The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-09-30
letter from Richmond.



EDITOR DEMOCRAT last Saturday eve
ming about o'clock, one Of the most dsas-
trous fires since the memorable fire of 81
occurred in this city. The magnificent three
story brick block, of nine buildings, just Gem
pleted about a year ago on Market street.
owned by llarpending, was discovered to be
on fire but before the alarm was given or
the iiremen could reach the scene it had
spread so rapidly as'to defy the exertions of
the fremen, who worked like Trojans and
risked their lives to boot-many having been
seriously injured by falling timbers-but to
no purpose, as the block was doomed. Thir
ty or forty thousand men, women and chill
dren congregated around the vicinity Of the
fire. A report was circulated around that
quite large amount of explosive chemicals
were stored in Redington, Hostetter & Co.'S
immense warerooms. which had the effect
Of cleaning that portion of the street facing
said store. Quite number of explosions
did take place and the sight was grand. But
the firemen somehow managed to keep the
fire from burning through into the cellars of
r., IL. & Co.'S warerooms, where they had
stored an immense lot of combustibles. Had
il reached them the loss of life would have
been fearful. The fire ragged with undated
fury for three hours, when it began to slack
en- under the immense volumes of water
thrown upon it. 1t made a clean sweep,
ebo i 10
and side walls, most of which will have to be
pulled down as they have been forced out Of
perpendicular. Our mutual friend, Floyd Il.
Cowles, policeman on duty, first discovered
the fire, and termed on the alarm. The loss
is estimated at one million dollars. The
buildings cost $3.50, 000-insured for So, 600.
Redingtoa, Hostetter & Co., wholesale drug
gists are the largest losers. There loss is es-
timated at 500, 000-insured for S232. 600,
mostly in Foreign Companies. My esteemed
friend, Tyler Curtis, Esq, defeated candid
ate for Mayor Of tins city at the late electionl
came very near losing his immense stock of
leather, valued at Sl25 900, on which he has
an insurance of only $4,000. His loss
amounts to s, 0o0 damage, done by water as
the brave fremen directed their attention
principally to saving his building and pre-
vented the FIRE from reachingit.
The Alta, Ral}etja aud Ckronjcle, have
each opened their batteries upon cur candid
ate for State Superintendent of Public Irstrc
tons, Rev. O. p Fitzgerald, true gentle
man, ripe scholar, and who has proven him
self to be the 5tst Superintendent the State
ever had. shall be greatly surprised if the
people Of California Go not next mouth re-
buke each Of the above named papers. for
their uncalied for seventies upon the actions
of their best and most faitlful officer, by re-
electing him by an overwhelming majority.
know Of many Republican school teachers
throughout the State who intend to work for
the reelection Of 0. y. Fitzgerald. Let Old
Tuolomno, his former home. give him FIVE
hundred majority and his election is sure.
So mite it be-
The black ladies and gentlemen Of the city
held a skating carnival, last night, at Platt's
Hail. which was we'll attended-many white
persons occupying seats in the galleries.
Brudder Sambo and his dark complexionei
sisters are quite proficient upon the rollers.
Their costumes were gorgeous aud each char
ac.er assumed was we'll sustained.
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