Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-03
RICHMOND, Dec. ~.
From the american Standard
Most Dreadful Calamity.

could not have been less than six hundred
persons 10 the house. Just before the con.
clusion OF the play, the scenery caught ere,
and ia few minutes the whole building
was wrapt in flames. It is already ascer-
tai0ed that 81 persons, were dcvoured by
that most terrific element. The editor oil
this paper was in the house when the ever
TO-. be remembered, deplorable accident &C.
Cured. He is informed that the scenery
took are in the back part of the house, BY
the raising OF chandelier +: that the boy,
who was ordered by some of the players
to raise it. stated il he did so, the scenery
would take Are, when he was commanded
in a perempsory manner, TO hoist it. The
boy obeyed, aud the fire was Instantly com.
municated to the scenery. He gave the
alarm in the rear OF the stage, ani request.
ed some Of the attendants to cut the cords
by which these combustible materials were
suspended. The person, whose duty i,
was to perform this business, became panic
struck, and sought his own safety. This
unfortunatel, happened at time when one
of the performers was PLAYING near the
ochestra, aud the greatest part of the stage
with its horrid danger, was obscured from
the audience by curtain. The flame:
spread with almost the rspidity of light
Ming and the fire falling from the ceiliog
upon the performer, was the first notice
which the people had of their danger.s E.
ven then, many supposed IL to be a part Of
the play, and were tor little time restrain
ed from Aigh. by cry from the stage tha
Il h.. :
their attendants, in vain, endeavored te
tear down the scenery. The fire rLAsHEr
into every part ofthe house with rapidty
horrible and astonishing, and, alas ! Gush
ing tears and uaspeska5le anguish deprive
me of utterance. No tongue can tell, nc
pen or pencil can describe, the woeful ca
tastrophe. No person who was nor present
can form an idea of this unexampled scene
Of human distress. The Editor having
none Of his faaa,ly with him, and being no,
far from the door, was among the Hrsr who
escaped.
No words can express his horror, when
on turning round, he discovered the whole
building ia flames. There was but one
door for the greatest part ofthc audience te
pass. Men women and children were
pressing upon eich other, while the flames
were seizing upon those behind. The
editor went TO the different windows which
were not very high, and implored his fell
low creatures to save their lives BY jumping
oat OF them. Those nearest to the win,
do~s, ignorant of their great danger were
afraid to leap down, whilst those behind
them, were seen catching on FIRE, and
wri,h,ng in the greatest agonies of pain and
distress. AT length, those behind, urged
by the pressing a,mes, pushed those ou'
who we're nearest to the windows, and PEG.
pie OF every description began to fall, one
upon another. some with their clothes or
h'c; some half roasted; Oh wretched me
On 4filicted people Would to God could
have died thousand deaths in any saap-,
could individual suffering have purchased
the safety of mv friends nv benefactors
OF those whom loved **s The editor with
the asaistance Of others, caught several u
those sshpm nc had begged to leap from tht
windows. One LADY jumped out when al
her clothes were on hfe. He tore them
burning, from her: stripped her OF her las
rags and protecting her u.kcdnrss with hi,
coat, carried her from the FIRE Father,
and mothers were deploring the loss o
their children children the loss of thei
parents. Husbsnds were heard to lamen
their lost companions; Wives were be
moaning their burnt husbands. The PEG
pie were seen wringiug their hands, beatin,
their heads and breasts, and those who HAT
secured themselves, seemed to suffer great
ertorments than those who were enveiopet
In flames. sae
Oh distressing memory Who, that saw
this, can think of it again, and yet retai'
his senses. Do dream No, No. Oh
that It were but dream. Ny God Wht
that saw his friends and deareaf coun q ctinn.