USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 17
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MARYSVILLE YUBA SHOOTING CLUB.
A member of gentlemen organized this association May 18, 1872, for the fairjose of securing the enforcement of the game laws in this vicinity, to paranote the art of shooting aud to cultivate friendly feel- ing and social intercourse among its members. The original members wrre :- 1. N. Allrich, D. Thom, C. Bometter, J. V. Selby, P. George, T. W. Kent, L. Belding, II. B. Marker, E. S. Prickett, W'un. Wearman, Eugene Barthe, J. B. Rohr, A. C. Bingham, P. Gelich, J. C. Roth, O. F. Stone, G. W. Peacock, A. Peri, J. Colford, J. M. Cutts, Jala White, .1. IT. Warren, J. R. Reed, J. F. Fells, Geo. Williams, Wm. DeMott, and A. Abbott. The above are still members with the excep- tion of Messrs. Altrich, Selby, Kent, Cutts, and Warren. The first officers were :- I. N. Aldrich, President; A. Peri, Secretary. At present. A. C. Bingham is President and A. Abbott, Sreretary. The present membership of the club is twenty-five. The club property is valued at one hundred dollars .. The meetings have been hell in the Ilornung building, though discontinued at present.
MILITARY.
The military fever man its course in Marysville, as it has in other places, and for twenty years there were but two intervals during which there was not a martial organization of some kind. During the war two large well-drilled companies were maintained, which were not only of value at home as a safeguard against disorder, but also furnished
from their ranks a great many disciplinal soldiers to fight for the old tag in the field. In 1851. Brigadier General &. M. Miles was in com- mand of the First Brigade, First Division. California Militia, with his Headquarters at Marysville; 1. 8. Kasson was his Assistant Adjutant- General. September 9, 1851. by General Order No. 2. Xunnel B. Miltoni was appointed Judge Advocate in the staff of the Briga. dier General with rank of Major of Infantry. E. W. Roberts was, by the saure order, appointed Assistant Surgeon with the rank of Captain of Infantry.
THIE YUBA GUARDS.
This company was organized June 9, 1855, with sixty five young men, the elite of the city. The officers were ;- M. D. Dobbins, Captain; Jolm F. Snow, First Lieutenant ; L. W. Taylor and W. HI. Wieker Blan, Second Lieutenants; J. M. Cowan, Brevet Lieutenant; W. (! Burnett, First Sergeant ; Thomas Seawaal, Sreoud Sergeant; L. W. Shelden, Third Sergeant; D. B. Wolf, Fourth Sergeant; D. JJ. Wilkins, Fifth Sergeant; Wm. B. Latham, Jr., Secretary; J. W. More, Troux urer. During its existence of several years, it received $520 appropri tion from the Board of Supervisors for armory rent, etc.
MARYSVILLE RIFLES.
This company was organized with alert forty men, Ortolar 31. 1859, and continued in a flourishing condition until the close uf the war. The company land at times us high as eighty mon, but. wus con statly being reduced by members going to the front. The first oflivera were :- M. D. Dubbius, Captain; Thea. D. Coult, First, Lientement .; Emil Sutter, Second Lieutenant. The: captains who succeeded Mr. Dobbins were Hivaum W. Theal, Henry De Matt, and B. Kilerman.
MARYSVILLE UNION WARDS.
This was another prosperous comjamy organized August 15, 1861. The strength of the command was abit sixty men, which qnota it was hard to maintain on account of the great maiber who enlisted mul went to the front. The first officers were :- 1 .. Hublount, Captain; A. Woods, First Lieutenant; Henry Persons, Second Lieu- tenant; L. B. Ayer, First Sergeant; John Bacon, Second Sergeant. The Capdains who succeeded L. Hubbard were C. G. Huldanl, W. P. Winkley, and Chas. Bacon. The company was mustered out January 2, 1867. In 1863, it was reorganized as an artillery company.
MARYSVILLE ZOUAVES.
This was a French zonave company organized in 1863. It had a strength of fifty or sixty men and was commandled by Dr. Lasvigne. It was in existence abont one year.
MARYSVILLE LIGIIT ARTILLERY.
When the Union Gnards disbanded, some of the members went to work on the formation of a new company. This resulted in the organi- zation of an artillery company Angust 4, 1867. The company had a
64
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
strength of one bmwvired and sixteen men, and had two six and two twelve and guns. The officers were :- A. W. Tory, Captain; J. B. Leaman, First Lieutenant; George Ayer, Sound Lieutenant; M. Dixhammer, Third Lieutenant. No change was made in its officers during the two years of its existence. The company was innstered out in December, 1869.
SHERMAN QU'ARDS.
The last company in Marysville was the Sherman Guards, Co. 11, Fourth Regiment, Fourth Brigade, N. G. C., organized January 23, 1872. The first. officers were :- J. M. Nowhard, Captain; J. A. Hall, First Liontenant; T. C. Morris, Second Lieutenant; J. M. Taylor, First Sergeant; E. W. Sawtelle, Second Sergeant; H. F. Beckman, Third Sergrant; R. Sweeney, Fourth Sergeant. The company had a strength of ahout sixty nun. The same captain was retained in com- mund until they disbanded, February 20, 1875.
CHAPTER XIX.
MARYSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Causes which Led lo its Organization Mutual Houk and Ludder Co., No. 1-Eureka Engine ('0., No. 1. Ynhu Engine Co., No. 2-Enreka Ihre Co., No. 1 Mininal Engine Co., No. 3- Yobn Hung d'o., Nu, 2 Mutual Habe Co., No. 8 Salamander Hoek and Ladder Co., No. 1 -- Warren Englue Co., No. 1 Pioneer Engine Co .. No. 5-The New Steamer-Reorganization of the Department Protection Engine Co., No. 2-Pacific Engine Co., No. 3 .- Tiger Engine On., No. 4 The I'add Fire Department-Purchase of Two New Steamers-Present Condi- tion of the Department-Liul of Engineers and Assistants from 1851 lo the Present Time.
I'ne devastating fires which visited the young city of Marysville in the summer of 1851, caused the question of a fire department to be discussed. The need of such an institution was now very apporent, and the fact wus conceded hy all that an organization of some kind, provided with suitable apparatus for fighting the devouring element, was im- peratively necessary to protret the city from the frequent accidental and incomliary fires. With this object in view, a mumber of citizens met September 18, 1851, und perfected the organization of a fire company, which was christened Mutual Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1. At the inception of tho movement, the company was a purely independeut organization, but soon after it was placed under the control and pat- ronage of the city authorities.
Among firemen, especially in the volunteer departments, there exists in a remarkable degree, a fraternal feeling, and although in the hurry and heat of action, sharp rivalries and seeming animosities may spring up, when the work is over, all such bitter spirit vanishes, and the men- bers of different organizations mingle together in the most social inter- course. This peculiar feeling goes beyond the limits of one city, extend- ing over miles of distance, to meet a kindred feeling in the hearts of firemen in other cities. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1851, an exhibition of this fraternal spirit was given on the occasion of a visit by the Mntual Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, of Sacramento, to the
Marysville company. The guests were entertained at a grand banquet in the evening, at which the Mayor and prominent citizens were pres- ent. The visitors returned to Siermuento the next day. This visit was subsequently returned, and the Marysville company was received with great honors anl courtesies. June 17, 1852, the Howard Engine Company of San Francisco, visited Marysville. In the afternoon after ter the procession, the members of the tire companies, with invited guests, sat down to a banquet in the Hotel du Commerce. The stay of the Howards was nreessarily brief, and they embarked at four u'clock on the Governor Dana, for Sacramento. These were but the first of many similar courtesies between the various volunteer com- panirs of Marysville and those of her sister cities. Competitive trials were frequent, and great rivalry existed as to the length of time re- quired to make a run anl grt on a stream of water, and especially in the distance to which a stream could be thrown. Frequent balls, re- ceptions, and parailes were given, which were productive of much enjoyweut and pleasure.
MUTUAL HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. I.
The first officers were :- Parker H. Pierce, Foreman; William King, First Assistant; D. Buckley, Second Assistant; Edwards Woodruff, Secretary, Mark Brumagim, Treasurer; Charles Stokes, Steward. On the eleventh of October, D. Buckley was clected Chief Engineer of the department; S. Simmerly, First Assistant, and J. W. Winter, Second Assistant. W. W. Smith was elected Secretary of the company. Apparatus was provided for the company, consisting of a ladder, buck- cts, etc. In 1852, the Council erected, at an expense of $1,050, a building on the levee, at the foot of D street, for the accommodation of the company. This company rendered good and valnable service, and was that upon which the city depended for protection for two years. It, however, was not sufficient; an engine was needed, and Angust 17, 1863, the
EUREKA ENCINE COMPANY, NO. 1,
was organized. The following were its officers :- Charles Ball, Fore- man; William McTurk, First Assistant; Edwin Field, Second Assist- ant; J. B. Humphrey, Secretary; E. D. Foudray, Treasurer; Charles T. Legate, Steward. The Eureka Company had a full membership of sixty-five men, and had the honor of being not only the first volunteer engine company, but the last one. They were given an engine-room in the City Hall, and in September, 1853, were provided with a hand en- gine that cost $4,000. This was a valuable addition to the department. Another engine company, the
YUBA ENCINE COMPANY, NO. 2,
was organized May 23, 1853, with the following officers :- S. H. Jack- son, Foreman; P. M. Chandler, First Assistant; Charles Andres, Second
Assistant; J. M. Bellrude, Secretary; James F. Chase, Treasurer; P.J. Cody, Steward. Tho new company was supplied with a Button & Blake hand engine, which was kept in their engine house, corner of Band Third streets. The next company to organize and offer its services to the fire department was the
EUREKA HOSE COMPANY, NO. I.
Previous to the organization of this, the engine companies were obliged to convey their own hose to the fires in addition to work- ing their engines, and a hose company was a necessity. The Eureka Hose Company was formed in September, 1854, with the following officers :- J. De Mott, Foroman; C. Schroter, First Assistant; E. Snow. hite, Second Assistant; C. H. Simpkins, Secretary. The full member- ship was twenty-one men. The hose was kept in the Eureka engine house. The Mutual Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, disbanded October 1, 1855, and reorganized as an engine company, being styleil
MUTUAL ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 3.
This organization also used a hand engine. The officers were :- Ima A. Eaton, Foreman; William H. Chapman, First Assistant; W. F. Fonda, Second Assistant; C. C. Goodwin, Secretary; N. Wescoatt, Treasurer; W. H. Hope, Steward. The engine house was at the City Hall. There being now three engines and only one hose company, it was felt that more hosemen were needed, and on May 8, 1856, two new companies were formed for the engines that were without such assistance.
YUBA HOSE COMPANY, NO. 2.
The headquarters were at the Yuba engine house. In 1858, the Yuba Hose Company had fifteen men, with the following officers :- Charles Andres, Foreman; C. Snowhite, First Assistant; John Bender, Secretary; John Winkler, Treasurer.
MUTUAL HOSE COMPANY, NO. 3.
The headquarters of this company were in the Mutual engine house. The Mutnal Hose Company had also fifteen men in 1858. The oficers were :- T. McMasters, Foreman; William Scholl, First Assistant; M. D. Dowling, Secretary; L. Lewis, Treasurer.
SALAMANDER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. 1,
was formed in June, 1854, and rendered good service until February 8, 1859, when it disbanded. It organized with thirty-one meinbers, under the following officers :- Eugene Dupre, Foreman; M. Schultz, Assistant Foreman; A. Muhlendorff, Secretary; H. Videau, Treasurer; J. Allen, Steward. The headquarters were on C street, between Sec- ond and Third streets. The next company to organize was
WARREN ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 4,
Jannary 8, 1857. It was admitted to the fire department the follow- ing July. Its officers were :- Harry Leland, Foreman; J. W. Curtis,
STOCK BARN.
4
PLUMAS LANDING,
LITH. BV CL. SMITH & GO OUTLINE CAS
PLUMAS RANCH, PROPERTY OF ANDREW A. RUTLAND, YUBA CO. CAL.
THOMAS B. MILLAR.
ELDORADO ORCHARD, PROPERTY OF MILLAR BROS, YUBA CO. CAL,
ROBERT MILLAR.
65
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
First Assistant; B. F. Hollis, Second Assistant; Lomis Bethancourt, Secretary; B. Eilerman, Treasurer; D. S. Hyams, Steward. The hand engine used by this company was a Hanneman Tub, No. 2, and was kopt at their ongine house on Third street, between Kand High streets. The membership of this company at one time was one hundred and sixteen men. This engine company had its own hose, which was under control of the Second Assistant. At the first State Fair held in Maryavillo in 1858, there was a compotition of hand fire engines, and this engine, although a second-class one, threw a stream two hundred and fifteen feet nine inchies, about thirteen feet farther than the best first-class engine. The Matnal Engine Company, which had already been changed from a hook and kulder to an engine company, again reorganized, October 15, 1858, forming the
PIONEER ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 5.
The officers of the'new company wero :- C. B. MeClellan, Foreman; Robt. Pickorsgill, First Assistant; Win. Wagonhalis, Seconkl Assis- tant; Fred. C. Chano, Secretary; J. S. Eshom, Treasuror; D. H1. Harney, Stowurd. The engine used by this company was the lund engino that had formerly been the property of the Mutaal Company, and was kept at the City Hall. This was tho last organization formed during the reign of the old volunteer department. Tho department was governed by a board, which was organized Angust 17, 1853, as a board of oflicors, but in 1855, Was changed to a board of delegates, each company electing dolegates to represent itu interosts on the board. A Chiof Engineer and two Assistants were annually olected hy ballot from among the firomen, for which election firemen only were qualified votors. Great rivalry existed between the various companies as to which should be the first to got water on a firo, which should have the brightest uniforms and apparatus, and bo the most perfect in all re- specta. Fires were frequent, and no matter at what hour of the day or night an alarm seundod tho men responded promptly for duty, spoil- ing frequently a fine suit of clothes in thoir offorts to keep up the rep- utatien of their company. Some of tho leading citizens were mombors ef these companies, and the lawyer, doctor, merchant, blacksmith, saloon keeper, and laborer could be seen working side by side at the brakes.
The Yuba and Mutual Hose Companies disbanded in 1861, and the following year the wbole department was reorganized. All the com- panies disbanded except the Eureka Engine Company, the board of delegates was abolished, and the city council took the management of the department into its own hands. The cause which led to the break- ing up of the department was a "new departure" made by the Eureka Company in the purchase of a new steam engine. The steamer cost $2,500, and the company was aided in its purchase by the eity.
The introduction of the ateamer was a great bone of contention, and was vainly opposed by the other companies, who plainly saw that they would be unable to successfully compete with an engine of that charac- ter. Rivalry ran higher than ever, and jealousy of the new engine cansed so much trouble that the other companies were dishanded by ordinance of the Comumnon Council, June 25, 1862.
The companies, however, retainel their organization for about a year after the passage of the ordinance. For a short time the Eureka engine was the only one in the regular department, when it becoming apparent that this was not enough for the protection of the city,
PROTECTION ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2,
was organized July 26, 1862, with thirty-three members, which num- ber was afterwards increased. The officers were :- C. F. Scholl, Fore- man; Win. Ashe, First Assistant; C. W. Bacon, Second Assistant; Wm. Harney, Secretary; Geo. W. Prescott, Treasurer. The old hand engine formorly used by the Euroka Company was placed in the hands of this organization. Six months later, January 31, 1863, anotber company was organized,
PACIFIC ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 3.
This company was formed in the Fourth Ward, and was designed more particularly for the protection of that part of the city, in which its engine house was located. It had originally thirty-one members, and the following officers :- I. G. Shepard, Foreman; H. K. Tryon, First Assistant; J. D. Lewin, Second Assistant; J. M. Bellrude, Treasurer; W. H. Denton, Secretary. This company used the old Yuba band engine and did good service. Still another company, the
TIGER ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 4,
was organized in January, 1864, with the following officers :- F. A. Grass, Foreman; Jolm Boyle, First Assistant; H. S. King, Second Assistant; George A. Root, Secretary ; Simon Hochstadter, Treasurer. The city was now again well provided with protection from fire; the new companies lasted but a few years, and the Eureka Engine Company was again alone in the service. In 1868, the Eureka Company surren- dered their engine to the eity, and the fire organization was made a paid department. The Eurekas have never disbanded, being still in exist- ence and holding property, though for over ten years they have ceased to render service as firemen. In 1871, an old hand engine was refitted and placed in the possession of a volunteer company, which, however, bad but a brief existence.
In 1872, another steamer was purchased by the city for the use of the fire department; and in 1876, a third, an elegant one that had been on exhibition at the Centennial, was added.
The Fire Department, as at present organized, consists of a chief engineer, salary §300; captain of hose, salary $150; engineer of steam-
er», si per month; and twenty hosemen, with a salary of $50 each per annum. The chief engineer, captain of lose, and engineer of steamers, are elected by the Council at the first meeting in Oktober of each year. also, the husemeu upon the recommendation of the captain of the bose. The apparatus of the department consists of thive steamers and two love carta, which are kept at the City Hall, under the charge of the engineer of steamers. The fire limits as fixed by onfinance me :- A street on the east, the Yuba river on the south, F' street on tho west, and Sixth street on the north. The following is a list of the officers of the department since its organization :-
1851-2
Chief Engineer
. .. D. BUCKLEY.
First Assistant
Second Assistant .J. W. WINTER.
1852-53.
Chief Engineer P. H. PIERCE, Ja.
First Assistant .
J. W. WINTER.
Second Assistant . W. 11. CHAPMAN.
1853-54.
P. 11. PIERCE, JR.
Chief Engineer
.J. W. WINTER.
First Assistant
S. H. RHODES, *
Second Assistant.
"Realgned, J. F. 8xow elected Juno, 1854.
1854-55.
Chief Engineer.
1. W. NIGHTINGILL.
Second Assistant
S. H. JACKSON.
1855-56.
. CHAS. BALL.
Chief Engineer
A. W. NIGHTINGILL.
First Assistant.
R. W. PICK ERLGILL. *
Second Assistant.
"Resigned, P. M. CHANDLER elected January, 1850.
1856-57.
A. W. NIGHTINGILL.
Chief Engineer
P. M. CHANDLER.
First Assistant
M. COYLE.
Second Assistant.
1857-58.
P. J. WELSH.
Chief Engineer
WM. SCHUCKERT .*
First Assistant.
Second Assistant JACOB LEVY.
*Resigned, MARE D. DOBBINS elected in December, 1857.
1858-59.
P. J. WELSH.
Chief Engineer
H. W. COOLEDGE.
First Assistant.
Second Assistant.
CHAS. ANDRES.
. CIAS, BALL.
First Assistant.
.SAM SIMMERLY,
66 .
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1859-60.
Chief Engineer. P. J. WELSH.
First Assistant. J. W. CURTIS.
Second Assistant JOHN BARBEE.
1860-61.
Chief Engineer P. J. WELSH.
First Assistant. W. C. CONGDON.
Second Assistant. .CHARLES CRACKBURN.
1861-62.
Chief Engineer W. P. WINKLEY.
First Assistant
W. C. STOKES.
Second Assistant. F. A. GRASS.
1862-63.
Chief Engineer W. P. WINKLEY.
First Assistant A. B. CARRINGTON.
Second Assistant War. ASHE.
1863-64.
Chief Engineer. J. B. LEAMAN.
Assistant . B. BIGELOW.
1864-65.
Chief Engineer WH. MURPHY.
Assistant. B. BIOELOW.
1865-66.
Chief Engineer F. D. Hudson.
Assistant
B. BIGELOW.
1866-67.
Chief Engineer.
WM. C. OGDEN.
First Assistant.
M. R. CASAD.
Second Assistant G. S. PRICKETT.
1867-68.
Chief Engineer .J. B. LEAMAN,
1868-70.
Chief Engineer D. H. HARNEY.
Assistant
B. BIGELOW.
1870-71.
Chief Engineer J. H. RANOUS.
First. Assistant
B. BIGELOW.
Second Assistant A. GIBSON.
1871-72.
Chief Engineer I. G. SHEPARD.
First Assistant.
F. A. GRASS.
Second Assistant. PAUL PROVOST.
1872-73.
Chief Engincer.
D. H. HARNEY.
1873-74.
Chief Engineer I. G. SHEPARD.
First Assistant W. C. OGDEN.
Second Assistant CHAS. RAISHI.
1874-77.
Chief Engineer.
D. H. HARNEY.
1877-78.
Chief Engineer
D. H. HARNEY .*
*Superseded August 6, 1578, by I. G. SHEPARD. 1878-79.
Chief Engineer
I. G. SHEPARD.
CHAPTER XX.
FIRES.
Indifference of the citizens-First fire, August 31, 1851-September 10, 1851-Organization of Mutual Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1-Their success -- Fire, May 25, 1854-July 18, 1854-October 22, 1854-August, 1856-November 17, 1864-July 17, 1871 -- September 7, 1879-Total loss by fire.
During the first two years of its existence, the young city of Marysville was remarkably free from those disastrous conflagrations that had visited her sister cities, and, lulled into a false sense of se- curity by reason of this inmunity, the citizens made no preparations for the fiery conflict, which, though long delayed, was none the less surely awaiting them. But a series of destructive conflagrations in 1851, awoko them to a realization of their unprotected state, and turned their thoughts from the multitudinous cares of business to the dangers that surrounded them. The first haptism of fire occurred Sunday morning, August 31, 1851. The fire originated in a Chinese wash house on High street, and spread with the ntmost rapidity. The buildings were chiefly of board and canvas, and so dry had they he- come in the long heat of summer that in an almost incredibly short space of time three blocks of them were burning fiercely. The people were panic-stricken. There was no organization to combat the flames, and no one had anthority as a leader. The citizens, however, man- fully disputed the advance of the destroyer, and in two hours suc- ceeded in subduing the flames. The district burned was included between D, Second, E, First streets, the plaza, and the river. The flames were prevented from crossing D street by hanging blan- kets over the fronts of buildings and keeping them thoroughly wet. The buildings burned, eighty in number, were in the chief business por- tion of the city, and the loss was estimated at about five hundred thousand dollars. The old adobe building on D street was among thelost. The next daynew buildings were commenced, and soon the whole territory was again alive with business. But ten days later the citizens had again to contend with the enemy. At one o'clock, Wednesday morning, September 10, 1851, flames were seen issuing from the rear
of the wholesale liquor store of Mitchell & Nunes, on the south side of First street, west of D street. In half an hour twenty-five build- ings situated between D and First streets, Maiden Lane and the river, were in ruins. Water carts were used to convey water to the scene of the conflict, and this was thrown upon the burning buildings by the excited citizens. The estimatedloss was eighty thousand dollars The origin of these fires was doubtful, although generally supposed to have been tho work of incendiaries. Steps were immediately ta- ken to form a fire department, which resulted in the organization of Mutual Hook and Ladder Co., No. I, on the cighteenth of September. At one o'clock in the afternoon of January 23, 1852, a fire broke out in the American Hotel on Maiden Lane. The new fire company re- sponded promptly to tho call to duty, with their hook and ladder apparatus, and soon extinguished the flauies. Again a small fire co- curred on Thursday afternoon, February 19, 1852, in a vacant building on High street. This fire was also subdued before much damage was donc. Thus by the organization of this company the city was hap- pily saved from what might, in both cases, have been disastrous con- flagrations.
The year 1854 was a noted one in the fire annals of the city, no less than three fires occurring, two of them being very destructive. May 25, 1854, a fire was discovered in the Mansion House on the enst side of D street, between Second and Third streets. The Eureka Hand Engine Company and the Mutual Hook and Ladder Company were quickly on the spot, and worked energetically nearly two hours in their endeavor to arrest the course of the devouring element. The block bounded by D street, Maiden Lane, Second, and Third streets was all reduced to ruins except the Empire Block. The flames there crossed D street and fastened themselves upon the theater and court house, formerly the old St. Charles Hotel, and with but few exceptions destroyed the entire block hetween Second, Third, D, and High streets. Then they leaped over Third street and made some progress north, reducing to ashes the Presbyterian Church, and a number of dwellings between Third and Fourth streets. Here their progress was finally arrested, and the fire extinguished. The loss in this blaze was estimated at $158,- 550. The next conflagration was still more extensive and disastrous. A fire originated in a Chinese house on the corner of Second street and Virgin Alley, about 10 o'clock, P. M., July 18, 1854, and although it was subdned in fifty minutes, so fiercely did it burn, that five squares, comprising over two hundred buildings, were swept away. A high wind prevailed and spread the flames so rapidly that it was only with the utmost exertions of the small fire department, aided by the citizens, that they were subdued. The boundaries of the district burned were from the corner of B aud Second streets to the corner of Band Fourth streets, down Fourth street to C street, north to Fifth
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