The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-10-28
FIRES.
The Virginia City COnflagratiOn.
FURTHER PARTICULARS

SAN FRANCISCO Oct. ga special dispatch
from Virginia City says that the destruction of
the city was owing to the bad management of
the engineer of the fire department.
The conhagration started 10 an undertaking
establishment on b street, spreading to adj join
ing livery stables. Streams were turned on the
stables, allowing the flame 70 communicate to
the county buildings adjoining The fire de-
partment lost its head. The wind blowing, di-
rectly from the west carried the flames
through the town. The water supply gave out,
the engines and hose were burned in the street,
panic seized the people, and the fire swept on
unimpeded to the mills and hosting works of
the Consolidated Virginia, California and Ophir
mines, destroying everything in its course. BY
good fortune, the wind shifted and the south
end OF the town was saved, but the fire still
swept on n0rthwardly.
The town presented the widest confusion and
panic. Streets were blocked with goods and
household furniture. The recent scourge of
typhoid fever caused the presence of many
helpless invalds, who were being carried to
places of safety by friends. The extortiona ate
demands of owners of vehicles, in one case, at
least, caused murder. A man on B street, en-
deavoring to engage a teamster and unable to
comply with his demands, in desperation drew
a pistol and shot the driver dead.
Approximate figures from insurance COM
panies place the loss sustained by them at
100000 Among the heaviest losers are the
Etna, Imperial Queen, and Commercial
Union, about 100000 each the North British
and Mercantile, 100000; the London Assur-
ance and Underwriters Agency. $4,000 each;
the Eastern and foreign companies for smaller
amounts. Among the local companies the
Commercial loses $100,000 the Home Mutual
10000 or more, and the Firemen's Fund $780,
600. None of the companies admit that they
are at all embarrassed by their losses
A despatch from Los Angeles promises lib
eral subscriptions of money and supplies.
New YORK, Oct. 27.-Telegrams from San
Francisco relative to the Virginia City fire say
the Pan mill and shaft are all right, but the
Central Virginia works and Ophir works, with
all their surroundings were burned. The Saw.
age hosting works viii. raise Ore for the Con-
solidated Virginia Co. Losses will not exceed
100000. The consolidated Virginia mill is
destroyed, but most of the machinery will be
available. The company still has the Occi
dental, Morgan, Moriposa, French, Devils
Gate, Sacramento, and other mills unnjured
cher, Yellow Jacket. Exchequer and other
large mines at the south end of the city are
working as usual. Consolidated Virginia Co.
will pay its usual monthly dividend from their
large reserve fund on hand.
The New York agents OF the Bank of Cali
fornia are receiving contributions for those
made homeless by the fire.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. IA special to the
Call from Virginia City says: 1t is impossible
at present to state the loss of life occasioned
by the fire. Two men were killed on G street
by the falling of wall There are rumors of
many other casualties. Hundreds of families
are homeless aud hungry. The school houses
are the only public buildings left unframed,
and they are open to the people, but if imme-
date relief is not extended much suffering will
ensue. Utter Decentralization reigus in the
city. Men, women and childieu are wander
ing about the streets seeking shelter. The sur
rounding hills are dotted with camp fires. But
few saloons remain, but supplies Of liquor have
not been lacking, and the streets are alive with
drunken mob. The military are patroling
the streets for the protection of property.
The feeling on the street this morning was
better than yesterday, and there is less dispo-
sltlon to magnify the disaster The total loss
by the fire is now placed at from $3,OOO,OOO to
DISPATCHES received to-day give further par
tlculars Of the Virginia City conhagration.
They confirm the previous reports as to the ex-
tent OF the calamity. The scene during the
progress of the fire is beyond description. The
wind blew gale, driving the cinders and
flames far in advance of the burning buildings.
rendering all attempts to check the progress of
the fire futile. Giant powder was freely used
TO blow up buildings and frequent heavy ex-
plosions shook the earth.