Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-06
DIsAsTRosjs F1Rr
Destruction Of Four Business Houses
and Injury TO Others-supposed 80
he f1la Work of an Iucauffta~va

~
After a long respite from ferry visitations,
Nashville was yesterday morning visited by
the most extensive aud destructive confs-
grafton that has been witnessed here during
the past several years, except that on South
Market street last January. The alarm of
fire made at 10 minutes before O'Clock was
occasiened by flames breaking out in the
rear of the family grocery store of Compton
81 Garrett, on the west side of Market street,
third door South of the Public Square, The
Fire Department was quickly at the scene
of peril, but owing to the progress made by
the flames before discovery, the fire had
gained considerable Roadway before any
water was thrown. About the time the
Department was in readiness for work three
explosions occurred in the burning house,
two of which were very violent, and loud
enough to be distinctly heard in distant
parts Of the city. These explosions, SUI
posed to be cans of powder and barrel of
oil or liquor, followed each other in quick
succession, and when they ceased it was
discovered that the devouring flames had
extended throughout the buildine-from
the front to the rear, and from the first to
the third story. From the burning build
ing, the rear OF three stores fronting on the
Public Squire took fire, two of which were
almost totally destroyed, while the other
was badly damaged. About the first of
these to take fire was the store and hoop
skirt factory of D. Loveman, situated b.
tween the dry goods store Of OlwiIl Bros.
and the drug store Of Herman &
McMurray, the dry goods store being al
most entirely destroyed, and the drug store
building and stock, badly damaged. The
stock of d. Loveman g. Co., at least nearly
all in the first story, consisting of hoop
skirts, corsets, white goods, ETC., was re-
moved to place of temporary safety in the
Markethouse, and the dry goods stock of
dwell Bros. was removed to the Court
house. From the front part of Compton &
CARROTS, the fire spread to the upper part
of the store of NJ. Burns i Co., wholesale
dealers In slddery, hardware, etc. A large
portion OF the stock in the first and second
story of the building was carried out and
saved. The first story of this
building was but partially de-
stroyed. The stock of S. Levi, dealer
in clothing, No. 5S Market street, next
door south of NJ. Burns & Co., was re-
moved, but the house was not damaged by
lire. The clothing store of Sam. Powers,
next door north Of Compton & Garrett,
was at one time thought to be in great
danger; but escaped injury, owing to the
saving capacity of substantial fire wall.
But for the promptness and efficiency dis
played by the fire department, and the
alacrity with which the orders of the Chief,
Capt. VIM: Stockell, were obeyed, the range
OF the fire would doubtless have been much
more extensive. The square to which the fire
was confined has no alley running through
it, and it was therefore with much difficulty
that the rear of tEe burning buildings could
be reached. The roof of the clothing store
of J. A. j. Rose, ON the Public Square, was
somewhat injured, but neither the interior
of the building nor the stock was at all
damaged. Our esteemed friend, Capt. Jas.
/. Patterson, an attache of this popular
clothing house, made what he regarded at
the time as narrow escape from the sea of
fire, safely getting out with his trunk and
contents. He was subsequently congratu-
lated by numerous friends. Nothing is
positively known as to the origin of the
fire, but it is most generally sup
posed to have been kindled purposely in
order to aid the movement of thieves. No
person slept in the house of Compton &
Garrett on Saturday or Sunday night,
the young man who usually sleeps there
having, as is his habit, gone to his home in
the country on the Saturday evening be-
fore.
Fortunately for those burnt out, they
were in the main well insured, and from all
we can learn, the losses will not go beyond
the insurance. We give as follows the
amount of insurance on stock and buildings,
and the companies that were sufferers:
We give below recapitulation of the
insurance losses, and the amount of loss
by each company: