The Shropshire Examiner and all round the Wrekin advertiser. — 1875-11-12 (Wenlock, Shropshire, England)

THE GREAT FIRE IN VIRGINIA CITY.  Full details of the conflagration, by which half a mile square of Virginia City, Nevada, has been destroyed, 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, to be a town of unusual brilliancy, enterprise, and pi 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 only a part of the evil of the fire. It intercepts a great industry, it pots 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 from 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 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 northwardly, and the town presented a scene of the wildest confusion and panic, the seats being blocked with goods and household furniture. The recent scourge of typhoid fever caused 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. 1 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 deafi. Approximate figures from insuranco companies place the losses sustained by them in the neighbourhood of .1:1,200,000. Atnong the heaviest losers are the _Etna, Imperial, Queen, and Commercial Union, about ▪ l 1.1 ),1 )00 each; North British and Mercantile. • 410 ; London Assurance and Underwriters' Agency, .1.;50,000 each; Hartford and Phcenix, about 173.5,000 each ; and wher eastern and foreign companies for smaller amounts. It is impossible at present tostate 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 families are homeless and hungry. The school houses are the only public buildings left unharmed and they are open td 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 eurrounding hills are dotted with camp fires. But few saloons remain, but the supplims of liquor have not been lacking, and time streets are m icy with the drunken mob The military are patrollingthe streets for the protection of property.