Detroit, Michigan Fire
May
9, 1848
TERRIBLE FIRE IN DETROIT
DETROIT, May 10 – 9 A. M.
Detroit was visited yesterday by the most
destructive conflagration, yet known in its
history. A fire broke out about half past 11 in
the morning, in a large yellow warehouse,
between Randolph and Bates streets, between 80
and 100 buildings were lain in ashes, including
two or three large warehouses on the river, the
Steamboat Hotel, Water's hotel, and a number of
private residences on Jefferson Avenue.
The district burnt includes some half dozen
blocks. The fire originated from the sparks of
the propeller St. Joseph which was lying at the
wharf in front of the warehouse.
The total loss by this terrible conflagration
we cannot of course form any correct estimate at
present.
It is very great. Some estimate it as high as
$200,000. The number of families burned out was
probably 200, and near 1000 persons were hurried
into the street. The fire raged from 11 A. M. to
3 P. M.; several citizens were more or less
injured in the general scrabble, and we hear
that one person was burned to death, being then
intoxicated, asleep near the Bethel street
Market.
The large brick block in which the Daily
Advertiser Office is located was much damaged,
but the materials were principally saved.
The number of dwellings destroyed was 107,
besides a large number of other buildings.
Prairie Du Chien Patriot Wisconsin
1848-05-24
Submitted & transcribed by Stu
Beitler Thank you,
Stu!
Detroit, May 11, 7 p. m
We are unable to send reports east of the this
city, none having been received from Buffalo. We
subjoin more particulars of the late fire The
total loss by the destructive element is
variously estimated, but we will withhold a
further statement until we receive something
definite, which we expect to have by to-morrow
The area of the ruins covers a fraction over 10
acres of ground; the number of dwellings burned
was 107; bridges, shops, and business places of
various kinds. We have not been able to gather a
complete list of the sufferers. Major Biddle is
among the heaviest sufferers, his loss being
probably from $25,000 to $30,000 A Wales & Co.
from $3,000 to $5,000.
A public meeting was held yesterday at the U. S.
Court-House Building, and several thousand
dollars was promptly subscribed for the
immediate relief of the destitute suffering.
Daily Sentinel And Gazette, Milwaukee, WI
12 May 1848
Transcribed by
Linda Horton. Thanks, Linda!
THE FIRE AT DETROIT.----The fire at
Detroit, briefly noticed in our last, proved to
be a very disastrous one. It broke out on the
9th, about half past 10, A. M., in a large
warehouse.
Between 80 and 120 buildings were destroyed, and
one person was burned to death, said to have
been intoxicated and asleep. The fire barely
spared the brick block in which the Daily
Advertiser is published. Wales' Hotel, the
Steamboat Hotel and two large warehouses on the
river were destroyed. The loss is variously
estimated at from 2 to $300,000.
It is supposed that 200 families, or 1000
persons were deprived of houses. A public
meeting was held on the 10th and several
thousand dollars subscribed for their relief.
Buildings were destroyed upon over ten acres of
land. The fire is said to have originated from a
spark from a propeller.
Racine Advocate, Racine, WI 17 May 1848
Transcribed by
Linda Horton. Thanks, Linda!
The Detroit Advertiser gives a list of
one hundred and fifty-eight names of those who
suffered losses by the fire of the 9th. Maj.
Biddle is among the heaviest sufferers, his loss
is estimated at $25,000, insurance $5,700. T. H.
Eaton $15,000, insurance $4,050. E. A. Brush
$15,000, insurance $6,000.
Hillsdale Whig Standard, Hillsdale, MI 16
May 1848
Transcribed by
Linda Horton. Thanks, Linda!
 Search
for more information on the Detroit Fire
and other disasters in the Historic
Newspapers Collection. The number of
newspapers on line has recently doubled - search
over 1000 different newspapers. Use this
Free trial to search for your ancestors.
Search for ancestors in
Detroit, MI among billions of names at ancestry.com. Use this
Free trial to search for your ancestors.
Michigan
Marriages, 1851-75
Searchable database at ancestry.com. Use this
Free trial to search for your ancestors.
|
