The Virginian

DISTRESSING FIRE:

FREDERICKSBURG, June 11.--On Monday last, about 1 o'clock in the morning, our town was again visited by a most distressing and awful fire. It originated in the large stable belonging to the Farmers' Hotel, occupied by Mr. Jas. Young, which was so rapidly consumed, that 20 of the horses within, most of which were very valuable, perished in the flames. An adjoining stable, owned by Mr. Horace Marshall, soon shared the same fate. This, however, was but the beginning of the destruction that was to follow. The wind, which was unfortunately high, and blew from the North East, soon carried the flames to the main street, whence from the corner house occupied by Mr. Robt. Gibbs until they reached the lowest house of the Brick Buildings, their progress was not stayed until every front tenement on that side of the street became a heap of ruins. On the opposite side, the fire was communicated first to the wooden tenement belonging to Thomas Cary, which, together with all the front building below it on the square, were soon reduced to ashes. Owing to the great exertions of the citizens of Fredericksburg and Falmouth, with assistance of the engines, and the companies attached to them, the flames were happily arrested. Had they have reached the Indian Queen Tavern on the one side or the tenement occupied by Major Wiglesworth, on the other, both large wooden buildings, most of the lower end of the town must assuredly have been destroyed. The number of dwelling houses burnt is fourteen, and all insured, to the amount, we are told, of $40,000. Several individuals, however, have lost much of their furniture, goods, &c. and we cannot but sympathise with some of the traveling country friends whose horses were burnt to death. One gentleman we know of have lost his carriage and two fine horses It is no alleviation to our feelings to say, that this conflagration can be accounted for in no other way than as the work of an incendiary. There are no circumstances to lead us to believe it the effect of accident. Let the wretch who perpetrated the dark deed, survey the ruin and devastation he has produced, with all the malignant joy of which his guilty heart is capable; or let him riot on the paltry gain he has plundered from the distressed victims of his own fiend-like barbarity, but let him remember at the same time, that justice, however slow in its approach will, sooner or later, certainly overtake him.

The following are the names of the persons who occupied the houses that were consumed: Robert Gibbs, leather store; James Q. Johnson, Saddler's shop; Major, tallow chandler; Richard Johnson, dry goods store; Hazlewood Farish; George Rothrock and son, copper and tin ware store; James Waddle, dry goods store; Capt. Ed. Pritchett; Josiah H. Doe, pottery; James Wilkins, (colored man,) barber's shop; Thomas Cary (ditto, ditto; Anthony Kale, confectioner's shop; Wm. Pearson, hatter's store and manufactory: and Richard G. Peacock, watch and clock maker.

[Herald.]