property destroyed last night was not used for
market purposes until 1858, and, in fact, the
ground on which the stalls stood was not re-
claimed until within year or two of that time.
The property next north, between Fulton and
Vesey streets, was some ten years older. From
the time OF the reclamation of the land until
within few years, West Washington Market
has been an eyesore morally and physically, and
one OF the chiet bones of the contentious of the
Common Council. There are several vast swim
dies connected with its conduct, which are
among the choicest reco.leclions of the quid-
nnncs of the City Hall. 1t was in relation to
this property that battle-royal ragged between
Taylor and Brennan, the lessee of the site on the
one side, and the city and its lessee on the
other, which was so managed as always to
keep the tenants OF each party In q state of
abject insecurity and terror, and which was not
finally adjusted until 1861, when in consideration
of $500, 900, Taylor and Brennan agreed to dis
continue all their legal proceedings, and allow
the vendors to possess their stalls in patience.
The bargain was thought at the time a very
good one for the plaintiffs. At different times
there has been a great talk, which has tapered
gradually to nil, OF displaclng the whole con.
geries OF ramshackle sheds which are now
grouped under the name of Washington and
West Washington Markets by structure which
should be credit and a convenience to New
York. The market has been presented at least
three several times by grand juries as a nui-
sance; once in November, 1858, once in Decem-
ber, 1858, and once in January following; but
hos hoarN DOM aNrorn arHc tla
liminary process OF demolition, except the fire
of last night, and another very destructive one
in January, 1860, by which nearly the entire
space covered by the sheds of West Washington
Market were cleared and from the ruins of
which sprang the Phoenix the end which is
now recorded.-Ne1o York World