Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-11-15

who, having large interests at stake, had
been present at the fire from an eaaly hour.
The scene at the corner of Milk and De-
vonshire streets, down Federal and up in
the direction of Washington street, was
terrible one. Nobody could stand within
threee blocks of the burning masses, so
the fire had full possession of the buildings
within its grasp. AS each edifce took
fire from its neighbor the flames seemed
to devour the contents in single moment,
and so the torrent offame grew in strength
and power with terrible velocity.
The losses have been enormous, yet there
is one consolation to be found in the fact
that but few people have been rendered
homeless, as was the bitter fate of so many
thousands in Chicago. The dwellings of
the citizens were not in any danger after
the flames followed down Summer street
The buildings destroyed are, as general
thing, owned and occupied by persons of
means, and as their homes are untouched
they will only suffer in pecuniary way,
without that real personal distress which
would have resulted had thousands been
turned out of homes at this terrible time
OF year. The loss will be bitterly felt in
one way. Many'of the buildings destroyed
were the workshops of girls employed by
large manufacturers these employees will,
OF course, be thrown out of employment,
and in Jnfs ws,pwill need all the help
they can get froAp outside sources.
By this time it had become evident to
all that in spite of the utmost exertions of
the Fire Department the flames were gain
ing. There was then no-aleernative left
save to blow up TIE streets closing to those
already sheeted with flame. AT two o'clock
this was done. Chef Engineer Damrill.
who had hesitased at adopting so costly
remedy, hesitated no longer. He estab-
lished a Gordon round the streets leading
to Milk street, driving off the gazers with
the police. Soon the measured tramp Of
the United States marines was heard as
they marched up Washington street from
their quarters in.the Navy Yard; and they
reinforced the .oYerworked police To
this combined force was soon added col
umn of citizens under the leading ofMay-
or CASTOR and General William L. Burt,
with Alderman jerks and Colonel Shep-
ard as subaltern4 And now they took
charge of all the Streets leading to Milk,
and about three o'clock the Engineers De-
partment, under Damrill, aided by the ma
rines, laid charges Of power in the cellars
of the south side Of that street. In few
minutes the roar9f numerous explosions
was heard and, though women grew pale
and children began to cry at the terrible
sounds, vet they were nevertheless dearly
welcome, for they indicated that the posi-
ton was fully realized, and that the con-
1agration was being fairly choked. Three
more explosions were heard, and immedi-
ately large block in Devonshire street
was blown partially into the air. Then
came the turn of Federal street, and quick
ly great gap waslmade in that fine street.
A wealthy mercssant who was working
like Hercules, was observed shedding
tears silently, and some one reproached
him for crying 90 much for his money.
ut is not that he said, with sigh, "but
saw Paris afterssthe raging of the Com
mune, and these iuins brought back that
was sorrows think that there should
S7.eF o clocs ne Sear old Boston. But
Va - thsS.t us i 10 is hssazal