Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-09-30
THE FIRE YESTERDAY MORN.
ING.
Almost a ConfIagration-Losses, Ell

Almost a COnfIagratiOn-LOss Etc.
The early hour, o'clock, at which the
very large edition we print compels US to
go to press, (Which trouble will be obviat-
cd in few days by the arrival of our new
double-cylinder press) prevented us from
giving In our last an account of the
fire yesterday morning, which came near
being disastrous conhagration. A little
after 3 o'clock the warehouse of Messrs
Berry and Demoville, an old brick in the
rear of their store on the Square, belong
ing to Mr.. Ensley and which runs parallel
with the back walls of the establishments
of Trecy d Co., Starlight, Thornton q Co.,
and the Ensley Block to Front street, was
discovered to be on fire. In short space
of time the warehouse was enveloped, and
the flames darted across the narrow passage
way, and Tapped into the rear window of the
magnificent Ensley Block, occupied by
Messrs. Searight, Thornton & Co., whole
sale dry goods, and Messrs. Fishel & Bro,
and also the rear windows of Irby Morgan,
and Trecy & Co. The warehouse alluded
to was filed with cotton yarns, oils,
paints, varnishes, alcohols and other stock,
belonging to Messrs. Berry d Demoville.
The peril was now imminent and the
destruction of the stores seemed inevitable.
The passage-way, not more than four feet
wide, was all that separated the establish
ments from the wall of fire behind. The
Fire Department was at once on hand, and
the citizens gave their assistance in carry
ing buckets of water through the front
stores and subduing the flames as fast as the
back windows and doors would ignite
The frame and wood work of the doors and
windows were cut away and tumbled be-
low right in the face of the fire. Goods in
bales, cases and boxes were carried into
the streets and scene of indescribable
alarm and anxiety ensued. From the COM
bustible material to feed them, the flames
in the warehouse had soon done their
work, and with a crash the roof fell in.
The crisis had passed. The heated walls
of the Ensley Block, and the other build
ings stood unscathed; no fire had pene-
trated within, and they were safe, looking
down with their blackened and charred
windows in grim defiance upon the dying
fires below. None of the buildings men,
toned, which had been so imperiled were
injured of consequence. Never did fire.
men work more nobly, or effectively. Capt.
Stockel and the Department have the
thanks of the citizens for their manly ex-
ertions in their behalf. The fire is sup
posed to have been the work of incendi-
aries, who fred the building in the passage
alluded to, making their entrance from the
street, their object being the destruction of
the stores with view to pillage.
The loss falls most heavily on Messrs.
Berry & Demoville, the warehouse being
well stored with goods in their line.
Among other articles they had 100 bags
of cotton yarns, 200 dozen of Orange Bit
ters and a large quantity of oils, paints,
varnishes, alcohol, whisky, etc., which loss,
however, is not definitely ascertained. The
warehouse building belonged to the Ems
ley's heirs, whose loss is probably $4,000.
Starlight, Thornton & Co., were damaged
to the amount of several thousand dollars.
Their stock amounted to sos, 900, on
which there was an insurance of $50, 600,
divided into six offices. The principal in
jury sustained by this firm was by the re-
moval of goods. They will be right side
up with care again to-day or tomorrow.
Trecy & Co., had a stock of $13, 900, on
which they had an insurance of $4,000.
They sustained considerable injury from
water. The damage to the Ensley Block
will not exceed $50, and the building is
fully insured.