The Somerset Herald And Farmers' And Mechanics' Register

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT RICHMOND.

We regret to learn, by a Telegraphic despatch last evening from Richmond, that a destructive fire occurred in that city yesterday morning. Gallego's valuable flour mills were totally destroyed; also, the Shockoe tobacco warehouse, Haxall and Brothers' office, the stores of John Robinson, Alfred Harris, Butterworth's tannery, W. Williams's auction establishment. Messrs. Ford & Woodson's and Shepherd's commission houses, besides a number of small buildings.

Since the foregoing was put in type, a friend has sent us the annexed letter, dated at Richmond at 7 o'clock yesterday morning:

"Ere this reaches you half the business part of Richmond will be in ashes. About half past five the Gallego mills were discovered to be on fire, and by the time the engines arrived the whole of those which were next communicated to Morris's Warehouse, now a part of Shockoe Warehouse, and thence to the buildings on Cary street, south side, extending down to Williams & Haxall's opposite the Columbian. When I left the scene all the houses with the exception of Williams & Haxall's, at the corner, were on fire, all being shingled. The fire still continues to rage, and seems to baffle the efforts of our vigilant and active firemen, who have heretofore been able to save where all seemed lost. God only knows where it will be arrested. Yours in haste.

P. S. The whole square on fire—Shields & Somerville, Beasley & Co., Bow & Dean, Haxall & Williams, Shockoe Warehouse and the Columbian in danger.—Nat. Int."