Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-04

hall past TWO oCloCh, no OMo N
four story brick store Of Messrs. Haydock, Clay
a Co wholesale druggists, No. al Pearl street, |
onnosite the Fulton Bank, which with its contents
was entirely DESTROYED There was init a We
nv fun stock Of goods, which was insured for
$40 900, and is Of course total loss 10 the IN
surance Company. The secono s'o1y u, VI ;le
building was occupied by Edwin n; Iaie, ia
nan ware dealer, whose stock was also destroy
ed, but whether this gentleman was insured or
moi. we have not yet ascertalneo. nc laliu
floor was used for the storage OF crocKery waie
by Willis & Brothers, who had no insurance
The building belonged to the heirs OF tne ia'e
IL. G. Kane. and may be valued at $6,UOU.
The most distressing result of this conhagra
ton is vet to be recorded. About six o'clock
and when the fire was subdued, and many OIL
the flremen with their machines had wltndra"h
en- gines Nos. 10 and Is remained on the grouna
to ensure safety. In the 4th story was stanone9
Mr. John McBirar, foreman OF No. IT, ano
Messrs. ARENAS Cover and BENJAMIN b in .he
assistants with their hose and pipe; ana III Ine
| lst story Messrs. Edward Croker, Eugene IN
derhill, Frederick Ward, and Zophar Mills,
members Of engine No. l3.
| MI McBirar in the fourth story, in casting
his eyes upwards observed several bricks failag,
and being aware that all the interior OF the
rear had been burned away, and the roof mucn
injured. he cautioned his associates OF their
danger. His words were scarcely spoken, when
the neak Of the gable end of the south side OF
the store, having nothing to support IT. fell
in with dreadful crash carrying all the noofs
down into the cellar.
! Mr.. McBirar who was three OF four feet from
the front window, instinctively sprang to the
sill, on which he held, thereby. saving himself
from destruction, while Mr.. Cover and Mr.
Blonk were precipitated into the second story,
among the falling ruins. Mr.. Cover was com.
p,etey buried, but with prompt assistance was
,escued alive. He is however, very much lnJu-
int ollty
was more fortunate; he found himself snleioeo
by Franklin stove, which fell diagonally over
him, without crushing him. From this situation
we saw him with difficulty eXtrcated, and are
happy to say with comparatively little injury
Not so with the gentlemen on the first door;
they received the whole contents OF all the $40
ries upon them, and were dashed into the Gel
lar. MIR. Croker after remaining in this nor
rible situation half an hour, was dug out from
the ruins, terribly burnt and mutilated. Mr..
Mills was also taken out much hurt. AT nine
O'Clock, when we left the scene, Mr.. Underhlll
and Mr.. Ward remained buried, without any
prospect of being taken out alive.
Posiscript.-We visited the fatal spot again
at eleven O'Clock, when the alarm bells called
for further aid, and found four streams OF wa
. ter playing from the engines. Our worst fears
were realized; MIR. Underhill and Mr.. Ward are,
without doubt, dead beneath the ruins. Several
attempts have been made to get them out Out
the bricks with which they are covered, are so
hot that they cannot be handled, ana tne lnse-
cure situation of the walls renders it extremely
hazardous to venture in the cellar Inc walls
are now propping.
MIR. Croker, who was rescued at half past
six, is of the firm Of Sands e. Croker, Roose-
welt street, formerly foreman of No. Is, ana
now Warden of the 4th Ward. He owes ms
security to his wonderful presence of mind,
which never forsook him moment from the
time of the accident to his extrication. he re-
manned in his dreadful enclosure without motion,
and. perfectly calm and collected, although sui
fering the most excruciating agonies, calling to
his friends for aid His greatest injuries are in
the right foot and Leg the hrst OF winch is CRUSH
ed, and the other burnt
MIR. Underhill, who now lies beneath the ru
ins, is about "a years of age, druggist, in Peck
Slip, without family, and recently commenced
business. Mr.. Ward is about twenty years old
clerk to Adams & Brothers, importers of crocke
lry, 24S Pearl street-both young gentlemen Of
the highest responsibility.
While on the spot, which is blocked up by an
, immense concourse Of people, we witnessed a
great excitement both among the firemen and
, Citizens. occasioned by the flimsy manner in
which this fated building was erected. The
bricks which have already fallen. have come
down almost Invested of mortar-and 1t is ale
ged by the firemen that II 1t haa oeen Quit VIII,
ordinary strength, they would not now lament
the dreadful loss of their fellows, who CO faithful
lIy remained at their posts. So frequent are ia
tai accidents occasioned by this mode building,
that it will in future tend very much to deter this
intrepid class of our citizens from fulfilling their
periIous and thankless duties unless the city au-
thorities prevent the erection ofthese sham ed
iices; for who would endanger their lives to
guard from destruction the property of those
lwho from cupidity rear houses which on the
slightest contingency are ready to topple on their
, heads?
Half past one o'clock-We have detained our
paper in hope Of being able to give some fur
Their particulars. At this time there is no dimi
mutton of the crowd around the walls, who are
waiting with the most intense anxiety and ago.
nv of feeling for the exhumaton of the unfortu.
nate Underhill and Ward.
The most vigorous exertons are making to
support the walls, and when that is completed
) and it cannot be till then, that any person will
venture within them.
From present appearances, it is probable that
it will be near dark before their bodies will be
recovered.-Netr York Commercial.
A FURTHER SUPPLY OF
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