Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-04-17
NEWS, POLITICS. sc.
From the Norfolk Beacon Of April 4.
FIRE In PORTSMOUTH, yA.-LoSS OF

Abou, twelve o'clock on Wednesday
night our citizens were aroused by the
cry Of fire, and few there were in the up
DER part of the town, who did not shrink
from the red glare that illuminated tho
southern sky far and wide. Our first
impression was that all Water street was
in flames, but, on reaching Marke, Square
il was evident that the ~neighboring town
OF Porthsmouth was a prey to the evour-
ing element. We learn that the fire orig
mated in the basement story OF q large
brick tenement occupied by the Post Of
fee and the Bookstore of Mr.. Anderson.
When it was discovered, the store was
wrapped in flames, and with the hope OF
subduing the fire the doors were kept clo-
sed, and neither books nor papers belong
ing to the Post Office or MIR. Anderson
were saved.
On the second floor Of the building was
the Office ofthe Portsmouth Times, which
we regret to add, with all its materials
and stock of printing and other paper,
was wholly consumed. If the sympathy
of the community for the unexpected and
heavy loss of our compatrlot otthe Times
can avail TO lessen the calamity, he Ger.
tainly shares il in an eminent degree.
Above the Office of the Times was the
Hall of the Odd Fellows, who have lost
all their furniture and equipments. The
adjoining tenemen, occupied by Mr.. VIM.
D.. Roberts as a Tin and Copper Factory
was also destroyed, nearly all its contents
having been saved. MIR. Roberts CON-.
pu,es his loss at or near $1,000, and Mr..
Hill of the Times at or near S4OO9-
The wooden building east OF the Post
Office took fire and was extinguIshed,
but nevertheless was the scene of an ac-
cident Of the most painful character
The house was occupied by Mr.. Thomas
G. Goodwin, as a Cabinet Warehouse, and
its proprietor was busily engaged IN sa-
wing all that he could from the impend-
ing ruin. He succeeded in saving much,
and was in the act OF removing a chest
from one of the rooms upstairs when the
cbimneys ofthe Post Office building fell
upon the house and crushed him to atoms.
MIR. William Brooks was assisting Mr..
Goodwin, and was also severely wounded.
Mr.. John Nichols was also seriously IN
lured, and Messrs. Reynolds, Burdett,
Jack and a Marine from the Navy Yard,
but at this writing Mr.. Goodwin alone IS
dead. The immense building occupied
bv The Post Office and Mr.. Roberts was
owned by Messrs. J. w. Murdaugh and
John Cooke, and was as fine a structure
as any town could boast. II was recent
ly erected, had granite fronts, and was a
first rate tenement in all respects. The
tenement owned by Mr.. Cooke was insu-
red, but that of Murdaugh was not. Mr..
Anderson was partly insured. The loss
of the Society Of Odd Fellows ranged
from $500 to $1,000; uninsured--Mr.
Hill had not one dollars worth insu-
red.
The death of Mr.. Goodwin has filled
the town of Portsmouth with grief, for he
was one Of the most %enterprislng n pub
lie spirited of its citizens. tie was ever
ready to give an impulse to the improve
ment of the town in trade and business,
and was, in all respects, a useful and vir-
tuous citizen. He has left a wife and
children to lament his untimely end.
Every exertion was made to extingulsh
the fire. The Norfolk Fire Companies
went over to the assistance oftheir Ports
mouth friends who had so handsomely IN
pas, times assisted them. A friend IN
Portsmouth speaks ofthe conduct Of Lieu
tenant Percy ofthe U. S Navy. as da.
ring and worthy Of all praise. He was
ia the midst of danger, and disregarded
all personal consideration, IN his gener-
Gus purpose to arrest the progress OF the
flames.