Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-14
the Chnttanoora rire.

From gentlemen who were in Clatta-
nooga Saturday night, we have been able
to gather the following facts in reference to
the great calamity which, ct the above
time befell that prosperous and bustling lit
tie city:
The fire was discovered Sunday morning
at quarter to one O'Clock in the frame
house, (No. 223) of w. +. Fischer g. Bros,
jewellers, corner of Market and Eighth
streets, the origin of which was due to an
incendiary, since shingles with coal oil on
them were discovered not only in the house
first taking fire, but also at
two other houses on Market street,
but were fortunately eXtingushed, thereby
giving time to save many things before the
flames reached the middle of the block
The fire spread rapidly, going westward up
Market street, sweeping every house from
the corner OF Eighth street to the Old Post
Office building on Market street. Imme
diately East of the postoffice was an alley
ten feet wide separating it from anew brick
building in course of erection, the unfinish-
ed walls of which prevented the flames
reaching the postoffice. When the fire
reached this place it soon caught in a row
of buildings, mostly of wood, fronting on
Railroad Avenue, which runs parallel with
Market street, and at one time it was
thought the National Hotel, situated in
westerly oblique direction on the
Avenue, in rear Of the postoffice, would
be lost, but it was also saved in the same
manner as the post-office, by the brick'Nalls
of an adjoining building. From the corner
of Sth street, where the fire commenced, the
flames not only spread in the direction of
9th street, but also leaped over Eighth to
the buildings on the opposite corner, and
burned as far down Market as Mrs. Cor
mans fancy millinery and dry goods estab-
lishment, No. POI, which, with herresidence,
was destroyed. The number of business
houses burned is said to be nineteen, while
the other buildings viii place the number
at about thirty.
At last accounts no arrests had been
made of parties supposed to have been con-
nected with the work ofincendiarism, though
about twenty-five men, caught in the
act of robbing and plundering have been
nabbed and are now in jail.
A special police force has been employed
and are now on duty to prevent recur-
renee of the dark deed, and for the protec-
ton of plumber and property belonging to
the unfortunate owners and proprietcrs of
much excitement during the fire which was
left to ''pursue the even tenor of its way"
because of the absence of fire department,
the city relying upon the elevation of its res
ervoir to do the work of fire engine; only
one and that about the size of a wheel bar
row being present. One gentleman we
learn who had applied a hose to a plug,
worked until the hose was burned by the
flames, having to approach that near in or
der for the water to reach the fire. The
question as to the parties who originated
the fire is still mOOted one. Some be
lieve that Chicago thieves had hand in it,
while others think travelling band of
Eastern thugs are the guilty ones.
A gang of strangers who have been So
journing in the city are by many believed
to be connected with the work of destruc-
ton. They are well dressed, have plenty
of money and are gentlemen of elegant
though invisible means Ofsupport." They are
supposed to be from Chicago and develop
ments made since the fire indicate theexist-
ence ola dangerous organization the State.
Persons of suspicious character drumming
as agents from sham firms in distant cities,
or hailing as gentlemen from Europe trav-
cling for health and seeking the varied
pleasures of a tourists privileges, are per-
ambulating different sections of the coun-
try, examining localities and gaining an
insight into the arrangement of cities and
towns, for the purpose of facilitating their
work Of destruction, or eXpediting the
measures for which they are organized.
We publish elsewhere a more authentic and
specific account of the fire, its origin, losses,
ETC., taken from the Chattanooga Times
extra of yesterday morning.