Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-30
AWFUL CALAMITY.

We copy from the Kittanng Pa. armstrong
Coz Gazette and Columbian, the following ac-
count of most distressing occurrence.
On the night Of Friday the 18th inst the house
and barn of Capt JOHN C. KIssINGER, of Toby
township, in this county, were consumed by
fire. and what is most shocking to relate, nine OF
has children persisted in the flames! The parents
were absent on visit to Mrs. Kssnger's fathers,
distance of about eight miles. Out of eleven
children two only are left-one an infant, which
the parents had with them, the other daugh-
ter of years of age, who was away from home.
The way the fire originated is not known and
ii was not discovered till about O'Clock the fol-
lowing mornings One horse and large guam
tty of grain were consumed; III short, nothing
was left in or about the house or barn unconsum-
ed
gentleman who had been present at the
scene of the calamity, subsequently called upon
us, from whom we learned few additional par
ticuars The sufferers were from nineteen
years of age downwards. So far as could be
observed, the bones were in the same relative
position in which they slept which leads to the
belief that they were smothered in their beds
by the smoke before the flames reached them.
One only had gone to a different part of the
house. Awful as was the agent of their death
it was probably attended with but little suffering
The unhappy parents, we are told, were at first
(and very prudently too) only informed of the
destruction Of their property. The father re-
turned on Saturday, but the mother remained
at her fathers until the next morning still igno
rant of the extent of her loss. When she ar
rived, she surveyed for moment, the smoking
ruins, and then asked for her chiIdrem-Let the
reader imagine, if he can, the effect Of the
shocking disclosure
1t is a a remarkable circumstance, and one
to heghten if possible the distress of these pa
rents that their oldest child was burnt to death
some years since.
A horse and yoke Of oxen were burnt A
dog that lay in the barn, was burnt, and his
bones where found in the place in which he was
accustomed to lie Two large hogs were con-
sumed in the pen although the door was open.
On Sunday the bones of the children were
collected deposited in a coffin and buried, in
presence of large concourse of sympathising
friends and neighbors. An impressive discourse
was delivered at the grave by the Rev. Mr.
M'Garraugh
1t would be but mockery in us to attempt to
excite, or to heighten, by any reflection of ours,
the feelings of sympathy and commisseration
which must burst forth in every feeling heart
upon the perusal of the above narration. We
do not remember of having heard of vista
ton of Providence upon single family so over
whelmng, SO desolating, so fraught with every
circumstance of wo, as this We are persuad-
ed that every thing which lies in the power of
kind neighbors will be done to restore peace
and impart consolation TO the few afflicted mem
bers Of this family that have survived the shock
ing tragedy; but that merciful Being who does
not willingly afflict the children Of men, has
seen good to present to their lips cup Of sor-
row which he alone can Sweeten.