The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-11-12 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

THE GREAT FIRE IN VIRGINIA CITY.  Full details of the conflagration, by which half a mile square of Virginia City, Nevada, has been destro)ed, are contained in the New York papers received at Plymouth on Sunday by the Hamburg American steamer Frisia. The disaster is compared to the burning of Boston and of Chicago. The New York Herald says Virginia city was one of the most prosperous communities of our Pacific empire. It has grown up in a few years, mainly on account of its proximity to the great silver mines of Nevada, lobe a town of unusual brilliancy, enterprise, and ps osperity. There has scarcely been a mail from California during the last year that has not told us of the incredible wealth that has been gathered in the big Bonaniza mines, upon which it stands. The city was built over these mines, and was really nothing more than a great workshop for the use of those who lived by mining development. The destruction of the town ii only a part of the evil of the fire. It intercepts a great industry, it puts a sudden stop upon the large and daily increasing supply of bullion, it throws thousands of people out of shelter and employment at a time when shelter and employment are peculiarly needful. The fire began in an undertaker's establishment, spreading to adjoining livery stables, The wind, blowing briskly fronts the west, carried the flames through the town. The water supply gave out, and the engines and hose were burned in the streets. A panic seized the citizens, and the fire swept on unimpeded to the mills and hoisting works of the Consolidated Virginia, California, and Ophir noises, destroying everything in its course. Be good fortune the wind shifted, and the south end of the town was saved, but the fire still swept on nort hwardly, and the town presented a scene of the wildeat confusion and panics, the seats being bloused with goods and household furniture. The recent scourge of typhoid fever canoed the presence of many helpless invalids, who were being carried to places of safety by their friends. The extortionate demands of owners of vehicles, in one case at least, caused a murder. A man on B street was endeavouring to engage a teamster, and unable to comply with his demands, in desperation drew a pistol and shot him deal. Approximate figures from insurance companies place the losses sustained by them in the neighbourhood of £1,200,000. Among the heaviest losers are the :Hum, Imperial, Queen, and Commercial Union. about .EllO,OOO curb; North British and Mercantile, .00,000; London As,nran. and Underwriters' Agency, .00,000 each; Hartford and Pheenix, about 1:35,009 each; and other ensneen and foreign companies for smaller amounts. It is impossible at present testate the loss of life occasioned by the fire. Two men were killed in C street by the falling of a wall. There are numerous rumours of other casualties. Hundreds of f amities are homeless and hungry. The school houses are the only public buildings left unharmed and they are open. to the people,. but if immediate relief is not extended much suffering will ensue. Utter ruin reigns in the city. Men, women, and children are wandering about the streets, seeking for shelter. The surrounding hills are dotted with cansp fires. But few saloons remain, but the supplies of - - • .  liquor have not been lacking, and tile streets am noisy with the drunken mob. The military are patrolling the streets for the protection of property.