The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1870-07-06
Great Fire in Gold Hill.
from the News Of last evening. !

: Shortly before 2 o'clock this morning q
FIRE broke out in the store of Joseph Couture,
ON Main street, opposite the News Office,
which in a very short space of time, owing
to the very dry nature of the buildings at this
season, spread over a considerable portion
; of the town. Such would not have been the
case had there been the proper supply of
water, for our Fire Department is well organ
lied, the apparatus in good order and the
fremen promptly on hand. As soon as the
alarm was sounded the hose companies hast
ened to attach their hose to the various nv
drants along Main street, but there vas no
water in the main pipe. Anxiously they
waited, but no water came. The reason for
this was that the man stationed at the great
reservoir near the Bullion dump was asleep
and did not awake to his duty of turning on
the water at this very critical moment. The
consequence was that the flames had it all
their own way and got the advantage at the
very start, and quickly leaped across the
street to the buildings opposite.
Meanwhile Chief McMartin had sent a
man up to the reservoir. He tried to turn
on the water, but not being experienced he
broke his wrench, and it was only by outside |
assistance and considerable trouble that the |
object was at last effected and the water let |
into the main supply pipe. There was six
feet of water in the reservoir, and now the |
HOse companies at tne Migrants OelnH sup |
piled with the needful element they thence
forward poured full streams upon the fire.
The alarm communicating to Virginia,
Monumental No. 6, knickerbocker No. ) |
and Young America Mo- came hurrying
down TO the assistance of their brethren of
the Gold Hill Department Eagle No. 3
also sent their hose carriage along.
The fire spread on each side the entire
width of the town between the railroad on
the west side, and High street, Fort Home
stead hill, on the east. At the lower or south
end it extended to the house of John Lam
bert, which is scorched considerably, and at
the upper end through to the alley between
The Postotfice and Bank of California 1t
also swep: around the News office, burning
the buildings at each side and in the rear, ,
also the awning and sidewalk in 'front.'. The
building proved itself TO be ire-proof, for the
only damage to the interior consisted in
merely the blackening effects Of smoke and
some little scorching of the wood work about
The rear doors and roof. Those iron doors
we're of a white heat for some time.
The FIRE originated, as we before stated, in
he store of Joseph Couture, dealer in family
groceries, produce, varieties, etc. He had
llso lot Of fireworks for sale, and although
10 one seems able or willing to account for
low the fire actually started, one thing is GER
ain, in a very few minutes there was a ter b.
ihc eannonade of crackers, bombs and other
nfernal petards, and rockets went sailing
ut through the roof, sides and windows at
lively rate. Nobody ever saw the like in
he way of an involuntar display of fireworks,
There were over 40 houses destroyed, and
be entire loss, as nearly as any one can es-
innate it, will foot upto at least $4,000.
his loss is covered by something near $780,
90 insurance. of which the Pacific Insurance 4
o.. has S35. 900, the North British and Mer-
antile Sis, OOO1and the balance is divided up
mong other companies.