The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-26

u
legraph for The following particulars OF most de-
siructiye IRE wilh which that borough was visited
on Friday night Most sincerely do We condole with
the sufferers, while the conduct of the heroic fe-
males who assisted In exingushing the flames, is
worthy the mairons, wives and daughters OF pa
lriolic and republican Commonwealth. II does them
infinite honor.
Extract iothf Editor, daied
HARaIsBuao, July 81, 1888,
Half past 3 o'clock A. M
Dean SlR | have Just reached my Office from
one OF the most destructive CONGREGATIONS that this
town has ever suffered, exhausted, scorched, worn
down and faiigued, until can scarcely wag my
PEN shall therefore, give You but brief and faint
outline Of the calamity
The fire broke ou about FIVE o'clock last evening,
IN barn belonging 10 Mr.. Osler, in Walnut near
Fourth street, supposed to have originated from
sparks from the furnace Of Mr.. Graydcn, where
loads Of grains that had been deposited had passed.
The weather was exceedingly hot, and every thing
dry and ready for combustion as could be desired.
Inc alarm was given Immediately, and in a few
minutes the streets were filled with engines, hose
and people, all eager TO arrest The devourng flames.
bui despite all exeriions, they spread with fearful
rapidly. In as brief period, they had commune
Gated TO the foundry, the stables OF Colder Wilson,
ana The board yard Of Mr. Holman The wind blew
gale, and while all efforts were directed to one
point, an unprecedented spread of destruction in
another threw all into confusion and uproar. The
fire ragged about four hours, sweeping every thing
IN US way between Walnut and Market, and Fourth
and Fifth Streets and was finally arrested al Market
street. AFTER great exertions the part of our cit
zens The amount OF the destruction am not able
TO give but It is heavy Among theruins is the beau
uful house Of Mr. Muench, and one Of MIR. Shan
mons on Market street three barns Of Mr.. Holman
on Filth street the board yard of the latter, part Of
he foundry, and stables and private dwellings that
cannot mention. The Lutheran church and the
buildings al one lime thought 10 be gone, were saved
Also Mr.. Jennings new house on Market street.
~ 1ad hut ha Ere he btyf ha
skil and perseverance Of the engines and their con-
trollers More than thirty families are turned out
OF doors and are this moment without house or home
The distress will be great The loss cannot be less
than S2O,00O, independent Of insurance, which was
considerable
Our citizens behaved nobly during the whole, and
the goods which were srewed in the streets in all
quarters, were taken off by police appointed for
The purpose. But our females exceeded all. More
than l,OOO amongst whom the most respectable,
despite the heat Of the weather, crowded into the
ranks, and cheered on the men by deeds OF bravery
and daring, that would have done honor 10 the ma
irons OF Macedonia. Our females are distinguished
Tor such things-but his scene exceeded all. No
lives were lost; but many sank exhausted under The
fatigues of the occasion.
In haste, am yours, &c.
The following additional account is from posi-
script 10 he HarriSburgh IntelligeEcer
AWFUL CONFLAGRATIoN-H A
SQUARE OF HARRIsBURGH IN RUINS
july 20--9 o'clock, r. M.
Part OF our edition having been worked of, we
stop the press 10 insert the melancholy intelligence,
that our town has, this afternoon, experienced the
most destructive fire known here for years.
The fire originated in stable belonging to Mr.
OSler, near Graydon's foundry; thence il commu-
nicated 10 the lumbsr yard Of Messrs HOLMAN g.
Simmons, adjoining the new brick building Of Capt
G. +. Muench, which, together with some ten or a
dozen frame buildings, were entirely destroyed.
Messrs. HOLMAN & Simmons, Colder & shannon
we understand are the principal sufferers; Captain
Muench had his properly ensured
Every thing was done by the fire companies and
citizens that could be done and the progress Of the
flames was arrested, even after many had despaired
and given mp The splendid Lutheran church and adj
joining block, as lost beyond hope Male and female
labored earnestly; the latter, particularly, deserve
all praise for their concern !; and the rankest po-
cal and personal animosilies were forgotten in the
strife for The protection OF the properly of fellow
citiZens.
A good deal of furniture was taken from The
houses, but STILL in the of frame buildings Of
MIR. HOLMAN, large quantity efl for the rava-
ges of The flames. Owing 10 the dry weather and
intense heat every thing appeared to burn as if com
posed OF materials rs combustible as powder; and a
high wind rendered the task OF stopping the devour
ing elements Herculean indeed.
There was but one pump within several rods of
the stable which first took fire, all might have been
saved, by dampng the lumber, and thus combining the
FIRE to the stable After the engines gotto work
wafer was very scaIce having 10 DC Drought SeVefal
squares; line was, however, finally formed 10 the
canal, when more plentiful supply was obtained.
We hesitate not to say that, had the Harrsburgh
Water Company been carried out, nothing but the
stable would have suffered. Let our citizens think
of this, and also 10 be warned by the calamity to
ensure their property.
A committee OF safety has been appointed for the
protection Of personal property during the night;
Thomas FL. Burrowes who was on the ground du-
rng the whole dreadful scene, with his coat off,
hard at work, is chairman. The heaps of burning
embers are yet dangerous should The wind not abate
1t is still blowing briskly, but the crowd around
are vigiant and active
We sincerely sympathize with the sufferers. 1t
is not known how the fire originated, but supposed
by accident