Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-10
LAMENrABLE Event.


ThIs morning at about half past two o.
clock, fire broke out in the four story brick
store OF Messrs ilaydock, Clay X Go. whole
sale druggists, No. al Pearl street, opposite
The Fulton Bank, which with its contents wa.
entirely destroyed. There was in AZ A full
stock Of goods, which was insured for
$4,000, and Is Of course a total loss 10 the
Insurance Company. The second story OF
The building was occupied by Edwin Il. lale
iJsPan-ware dealer, whose stock was also dc .
troyedr but whether this gentleman was in.
sured or not, we have lot yet ascertained. -
The third hoor was used for the storage oil
eroekery ware by Willis < Brothers, who had
no insurance. The building belonged 10 the
heirs Of the late j. G. Kane, and may be val
ued AZ $4,000.
The most distressing result Of this confa.
grafton Is yet 10 be recorded. About six o..
clock, when the fire was subdued, and many
Z OF the hrcmen with their machines had with.
drawn, engines Nos. 10 and - remained ON
the ground to insure safety. Ia The ilh story
was stationed Mr.. John McBiran, foren man o.
No. 10 and Messrs. ARENAS Cover and
Benjamin Blonk, assistants with their hose
and pipo and in the first story Messrs. FL.
ward Croker, Eugene UndcrhIll Frederick
Ward, and Zophar Mills, members OF engine
! No. ~.
MIR. McBiran, in the 9TH story, in casting
ms eyes upwards, observed several brick, fai.
ing, and being aware that all the interior OF
The rear had been burned away, and the roof
much injured, he cautioned his associates nj
their danger. Ills words were scarcely spo-
ken. when the peak of the gable end Of the
south side OF The store, having nothing 10 sun
port u, Tell IN with dreadful crash, carry
ing all the floors down INTO the cellar.
Mi McBiran, who was three or four feet
from The front window, instinctiyeIy sprapr
70 The SUI, on which he held, thereby saving
hinsei from destruction, while Mr.. Cover
ana mr. Blonk were Precipitaied into the Sc
conu story, among the falling ruins. Mr.
Cover was completely buried. but with
prompt assistance was rescued alive. lie Is
however, very much injured, both externall,
aud internally. Mr.. Bionk was more forth
nate he found himself shielded by 4 Frank
I'm stove, which fell diagonally over him
without crushing hum From this situation
we saw him with difficulty extricated, and
are happy to say with comparatively little
injury.
Not so with the gentlemen on the first floor
'hey received the whole contents Of all The
stories upon them. aud were dashed into tie
cellar. Mr.. Croker, after remaining in thi,
horrible situation, half an hour, was du, out
from the runs, terribly burnt aud mulilIted
Mr Mills was also taken out much hurt At
nIne o'clock when We left the DIRE adful scene
Mr- Undcrhill aud Mr.. W ard remained buried
without any prospect Vi beng taken oul
alive.
osTscRirr-Wc visited tic fatal snot
again al III o'clock, when tie alarm bell,
called Tor further aid, and found four stream,
OF water playing from the engines. Our worst
Tears were realized; Mr.. Uuderhhi ami MIR
ward arc, without doubt, dead beneath the
RUNS. Several attempts have been made 10
get uem out, but the bricks with which they
are covered. arc so hot, that they cannot be
handled, AMI tie insecure situation Of The
walls renders It extremely hazardous 10 ven.
n'e W TIE cellar. The walls are now prop
piSs.
MIR. Crooker who was rescued a, half. ,,,,
SIX, ~ Of the firm Of sands = Crooker. Ro,,e.
Vele street, formerly foreman Of No. Is. aud
now warden Of tie lth Ward. lie owes IA.
security to his wonderful presence Of mind
which never iorsook him a moment from, The
Time OF The accident 10 his eNtricaiion. n.
renamed ~ his dreadful enclosure w,tho,t
motion, and, perfectly calm and cojie,tcg
although Suffering the most excrutiat,pv 400.
nie', calling 10 his friends Tor ah. Il,, yro,
te-t ihJnrie, are IN the right foot aud Lee a..
hFsi Of which - crashed, and the other byr,,
MI JndcrhHi, who how lies beneath the
,N",'' - ABOUT ~ Years OF age, druggist in I
feck SIP without family, and recently com.
meheed blslnc,.. Mr.. Ward - about ,Son.
y years old, clerk % Adams aud Brother.
importers Of crockeJy, IA Pearl street bot,
young gentlemen Cf The highest respect,b,iit, +
while on the spot, which 9, blocked up b, /
an immense eoneour'o ofpcoPic. NC witness. /
ca greet excitement, both among the IRE
men and citizens, Ooeasioned By The n,mO
manner ~ which ihis fated building wss erre.
Ted. The bfick which have ALREADY r,li,,
have come down ilfso,l diseslel 81 g,off.r
ahd u - lIfsed BY The Grcmen. tbatift
been bnht With ordinary strength. they would +
not nos lament tlio dreadful lD., Of Their ~
io"'' Who ~ faithfully remained at their
posts. 50 frequent are fatal scerieni. oec, /
''9neH by tbs mode of huilling thaf ~ vii
90 inlnfe icni very much o. deter tbt, ifir,. /
pa class n our citizens from fiiGu,ev thet,
Periious and hankiess duties, unless he eif, f
authorities PREVENT The erection of thee th,o. D
edihces i0r whp would sndanref their lie.
70 guard rom dottruetoh the property ofi
lho,o Who. ffom oapidiy. rear houses sfiet 4
'n TIE sliEhiest contingency arc ready ~ too.
PIE on their heads
H'tF Pssr osE o'olocs we h,v, A. 1
'tit 81 our paper She hope Of buins .hie 4,
gre ,ome further particulars ATM, zine
ihefc - 10 dimihuti0u q Tie crowd arousIl
l"e walls Who are waiting wiih the most IL.
'ells 4-tieiy lnd agony u feeling or ms