Wake County NcArchives News.....Raleigh Fire 1816
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Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com November 18, 2008, 7:04 pm

Raleigh Minerva 1816
Friday, June 14, 1816
FIRE!
-- On Tuesday night last, just after our citizens had generally retired to 
rest, an alarming firm broke out in store of WM. SHAW, ESQ. on Fayetteville 
Street and communicated with astonishing rapidity to the adjoining tenements. 
The evening was calm and beautiful, but what wind there was being from the 
south, the flames were carried to the closest built part of the town. In a 
short time, the whole square was in a blaze, and crossing Harget Street, the 
conflagration spread upwards towards the State-House, and was not checked 
until it reached the dwelling house of MR. JOHN STUART, where by blowing up 
part of the premises, and by extremely vigorous exertions of the inhabitants 
and strangers, the farther progress of the devouring element was arrested. 
Below the store in which it originated, MR. MATTHEW SHAW'S new dwelling house 
together with his two stores and all the front buildings of JOHN MARSHALL, 
ESQ. fell a prey to the devouring flames. Here, in this direction, it was also 
checked; so that the extent of its devastion comprises about a square and a 
half, from MR. MARSHALL'S to MR. MILLER'S, which in fact was the only dwelling 
in the whole range of the fire was saved. The greatest alarm during the scene 
was felt for the whole town, as the houses in many directions were several 
times on fire; particularly on the opposite side of the way, the Star Printing-
Office, MR. HOLLOWAY'S Store, MR. NAT. JONES new house, with others.
    MRS. CASSO'S tavern, the State-house, and several buildings in that 
direction were in great danger, but saved from the stillness of the evening. 
The market-house and one well-house were cut down, making the total number of 
buildings, destroyed amount to upwards of fifty. The whole damages may be 
estimated at about $100,000, some of the property having been insured.
   Those who have sustained the greatest losses are MESSRS. JOHN MARSHALL, 
MATTHEW SHAW, WILLIAM SHAW, ROBERT HARRISON, CLARK and SMITH,  OLIVER THOMAS, 
RANDOLPH WEBB, CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHERS, NEILL BROWN, GEORGE HALL, LEWIS 
HOLLOMAN, MRS. BRICKEN, JOHN STUART, ROBERT FITCH, JOHN DUNN, A. McDANIEL and 
THOMAS W. & J. SCOTT. Some of these sufferers a very considerable amount; the 
extreme rapidity of the flames having afforded them no time to save their 
property; nor in one or two cases, even their books and paper.
    The want of water, of engines, of management and concert, were 
distressingly felt on this occasion; but many persons deserve the highest 
praise for their activity and presence of mind. The conduct of several 
strangers and ladies was worthy of the highest administration and gratitude, 
nor were many colored people undeserving of great applause.


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