The Van Buren press., 1872-11-19
The Boston Confagration

from the ST. Louis Republican, Nov. llth.l
Thirteen months ago the whole read
ing world was awe struck by the calami-
ty which swept through the stately city
Of Chicago and left but wind beaten
waste where some Of her proudest pal
aces had stood Sister cities far and near
fofSos all rivaries and We'd with each
other ia those striking Offices Of sympa.
thy that for .;me made the whole world
kin But the old mother city by tho sea
surpassed them all in generosity toward
her stricken daughter of tbs lakes. Chi
cago was the child Of her enterprise, the
proudest outpost Of her commerce, and
Boston, that had nursed her infancy aNd
shared in her growth, opened her Golfers
when it became necessary 10 rear new
city upon the ruins. But for Boston's
faith and capital the wondrous work of
restoration which one briefyear has wit
messed would have been delayed many
SEASONS. And now the same dread visi-
tation has turned all hearts to Boston.
The city that was 50 ready to divide her
wealth with Chicago has now shared the
same fate. 1t now appears that the fire
began at about u O'Clock in a mercan-
tile house on the corner Of Summer and
Kingston streets, and in spite OF the fire.
men rapidly spread in three directions.
Only short distance away, where Otis
street juts iato Summer, stood the Eve
rett block of granite, owned by the heirs
of Edward Everett The flames went
westwardly on both sides Of Summer
street, creeping along the roofs and car.
rying destruction and devastation with
irresistible tide At about 10 o'clock the
conhagraton, leaping to Arch street,
which runs parallr with 0.is. and which
is very narro ~, were moving swiftly up
to Washington, the principal street of
the city. Meanwhile the fire had pro.
gressed to the eastern end of Summer
street to Bedford, involving Winthrop
square, tho great Wholesale centre Of
Boston. Thence the flames swept beyond
! Lincoln, High and Broad streets to Rus
sia wharf, lying at the eastern end Of
Congress street, and on the south to the
depot aud bridge Of the Hartford and
Erie railroad, which is the south eastern
boundary Of the fire From the corner
of Summer and Otis the devouring Gle
mont spread in a northern direction
across Franklin, Milk, Water, Market
and Liadel streets to State, where, ac-
cordng to our last dispatches, it was ar
rested go that the fire district may be
traced by line embracing Bedford, Sum
mer, ashington, State, Kilby, India
wharf and the channel The area OF ter
ritory involved is estimated at two hun
dred acres, closely built up, nnd with the
finest business structures to be found
anywhere, Of which area, it is stated, full
ly ninety acres contains no unharmed
building. Here was transacted nearly
all the trade Of the city il boots. shoes
and leather, wool and dry goods. a
number Of the leading banks and money.
ed institutions were also located in the
burnt district. To St. Louisan some.
thing like an idea OF the scene Of devas-
tation might, perhaps, DO formed by i'm
agining fire here sweeping down the
blocks between Walnut street and Wash.
inyton avenue and from the Levee TO
Seventh street 1t is said that tho loss
in buildings alone Of the Boston fro is
100000 900, and our Washington cor
respondent states that Secretary Bout
well declares the total loss will amount
to $500, 100000, Undoubtedly the latter
estimate is enormously too high
Among the property destroyed wholly
or in part, are the offices Of several jour
nails, the Post snd Transcript inclnded,
| hut the fire seems to have troubled few
public buildings. Fortunately, also, none
Of the great libraries or benevolent in
stitutons we're within the doomed sec
ton.
About three O'Clock yesterday morn
ing matters had become 20 alarming that
at a meeting of prominent citizens 1t was
determined to undertake saving the city
by blowing up buildings in the track Of
the fire. This was tried several times, at
intervals, but apparently without success
in arrestng the flames. At five o'clock
their progress southwark, however, was
arrested, and likewise In the southeast.
The flames did not reach the heavy ship
ping, and only comparatively few vessels
we're destroyed Northwestwardly, on
the other hand. the fire. .fend seemed TO
gather renewed strength, and all ysstsr-
day morning, and until about o'clock
D. m. could any check be interposed. The
latest announcement al hsnd is that the
fire is under control, and we see that the
insurance peoples paper has already
gone to figuring ~ TO the losses to the
various companies which, according to
the coolest calculations. are now brought
down to about S90,000O00. Of which
there is insurance to the extent Of 810,.
100000 lie. us hope that the smaller
estimates Of tine losses may be realized,
for however greatly diinihished from the
first reports they are sufficiently heavy
to be appalling