Fire in Concord.—The Middlesex Hotel, in this town, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday last. The fire broke out in the attic, a little after 10 o’clock, A.M., in a place which leaves room for belief that it was the work of an incendiary. The firemen and citizens generally were on the ground in a remarkably short time after the alarm was given, and by great exertions prevented the flames from extending to any of the neighboring buildings. So well directed were their labors, that not even the stable connected with the hotel was injured, though its distance from the latter is very short.—At first, it seemed that nothing could save the neighboring buildings, but a sudden change of the wind carried the burning fragments in a direction where they were less likely to prove injurious. Cinders fell on several buildings, but no damage was done.
The hotel was totally consumed. The insurance on it was $4100, of which amount the Middlesex Mutual office is holden for $2500, and the remainder falls on one of the Boston offices. How nearly this may cover the loss of the proprietor, Mr. T.D.Wesson, we have not learned. The house was occupied by Colonel John Wilson, one of the most efficient and popular of our country landlords. He had insurance on his furniture and other articles in the building to the amount of $1800 at the Middlesex Mutual office. The total value of his furniture, &c., was $3000. His chief loss, however, is the be found in the interruption of his business, at a season when it is most profitable. This cannot be estimated, but it must be large, and entitles him to the sympathy and assistance of our citizens.
Among the articles destroyed in the building were the swords, belts, standard, and several uniforms belonging to the Concord Artillery, which company had their armory in the hotel.
Colonel Wilson has requested us to express to his neighbors and townsmen, his deep sense of kindness in exerting themselves to save his property from destruction.
The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, the Sheriff, and other County officers who were present, have requested us to return their thanks to the Citizens of Concord for their exertions to preserve the buildings belonging to the County.
At no fire which has occurred in this town, did the people turn out more generally, or work more arduously and efficiently. Their labors can only be appreciated by those acquainted with the localities, all of whom must think it wonderful that the flames were kept from spreading, especially as the hotel was a high building, overlooking all in its neighborhood, and therefore more likely to scatter the elements of destruction.