Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-11-28

generations, on the NOrtnWesI coihoi Va
Washington and Milk streets, was now
the objective point. If that succumbed
to the furious element it was generally
conceded that the whole of the north and
west ends would follow. Thousands
watched the old spire with breathless
anxiety and prayed fervently that it might
be spared. The fremen worked with a
determination, inspired, it seemed, as II
by Heaven, for an hour or more not less
than fifty streams poured upon the
ancient tabernacle and the burning build
ings surrounding it. Steady but slowly
the brave fellows seemed to get the
mastery of the fend, and finally, after
hours of persistent toll, they came out
triumphantly. The old "South" was
saved, and so was half of Boston. Thanks
givings mingled with tears and "God
bless you" were showered in profusion
upon the timely saviors. The whole OF
Pearl and High streets, which were de
voted exclusively to the boot and shoe
and leather and hide trade, are heap of
ruins. Every wholesale clothing house,
with single exception, is burned, and but
three or four dry goods commission
houses are left standing. All the domes-
tic wool in the city has been burned, and
the total number of pounds OF foreign
and domestic fleece and pulled wool de-
stroyed by the fire cannot fall short of
100000 pounds. while the entire stock
remaining in this market consists of
foreign wool, and is less than 5000
bales. The destruction OF boots, shoes
and leather has been quite as complete as
that of wool, although the stock in ware
houses is much lighter at this season than
it would have been about month later.
The wholesale clothing houses, with one.
or two exceptions, were completely de-
stroyed, although a considerable quantity
of goods were saved, and the stocks on
hand were not very large. With q few
exceptions, all the commission dry goods
houses are burned to the ground, not
even the walls of the buildings being left
standing. The destruction of the jobbing
houses has been nearly complete, and the
agent of the largest mills in the country
says that but one out of all his customers
in the city has place left for his business.
The fire did not reach that section of the
city occupied by the provision, produce,
and -four and grain trade, nor were there
any losses to the fish or salt dealers, and
but slight damage to the wholesale gro.
GERS. None of the hotels have been de-
stroyed, and the railroads, with the ex-
ception of the Hartford and Erie, have
not suffered.
The draft on insurance companies will
be immense, and many of the smaller
corporations must 60 down under the
weight of their liabilities. Despite the
terror that prevailed there were present
in the crowds many thieves, who began
their nefarious operations. Thefts were
numerous, and were committed with per-
feet impunity for time, as it was abb
solutcly impossible for the police to dis
tinguish owners from thieves, all being
loaded alike with portable property.
Now and then a well-known face would
be recognized by the detectives, and the
thief arrested. These were isolated
cases, however, and the value of the
plunder secured by this depredatory
class must have been numerous. 1t is
understood that thorough and strict
search will hereafter be instituted, in
order that some portion of the plunaer
may be recovered.
There were many touching and some
ludicrous incidents connected with the
fire. The ladies, in many cases, were
bewiidered by the noise and hustle
around them rather than by cowardly
fear, or even by natural timidity, and
did some things that provoked a laugh
in spite of the awful character of the
situation. One went about with pack
age Of lace in one hand and Lisle-thread
stocking in tie other sntreating the
workers to help her save her property.
Another threw out large superb mirrors
from the third story, and carefully low
cred china jug bya rope. Some shiv-
cred in silence on the stone steps, hug
ging their babes to their breasts, and
one answered gentleman who wanted
to save her property: "Let it burn, Sir,
I've saved my baby, and my husband is
all right in New York"