Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-11
Destructive Fire.
VALUABLE PROPERTY BURNT.
ORE LIFE LOST IN THE FIRE.
HEAVY LOSS.

The Marion Star brings us the follow
ing additional particulars concerning the
destructive confagration in Marion Mon
day night last:l
On Monday night last, a most destruc-
tive confagration befel some of our good
citizens, by which many who were an hour
before this lamentable misfortune, in pros
porous circumstances, have been driven to
cold poverty's door, and left in almost a
penniless condition. Sad indeed at any
time is q destructive fire, but more es-
pecially in this case, as happy family
have been deprived of q kind and affec-
tionate protector. 4 fond wife he's been
made widow, and group of interesting
children have been made fartherless by
one of the most unfortunate and saddest
c2Iamities that ever befell our beautiful
town. The walls of the unfortunate family
would have, and did bring tears to the
eyes even of the most uDconcerned. But
it is some consolation at least to the be-
reaved. to know that this kind husband
and affectionate father lost his life in his
manly efforts to save his niece and fe-
male friend with an infant in her arms
He did save them, but lost his own life
What better record does any man want en-
grayed on his tombstone than what we
have expressed in this simple tale?
About IL o'clock on Monday night, this
fire, which has rendered so many homeless
and penniless, was discovered in the store
of Mr.. Henry Clarke, who wes occupying
the second story Of the building as reel
dence at the time, and had retired with
his family, and was wrapped in sleep, little
dreaming Of the devouring flames that
were threatening with destruction the
very pillows On which he and his wife and
infant were reclining. But at sacrifice
of life this family were saved.
From the most reliable information that
we can obtain, the fire broke out in the
tenement building owned by Messrs. Knox
& Gill. of Baltimore and occupied as resi-
denc6s and stores by Mr.. Henry Clarke
and Mr.. Gerson Richard, in two places
simultaneously, and before the nearest
neighbors could be notified the whole
building was wrapped IN flames.
This building was insured for So, 500,
and the stocks of Messrs. Clarke and
Richard for S., 500 each, of which the
insurance viii not cover more than half
the loss.
Next WAS the large iwo-story building
of Mr.. Baum, of Georgetown, recently
ford, as a grocery store, and Mr.. III. Steel,
as Il jewelry store. The entire stock of
Mr.. Crawford was consumed, but was
covered by insurance to the amount Of
$500. With the exception of a show case
and its contents, Mr.. Steel lost his entire
stock, and unfortunately has no insur-
nnce. Tho insurance on this building,
w. learn, was cancelled about two weeks
ego, and the owner is the loser of least
So, 900.
The next building was the law office of
General Graham, insured for $500. His
library was saved in o damaged condition.
His safe contained S., 400 in greenbacks
and valuable papers, subjected to the des-
tructiVe element, could not be easily
moved, and proved on opening almost
total loss. We should also have stated that
many important papers and some valuable
ewelry were preserved in damaged con-
dition by a safe belonging to Mr.. Rich
ard.
Next was the large two story building of
Mr.. S. E. Mcmillan, occupied by Mr.. A.
II. MCLAUGHLIN as O grocery Messrs.
Evans s. Evans as law office, the County
Treasurer and the Crescent Office. Saved
the tax books of the County Treasurer and
the law library of Messrs. Evans & Evans,
the building together with the goods of
Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN and tie material of the
Crescent office were entirely consumed
Mr. McLauchlin had no insurance. Mr..
Mcmillan, We learn, was insured for 49,
600, which viii not cover more than the
loss OF his building.
Just here we beg to tender our sympathy
to the Crescent, and also the use of our
press and material IN I'll the proprietor can
replace his Office.
Next was small tenement building be-
longing to the estate of Godbold, and in
close proximity to the drug store of hTr.
w. @. Mcmillan, both of which were al
most simultaneously enwrapped in flames.
Mr. Mcmillan had probably one of the
most complete drug establishments in the
State. A large portion of his stock was
in damaged condition, and it
will take time to repIenish and make his
stock as complete as it was. This was a
large two story building, and besides be-
ing used as drug store was occupied by
Mr. M. M. t'urgeson as jeWelry estab-
lishment and photograph gallery. Mr..
Mcmillan, we learn, was insured for 81, 900.
The next and last fuel for the devouring
flame was the Office occupied by DIR. d. S.
Price, which at the time thu eatened the
store Of Messrs. S. A. Durham d Co,
which caught on fire twice.
By prompt and manly action this was
saved, and he threatening flame stayed,
and larger portion of our town than has
been burnt preserved from the destructive
element. The loss of this firm is at least
$500.
All present at the fire, both white and
deserve the highest praise for the
services rendered, and we take the liberty
in behalf of all who occupied residences
on the public square, of returning sincere
thanks to those who so promptly rendered
assistance In saving their property from
ashes.
With the exception of the store of Mr..
Manuel Iseman and small house used as
q post Office, the whole square west of the
Court House, decidedly the ,handsomest
and having the best buildings in town, is,
ct the time Of this writing, in ashes, and
presents dolefuI spectacle to the obser-
yer, But words will not rebuild nor soft
en- the grief of the unfortunate, and we
leave the scene with sad heart, hoping
that we may never be an eyewitness to
Just such another fire.
But the saddest part of our story is vet
70 be told. and gladly would we shrink
from 1t. The unfortunate man referred TO
above was Mr.. Iseman Ia1man, one of orr
oldest and respected merchants, who, in
bis efforts to save his niece and friend,
sacrificed, nobly sacrificed, himself.
80