Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-11
THE cOnsTAETIAOPLE FIRE.
The Sad RceAs---RuiR and Devastation,
Awful Deaths and immense 0estruc.
tiou of Property.

A correspondent writes from Con-
stantinople on June Il: The great
eonflagfation of the European quarter
of this capital (Pera) has quite ar
rested all traffic and business matters
for the present.
The spectacle presented by the
scene of the fire is one OF the saddest
that can be imagined. Nothing Is to
be seen but burnt walls and chimneys,
ashes and fragments of what were
once splendid houses and other edi-
fees. These threaten passers-by, and
already several persons have lost their
lives by the falling of such remains.
The Sultan, his Government and pub
lie functiOnaries generally have done
far more than could be expected in
favor of the sufferers.
Three large camps of tents extend
from Pera to the next village of Ferry
KieWy, all numbered, and their in
mates supplied with provisions, bed
ding and clothing. Indeed, many in
dividuals are better of there than they
were in their late houses. Several
births hspe already taken place there,
bat. as vet. no deaths. The weather
has been exceedingly hot, but yester-
day heavy shower of rain cooled the
air and laid the dust and ashes,
The details of the disaster are of the
saddest character. Many persons
were found still alive in wells, cisteFnS
and cellars. a large number were
taken out of others dead, literally roast
ed and BOILED to death. In one place
twenty-seven men were found dead
] = in frf1
were found three women living and
one child dead.
II is believed that there are still
Iaany dead and living in similar
places, and that search should be made
for them. 1t is dangerous to remove
any of the ruins, on account OF open
wells, slightly covered over, lRto
which one may be precipitated, with
oGt any warning. People, however,
roam ABOUT them in search OF lost
children and relatives. The lost and
missing already are stated as beyond
two Thousand, while only a few hun
dred have been found and buried.
Where are the rest if not under the
ashes or in places Of cOncealment?
Many families which were wealthy,
possessing nom el0, ,000to e40, 600 ster-
ling, are now poor, aud do not know
where to find a shelter, if not from the
benevOlence of their relatives and
friends. In many cases wh0le tami-
lies were burned to death, and in 9TH
en-. several members. In one case
twentY-seyen were found dead among
the ashes of their homes. The guam
tity of jewelry lost is y5sg great
among the Armenians and Greeks,
large amounts in ottoman bank
notes and eOnsOlides having been
burned. SO much gain to the bank
and imperial treasury.
Some $4,000 have been collected
here for the suffers, and its distribu-
ton will soon be made. In this hope
many poor persons. remain under the
tents when they might shelter else
where.
The Mussulman population of Stam-
boUi and other parts of the capital
have shown mOre sympathy for the
Christians than was shown by the
latter toward them on the occasion
which burned down so great aportion
of StambOul, from the harbOr across
the city to the Marmora. Many offer
their houses gratis or for nominal
rents.
Many societies have been formed to
distribute funds and clothing, in ad-
ditiOn to the Suitan's beneyOlence,
The Masonic fraternity have done
much, and many of the members lost
everything. One was burned 10 death
10 the fruitless attempt to rescue the
sick in the German hospital. His re-
mains were followed to the grave by
a large number of the brethren. His
name was Krebs, and should be
known to all Masons as a noble mem
Der of the craft. In one girls school
a large number of children were
burned to death, the number COM
mencing with forty and running down
to twelve. Publicity has not yet. been
given to the gazettes, for it is usual
here not to allow the full amount OF
disasters to reach the Sultan.