Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-05-09

ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE u
STATES

The undersigned, being a committee ap-
pointed by the citizens Of Cumberland, TO
draft an address TO the people OF the United
States, detailing the particulars OF their late
dreadful calamity, and the coalition to which
they are reduced, and Of soliciting coatribu-
tons IN their behalf, are enabled, from their
own view and from their Inquiries on the sub
ject, to make the following statement.
The town Of Cumberiand Is situated ut the
junction Of Wills Greek with the river Po-
tomac. The national road passing through
the place, has given Il the advantage Of a
great amount Of travel, and large sums were
expended for its accommodation. The pria-
etPal hotel was splendi3 building b. cost the
proprietor upwards Of TWENTY-FIVE thousand
dollars. There were two other large and
conmodious Hotels, well kept and provided,
upon the same square.
Cumberland being the chief town Of Allie
gany county, and is seat Of justice the prin.
ciPai mercantile business Of the county was
here transacted Here also the coal from the
mines Is brought and deposited for transporta-
ilon. The merchants, tradesmen, and me-
chanies, were all In prosperous cireumsian-
ees, and were located, as near as convenient
~ might be, IN the vicinity OF the Hotels.
which formed the centre Of business
The calamitous fire which forBls the oeea-
sion and subject Of this address, broke out at
O'Clock, p. NJ. on Sunday the 18th uIt.-
" originated ia q joinsPs shop and u said 10
have been oceasioned by lighted cigar which
careless boy Is said 10 have thrown among
some shsVings. This shop unhappily stood
ct the northwestern extremity Of ,he business
portion Of the place, and a strong north ,rsa
,etnd, prevailing at the time, the flames, burn
ing shingles and eombustibles, were carried
directly through the heart Of the town. The
CtffZRna lnh0reA feat 10 L..
which wss adjoining the shop where the FIRE
commenced but this vas soon abandoned
a. hopeless. The panic soon became general
ana uncomfortable, and each endeavorinR 10
save hes own ehcets, carried out store goods.
bedding clothing and furniture into the street;
but the houses on both sides were nov In \
tull blaze, the progress Of destruction wss
rapid beyond conception, end those who had
placed their effects IN The streets, were driven
from them By q body Of fame and seorchlOx
smoke that filed the entire space from side 20
side. burning up si5ebOsraS, chairs, tables.
sssiclss 81 male and female attire, beds ana
bedelothes, before the eyes Of their ovneFs.
The inhabitants now withdrew IN despair
70 distance from the raging element. PROM
right 70 left, one unbroken sheet Of lame ex.
tending full a quarter Of mile. ragin0 and
roaring like tornado, was the awful spoeta-
eis presented 70 the eye. The two seesioos
OF the town were completely separated from
eaeh other' 70 those on the west. the fate
ana condition q their friends beyond tie
names inVelSed 70 mystery and dreadful ap.
prchension Mothers we're separated fScn
their children, and wives from their husban.f,
but fortunstsiy Rot . single lie uss Iost.
Ia two hours aDd halG ssvensy-6ve hou,s,
fronting on the principal streets % he town.
including the three Hotels, all the stores Save
one, All Ne dwellings,. shops and materials Of
The tradesnen and msehanies, were burnt 70
the gcOund. The whole namssr Of building,
destroyed, including barns, ssablss, and other
oat buildings, cannot, Il b believed, be short
Of one hundred and 6hy. IN this brief space
% hge, seven hundred people have been rem
safsd h0useiess and OtheTs iss dspiorably de-