Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-09

rope, ana hasten II 10 the dormer case
ments. They then successfully let
themselves down until they could be
reached and taken in an upper window.
Their situation had been watched
with great anxiety, and their GOODNESS
and intrepidity, during the trying mo-
ment of their peril, was hailed by the
liveliest acclamations, Of the specta-
tors, the moment their safety was en-
sured.
Meantime, the work of destruction
proceeded rapidly. The flames burst
up through the roofing with such vio-
lencc as to throw the tiles off in mas.
ses, which tumbled down upon the
pavcments below the imminent danger
of the fremen and others beneath.
The fire poured forth from the dormar
windows; from the gables; and in ga
bles; and in immense columns upwards
from the centre ofthe building. Broad
way was lined with people from Rec
tor-street to the Park, and the adjoin-
ing roofs, windows and balconies were
occupied with beholders. For a long
time the rumbling of scarcely cart
or carriage was to be heard in this part
ofthe city. Business seems to pause
whilst the work OF destruction was 60
ing on.
Owing to the brightness of the morn
ing, ii had not the sublime ndimposing
appearancet that it would otherwise have
faade, although our boatmen inform
that they saw the fire from the lower
bay. The volumes of smoke were thick
and the heat was intense. 1t was so
great as to be oppressive in the neigh
bouring streets. By half past l o'clock
the roof had fallen in; but from the i'm
mensc strength of the timbers used in
this structure, and the oceans of wa
ter which, by this time, pouring into
the fire from every direction, it was
long before the floor gave way, and
admitted the Obstructive element into
the story beneath. 1t did find its way
thlther, however, and soon issued in
living columns from four of the front
windows. But the iremen had evil
IDENTITY obtained the mastery; and con-
trary to the expectation, the body of the
structure will doubtless be saved, al
though there must have been a great
destruction independently ofthe damage
sustained by the building, which cannot
be less than $4,000.
Wehavenever witnessed better con-
duct on the part of the fremen-or
greater GOODNESS and intepidity in
the performance of their arduous
duty. Indeed, from the confusion in
cident to the catastrophe-the heights
70 be scaled to the corhices to be ira.
versed the windows to be entered, and
the falling fragments among the PEG.
pie below, 1t seems remarkably provi-
Ientlal that numbers of lives were
not lost.
The City Hotel as we have already
SAID, occupies an entire square, and
was calculated for the accommodation
ofabout one hundred and sixty gusts.
Besides thepublic department there are
several appropriated to the use of pri-
vatc families and parties, with a sepa-
rate entrance also from Broadway.
In addition to the small parlors and
lodging rooms, it contains one Of the
most spacious and elegant apartments
m the United States chiefly used for
public dinners, balls, and concerts,
No situation in the city has offered
greater convenience for strangers
who may desire to reside near the
principle scenes Of business, fashion
and pleasure.
P. S. Ha5f past one o'c1ock.-The
fire is subdued, with the destruction
only of the upper and attick stories,
and the incident ruination OF property
below. We have just heard that a fire.
man has had dangerous fall and has
been carried from the ground.-Com-
merciat Advertiser.