Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-22
LARGE AND DEsrRUCrrvE FIRE.
loss Between 100000 and $40. 600.
The Work of an IncendIary.

About nine o'clock last night, a fire
broke out in the second-story of the agri-
cultural implement house of J. R. Paul &
Co., No. % South Market street. Those
who FIRST arrived on the ground, state that
the ire was the work of an incenciary-
that upon going into the house they found
the flooring on fire in three different places.
and one gentleman stated that pieces of
wood saturated with tar were found burn.
ing when they arrived. Policeman No. As
was among the first to reach the spot. We
heard it stated that the door was found
open when the fire was first discovered
but whether this is the fact or not we can
not say.
The Fire Department were exceedingly
slow in reaching the scene of the conAa-
grafton, and when they did arrive, it was.a
considerable length of time before they got
to work, in consequence Of which the
flames spread rapidly, and soon the entire
/ ONlAAAAB shOAh SSlldA W hdAACh was an a
blaze. The flames shortly afterwards COM
municated to the building adjoining on the
north side, occupied by Sperry & Co. In
this building there was a considerable lot
Of cotton, together with whisky, rope, bag
! giDg, etc. Most if not all the stock was
rolled out and saved in damaged con-
dition.
The adjoining building on the south
side occupied by VIM. Lyon & Co, as an
iron store, next caught aud was coon en-
Eeloped in flames, and SO rapidly did it
burn that it was found impossible TO save
the contents, consisting of iron, large
variety Of implements, seeds, -four, etc.
The heat at one time was intense, and
! the liquor house of Chas. A. Nelson d Co.,
on the opposite eide of the street caught
on the roof but was promptly extiDguished.
On the opposite eide of the alley from
the store Of VIM. Lyon & Co. is the Kos
suth House, which also took fire, and with
great difficulty was saved. But for the
falling of Inc walls of Lyons store, the
Kossuth block would also have been in
ruins.
The store of Phillips & Ashley, timers
adjoining that Of Sperry & Co., was in
great dapgerat one time, and twas thought
could not be saved, but constant stream
of water on the building had the desired
effect, tin roof aiding materially in the
work Of saving the house.
The stock Of J. Il. Paul q Co., and Wn'
Lyon & Co, were completely destroyed,
not an article Of any value being saved.
We are not appraised Of the amount of stock
in these houses, but suppose it will not fall
far short of $4,000 in each.
The block of buildings was owned by
John NJ. Hill, and was valued at $4,000,
partially covered by insurance.
We did not learn the full amount Of
Lyon & Co.'s insurance, but understand he
had policy in the E.na Insurance Com
Papy, for $4,000, which is represented 10
this city by H. c. Ross.
We learn that J. r. Paul & Co. were
partly insured in Farnsworth & Clark's
agencies.
Sperry & Co. also had an insurance with
Farnsworth & Clark.
The fire is one Of the most destructive
which has occurred in this city for some
time past. As we are now writing, II
o'clock, the freis still raging, but the stu
alton has been mastered.
The spot where this fire originated is
rather unlucky, several fires having occur
red there before We believe the block laid
in ruins is the fifth one destroyed on that
ground in the past fifteen years.