New York Times, July 23, 1860
The Houston (Texas) Republic, of the 14th inst., contains an account of the great fire, which destroyed the town of Dallas on the 8th inst., a brief notice of which we obtained by telegraph. It says:
“Just as we were going to press we received intelligence of one of the most terrible conflagrations it has of late been our fortune to record. On Sunday, July 8th, at about half after one o’clock, the citizens of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, were startled with the terrible cry of fire. The flames had broken out in front of PEAK’s new-drug store, which almost immediately enveloped the whole house. It was a two story frame, and filled with stores of all kinds. The fire then spread to SMITH’s warehouse, then to the Herald Office, from which nothing but the books could be removed. The Herald office was a total loss, four presses, material of every kind, clothing, in fact everything. But we learn from a letter received in this city from the proprietor, that the paper will again be in operation in less than six weeks, new material of every kind having been ordered.
The St. Nicholas Hotel, a large three-story frame-building, 100 feet front, by 100 feet back, is totally consumed. SMITH & MURPHY’s brick store burnt. SHIEK’s new warehouse and store, with entire stock of goods; the Crutchfield House and all its furniture, including the Post office and the mail matter in it. WESTEN’s corner, SIMON’s new building just framed; the old tavern, SADDLER’s shop, HIRCH’s large storehouse with entire lot of goods. CARR’s new frame building.
SIMON’s store and goods. NICHOLSON & FERRI’s Exchange office. THOMAS’ drug store. ELLETT’s storehouse and goods. MCCAY’s law office and books. STACKPOLE’s entire establishment and goods. LYNCH’s establishment. CAMTH’s store-house and goods. FLETCHER’s mercantile establishment. BIRTLE’s old establishment and private residence. Mrs. BINGHAM’s old residence. Law office, books and papers belonging to LEONARD, MCKENZIE, CROCKETT, ADAMS, CHAPMAN, RUSSELL, HAY, and the medicine, surgical instruments and libraries of Drs. PRYOR, SPENCER, JOHNSON and THOMAS.
It was impossible to compute the exact loss, which will in all probability exceed $300,000. All are houseless and homeless, now, and was indeed a rude awakening from last Sunday’s afternoon siesta, the citizens of Dallas experienced. Many barely escaped with their lives, and clothing they happened to have on at the time.