Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-23
A!EEH AN.BR1As
TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY %, 1897.
THE LATE FIRE.

moval OF our Printing Establishment, during
the ravages Of the late Fire, saved US, from be-
ing.the first messengers Of woe. That painful
task, was promptly and feelingly performed BY
our friends Of the National Intelligencer ard
National Journal, and with an unexpected de-
gree Of accuracy, considering the confusion and
uncertainty that pervaded every channel OF IN
formation. 1t remains for US, however, to give
detailed account, Of the interesting occurren
oes, of one of the most awful and disastrous
DAYS that ever rolled over the inhabitants OF
Alexandria, and we shall discharge the duty as
brieHv a. circumstances will permit.
On the morning of Thursday, the 18th inst.
our Town was happy and prosperous, and the
citizens rose to their usual avocations, Inspired
with all the gratitude and confidence peculiar
20 their previous exemption from species OF
calamity, which providence had so often visited
upon other communities; but IN a few brief mi
,,u,cs the hum of industry was drowned by the
melancholy warnings Of approaching distress,
and in few more, hope and exertion yielded to
APATHY and despair. Human ability seemed to
be utterly inadequate to the task imposed upon
it, & the allied elements Of destruction marched
over US in all their mighty strength and gran
deur, Frustrating every obstacle thrown in their
way, * scattering desolation in every direction.
And so thew would have continued their VIC
tory, till nothing was left to conquer, but for
the humanity and unparalleled alacrity of our
friends from Washington and Georgetown, who
few to our succour by thousands, and, regard.
less Of danger, expense, and every consequence
bu, our salvation, breasted the raging storm
with composure and skill, and saved us from
ruin. All Of US are distressed, and many are
disconsolate; but there is not one whose heart
does not swell with gratitude TO his delivefers,
and who is not filed with admiration oil 'heir
disin,erested philanthropy, and more than
bro,herly affection. We owe them debt
which words cannot acknowledge, and which,
we trust in God, we shall never have an OPP
por,uni,y TO pay in kind; but il is indelliby re-
corded in our memories, and ii ever Citizen oil
Washington OF Georgetown find US iaithless to
our professions, may disgrace be our reward, and
greater calamity, if possible, than that which
has been averted, overwhelm US forever Oh our
own citizens, we must say no more than that
they did their duty to the utmost OF their abili-
~: even delicate females, Of the highest grade
in society, exposed themselves to danger, and
performed services Of the most important cha
racter; but there were strangers among W, who
might have done far less than they did, and still
have exceeded our expectation, and been en-
titled to our thanks We should be wanting
in duty, therefore, did we omit to name them.
Mr.. Brown, the manager Of our Circus, was
here with his corps. As soon as it was seen
that the FIRE must spread, he volunteered his
services and horses TO convey the intelligence
10 Washington, and executed his trust with a
zeal and dispatch which was only exceeded by
his subsequent activity and usefulness Mr..
Samuel Shrock, another Of The corps, was lit
terally worth his weight in gold. At the very
crisis Of the disaster, he mounted the highest
ard s,eepcst roofin town, while every body else
supposed it to be untenabe, and sustaining
himself by shallow gutter within lew inch
es Of the ewes, received water from dormant
window, and applied it so judieiously for hours
together, that he saved the house and prevent.
ed the flames from crossing street at poinl
which was truly regarded as the breast work
to the whole range of property between that
and the river. And in another part Of the
town. the GOODNESS and intrepidi'y Of Mr. John
Campbell, member Of the same corps, con-
,ribu,ed mainly to preserve the fine house own
cd and occupied by Captain Rhodes, and there
by checked the progress Of the FIRE. in the d.
rection OF the Custom-house, and other pro-
perty Of great value. Captain jenkins OF the
steamboat Potomac, was ahost in aimself.-To
him we are indebted for manly services which
one less fearless and efficient could not have
rendered. He was chiefly instrumental in saw
ing vast amount Of properly, among which
was our own office.
II would be fruitless, il not invidious, to dis
,;upuish between the services Of our friends Of
m, - Ceoroe, owo-xnf{,ee ir IN sav