New-York tribune., 1869-01-15
THE GREAT FIRE AT PHILADELPHIA.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BURD MARBLE BLOCK
SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE-sEyERAL PER-
SONS INJURED-NEARLY A MILLION DOL
LARS WORTH OF P0PERTY DESTROYED
THE CONTINENTAL SAVED.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. H.-The burning of the
beautiful and costly block of marble buildings Chest
nutst above Ninth, early hour this morning
one of the serious calamites that has beaen
business community for many years. The block comprised
three stores commencing at the southwest OF
Ninth and Chestnutsts occupying frontage OF about
100 feet. and nextending through to sansOm-st The
buildings erected the ground formerly occupied
by the DR. Burds mansion swere finished about two
and half years ago at cost Of nearly quarter of
million dollars. They considered the finest and most
substantial marble edces In the country The
occupied by Messrs. Howell & Brothers. manufac
turers and dealers in paperhangngs; tho middle by
James L. Caldwell Co.. jewelers. and the third by
Messrs. j. F. d. +. d. Orne, dealers In carpets.
The Continental Hotel building the southeast cor
ner several times in jeopardy, especially about
o'clock this morning, when the flames from the
windows opposite fronting Ninthst. but IL fortunately
escaped damage. There was considerable excitement
among the guests wholnumbered some 600; but IL was
aaycd in great measure through the GOODNESS displayed
and excellent arrangements made by proprietor Mr.
j. T. Kingsley, and his clerks 1t not necessary for
leave the house, although the vicinity was
thronged with "carpet baggers" The ladies exhibited
much more composure than the
The total loss In property Is estimated at about mil.
lion dollars. Several persons severely injured by
the falling OF the cracked marble and pieces OF tho
wooden conice, and 1t is feared that Of Mr. Cad
Tes clerks. Edward Hagan. formerly Of Providence r.
| flames - f :" 'No
About iaso this morning several explosions were
heAI ~ the vicinity, causing tho earth 10 shake They
cOulu NOT % accounted for until quarter Of an hour
aterwatu names were discovered issuing from the san.
soms end ot the celarof Caldwes store They spread
IspnIy ana gSore inc hremen arrived had reached the
third story The store safely guarded by strong iron
doors and windows and It difcut TO effect an en-
trance The private wstchman, James Andrews. was
discovered tho front entrance when the door was
finally broken In. He was badly burned and almost
three OF whom effected their escape by getting ont of %
second story front windows upon the cornice.
The store OF J. f. Caldwell & Co is completely de.
stroyed Their stock was valued at $4,000 sl00 O0o
/ worth OF which, comprising the diamonds watches &c
was deposited In reproOf safes and found In good con-
dtlon this morning. The stock consisted OF jewelyy
silver and plated ware clocks hrOnzes pctufea and
fancy articles of variety and the nost
valuable ever collected In America The Art Gallery on
bracDg many most valuable paintings, statues, bronzes
anil other costly works. intending the "Veed statuej
By ~ o'clock tho entire building burned ont from
TOD TO bottom aud the interior walls and floors fell with
4 q startling crash
The insrances on their stock amount 10 sA 900 There
was also Insurance the fixtures OF 5000 each In the
Astor and Howard Companies The building was owned
by william e. Houston, ard cost $4,000 which there Ii
an Insurance Of $4,000, all IN Phadelphls companies
Al about o'clock the flames made their into the
cof0fr building occupied by Howell Brother, who had
large stock 6f paper Of all Kinds hand, the Spring
stock having boen received short time ago Everything
IN TIC building vas destroyed. Although the building
was OF marble, tho ~ wood and fen 20 the
street or we've wred through the air mperllng the a
aceut buildngs. Many ~ the hromen injured by
nearly S0OO1 which there ls An insurance Of t05OOO
The property was owned by Mr. George Howell aud cost
ts3,OO0, on which there rs M Insurance " $4,000
The entire STOCK Of Mcssfs r. and IL. Orne carpet
dealers, No gOl ChestnutS was damaged by water. but