Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1868-03-14
Great Fire I'm Jefferson, Texas.
Loss over S1,OO6,5OG.
From the Jimplccute, Extra. March


Just ut II o'clock last night, fire broke
out in the rear Of Rosenbergs Confectiona-
ry, near the corner Of Vale and Dallas SITS.
The wind was blowing heavily from the
South west, and the flames spread with
such rapidly, that all sxertion proved I'M
able TO stop its Roadway. In thirty min
utes from the time the fire was discovered,
1t had completely enveloped the BARRIERS shop
of Gus. Smith, adjoing, Gibson &Ruhlman s
con fec tionary, and r. b. Howelrs store
house. 1t then spread with fearful rapid
ty down the right side of Dallas street, and
in short time had crossed the street to ii
b. Orion g. Co.'S large building, opposite,
and down the left side Of Dallas, destroying
the two entire blocks clear to Levee street,
where the brick building of Graham & Tay-
lor stood the shock and stopped the flames
in that direction. The right side Of Dallas
is burned clear to the Lsvee.
On reaching the large and magnificent
building of Russell g. Co., the flames cross.
ed Austin street, and destroyed the two
large buildings belonging to Mrs. Kin ear
and J. Bruckmillsr. While these buildings
were burning the large house of Bateman
Il Brother, containing several bales of cot
ton, and immense piles of goods and groce-
res, was in imminent danger, and only sa-
vedsby the greatest exertions.
For some time the struggle was geeat to
keep the flames from crossing Vale street,
which was only done by the almost super
human efforts of few gallants souls, who
we're scorched by the fames OH the top of L.
b. Goyne & Co.'s and Goldberg Rcsen-
thalls store houses. Had the flames cross
ed here, there would have been nothing at
all left of our un fortunate city. AS it is, all
the main business portion of the place is
destroyed embracing four of the largest
blocks and portions Of others. We regret
to have to soy that the city authorities had
no organization whatever in the way of lad
ders, axes, buckets, or anything else, to as
si.t in staying the destruction. Great God!
what an oversight. As we look upon the
ruins and think of how we have begged and
implored our people to prepare for such an
emergency, we cannot suppress our tears
As to how the fire originated, we cannot
tell, but that we are oil ruined together, is
n fixed fact.
Our Office was for long while in immi-
nent danger, and scattered fore and aft
We loose $500 or 5000, and shall not be
able to issue on Tuesday, without we can
obtain q great deal of help.
Too many thanks can not be given to the
noble few who worked like heroes. We say
few, because they were few, considering
the number on the ground, but too many TO
undertake to designate in person.
Gen. Mclaughlin had his whole company
promptly on the ground, and himself and
men did everything on earth they could to
subdue the fomes and save property, for
which he deserves the thanks of all.
The fir edmen worked faithfully, whcrev-
err there was work to do, and many of them
acted nobly, indeed. 1t was thought for
some time during the fire that several lives
had been lost, but the parties are oil safe
and nsb ody seriously hurt.
Tn, Era No 8 was lying at the landing
Capt. Isaac H. Kouns backed down the riv-
err and detailed his whole crew to assist,
but their gallantry, like all the rest, could
do no good. -
There was less disturbance than usual on
such occasions, and very few were intoIi-
Gated, which was probably owing to the
fact that the U. S. troops were patroling
the city after the fire was rver.
Two thousand bales Of cotton were burn
ed, valued at $500, 90 in currency. We 10
not give the figures as being entirely accu-
rate, but as the best estimate we can make.
The fire is the most disastrous ever known
in the South, in city of the same size, and
less saved out Of so large IN amount burned.
The Jimplecute has tabular statement
Of the losses, which foo,s up as follows:
On real estate, SlS9,35O
On cotton, zOOiOOO