September 27, 1850
Gazette 41 - Democrat 20
We regret to learn, by passengers by the stage on Sunday, and by
travelers who have since come up, that nearly all the business
portion of the Town of Pine Bluff, the Seat of Justice of
Jefferson county, was reduced to ashes, on Friday evening last.
The fire originated, about 2 o'clock, P.M., from the pipe of a
cooking stove, in the kitchen attached to the Exchange Hotel,
owned and occupied by Mr. A.J. Stevens, both of which buildings
were soon wrapped in flames and totally consumed. From thence it
proceeded east, and destroyed the row of buildings belonging to
the estate of the late James DeBaun, Esq., and occupied by Dr.
A.W. Brewster, as a Drug-store, and by Mr. Joseph Merrill, as a
produce and grocers store and Post office. It crossed the street
from thence, and consumed the corner building belonging to Jacob
Leimbargo, and occupied by Mr. Merriman, as a confectionary.
From thence it spread southward, and destroyed the office of Dr.
Stanford, the store and ware-house of Mr. Morton, the store and
ware-house of Mrs. McDermot, the law offices of Mr. Murray and
of Grace & Waters, and a building belonging to Mr. Leimbargo.
From thence it crossed the street to the west, and consumed the
store house of H. Skull, Esq., and occupied - the lower story by
Mr. George Boggs, as a Drug-store, and the upper by the Masonic
Lodge. Here the ravages of the flames were arrested. The cinders
from the burning buildings communicated fire to the store-houses
of Mr. Henry Hamilton and of Mr. Fish but they were fortunately
extinguished without much injury.
We understand that almost everything in the Hotel was destroyed.
Dr. Brewster lost nearly all of his stock of drugs and medicines
- but was insured for $1,500, which, we are pleased to learn,
nearly covers his loss. Mr. Merrill, we regret to learn, lost
almost everything he had in his store and warehouse. The
Post-office suffered considerably, although we understand all
the mails and records of the office were saved. Mr. Morton and
Mrs. McDermot were fortunate in getting out and saving most of
the contents of their houses, as were the Masons in saving their
furniture and regalia. Our friend Mr. Boggs, we are sorry to
learn, lost his entire stock of drugs and medicines.
The aggregate loss of all the sufferers by this calamity, we
understood, is estimated at from $30,000 to $40,000 - and we
cannot learn that any were covered by insurance, except Dr.
Brewster.
The wells of the town, we are informed, furnished by little
water; and the distance to the river (about 150 yards) rendered
it impossible to procure sufficient from that source to be of
much service in subduing the flames.
