Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-09-13

mr. oi The State and many other valuable lives.
Many OF cur ultcr reader ruo, ar doubtless Ia
mihar with tho PARTICULAR, 81 Jhat awful catas.
'rophe. We give place 60 u.c following brief
acc"un, of the melancholy occurrence. from n
''''''ei that ~ viii prove interesting. =. ,' WN5
have never read any thin. IN relation tou.
f'0n' 'A' in'ri-in StD,iioi 81 Dscol,S.r l.. I-il
MOST DREADFUL CALAMITY.
Last night the play in this CITY was
crowded with an unusual audience
There could not have been le,, than 600
persons IN the hustle. Just before the
conclusion Of the play, the scenery caught
IRE aud in a few moments the whole
building was wrapped IN ilames. I,isaI.
ready asoottaincd that al persons were
devourcd by that most terrific element
he editor u tbs paper was ia the house
when The cver.to.be remembered deplora.
ole accident occurred. lie Isinformed that
The scenery took fire IN the back par, o.
The house, ~ the raising Of chandelier ::
that the boy, who was ordered by some
oi the players 10 raise u, stated that # he
did So the scenery would take fire. when
he was commanded IN apercmp,ory man.
ner to hoist IT. The boy obeycd and the
fire was Instantly communicated to the
scenery. lie gave the alavm to the rear
oil the stage and requested some OF the
attendants 10 Gu: the cord. by " la, h these
ombusrblc material. were su.pended.-
The person whose duty il as 10 perform
this business, became panic struck and
sought his ovn safety. This unfortunate
y happened when one OF the performers
was Play ing near the OcE.sus, and the
greatest par, OF the stage. With It's horrid
dangers, was obscuIcd from the audience
by curtain. The flames spread with
almost H. rapidi,y vi lightning, and the
IRE falling IRON tic ceiling upnn the per
former ~ss the hrSt notice which the rco-
pie had Of their danger. Even then. ma.
ny supposed :; 10 be a part OF the play.
AID were for little v lille restrained from
Hight by, a cry rom the stage that here
was no danger. The performers aud lheir
attendants attempted IN vain 10 tear down
the scenery. The fire flashed into every
part OF the house with a rspi lily horrible
ADD Astonishing and alas gushing tears
and unspeaksble anguish deprived me OF
uuerancc. No tongue can tel. no pen or
pencil can describe the woful catastrophe.
No person who was not present can form
any idea OF this unexampled scene Of hu-
man distress. The Editor having none
OF his family with him, and being no. far
from the door, was among the first who
escaped. No words can express his hor-
ror when on turning round lie discovered
the whole building IN flames. There was
but one door for the greatest part OF the
audience TO psss-mcn, women, and
children we're pressing upon each other.
whie The flames were seiZIng upon those
behind. The Editor went To the different
windoeS which we're not very high and
implOfed LIS fellow creatures 10 save their
lives 10y jumping out of them. Those
nearest tue windows ignorant Of their
great danger, were sirlrd' to leap down.
whist those behind them were catching
un fire and writing IN the sgc .,e.t agoav
AMI distress At length, those behind.
urged 10y thcpressing flames. pushed those
out who were nParest to tho windows
and people Of every description began to
TALL, one upon another some with their
clothes on FIRE. and some half roasted -
Oh wrctchcd me oh afflicted rcople =
Would TO God ! could have died a
thousand deaths ia any shupe. could in
d'Vldual suffering have purchased the
safety Of NY friends, nv bcnchctors. OF
those whom loved and the editor.
with the assistance Of others, caueh, seve.
ral OF those whom hc had begged 10 leap
from The windows. One lady jumped
out when oil her clothes were on fire
He tore them Burning lfDm her; stripped
her oi her last faas and protecting her
nskcIucss vi'b hiS c1s', bore Der from
ih- iitc -- Fl'len and mother. were &c.
plIurg Tie lH.s Ncir children. chi.
dfen The lo.s ~ their phrcns-busbsnds
were heard lo laucnt their To-, eompan-
ions. wives we're b"uolniuk their burnt
husbands. The people were seen wiring
my their hands. bes,ing their heads and
breasts, and tho.c "a b. had secured them.
selves seemed 20 suffer gfca'cr torncnis
than those who acre cuytloped m nsncs
oh distfaciing memory who that Jaw
this, can think Of Il rgain aud set fo'sin
bis senses Do dream ~. no Oh
that 81 were bot q dream Ay God 3
Who that saw hiv friends and dearest cor
ncvions dcyoufed by Ere aud lying 10
heap, at the doors, will not regret ihai
he ever lived to see such ,,zhi Could
sAyages have seen this memorable event
. would soften even their hearts A
sad gloom pervadcs the place and every
countenlnce IS cast down 10 the earth
The loss ct an hundred ihous5nd friends
In the GclI " battle. could not touch The
heart like this Enough Imagine " DO,
cannot bc descnJej The most distant
and impilolbie enemy, ADD the most 81.
wage Jaibansns. will oondole our unhappy
lot.
An Of those in The pat escaped and clear
cd Ihemselvrs from lbe house before those
Who we're IN the boxes could get down
and the door vas Cor sometime empty
Those from above wero pushing each other
down The steps. when the hindmost might
ha,e got out hy leaIing into She p,l-A
gentleman end lady who otheraisc would
have peushed, hd their lives saved by
being proWdsnlially thrown from he So.