Destructive fire.
--A fire occurred in Lewisburg, N. C., on the night of the 28th inst., destroying property to the amount of $60,000. It commenced in a drinking saloon occupied by J. C. Aycocke. A letter to the Petersburg Express says:‘ The fire spread with great rapidity east and west — on the east, burning J. J. Minetree's carriage-house, and a large two-story workshop, occupied by Mr. W. H. Ferguson, coach maker, &c. Yarbrough & Barrow's store, opposite, was rescued by great exertions, but it sustained considerable damage. The flames spread, also, west from the saloon, destroying R. Noble's store, occupied by Joel Thomas, and next to P. J. Brown & Son's and Wm. G. Collins' --lower story occupied by Dr. Edward Lawrence--from thence north, burning T. N. Carliles', Dr. W. R. King, Shaw & White, and greatly endangering the residence of Mrs. H. Shaw.
’ From Collier's corner the devouring element crossed the street, burning to the ground the store of Ballard & Massenburg; also, N., B. Walker's and the Temperance Hall, where its devastations were checked by the almost superhuman efforts of those on hand. In rear of Ballard & Massenburg's was situated Dent's Hotel, which soon, with all the out-houses, became a prey to the rushing elements.
All the property destroyed was nearly new, and the stores, which were known to many of your citizens, were most elegant buildings, and finished in very costly style. The goods, with some exceptions, were saved, but in a very damaged condition. In consequence of their nearness to the fire, many were burnt, after being removed from tenements. Many thefts were committed during the confusion.
With but two or three exceptions, the merchants are insured, principally in the Greensboro' and Raleigh Mutual Insurance Companies of the State. I understand Mr. W. G. Collins is not insured. His loss is supposed to be $4,000 or $5,000. Mr. B. Walker is also without insurance, his policy having expired on the 21st inst. The other sufferers are insured all or in part. It is conjectured the total loss will be in the neighborhood of sixty thousand dollars.
During the removal of the goods from the store of Ballard & Massenburg, a gun exploded, killing W. B. Brown, a very estimable young man of the town.
