Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-24
Fire at NilIiamSnort.

From the Freeman extra, OF Monday last, we CO.
py the following account of most calamitous fire
a, Williamsport. Mr.. Hall had but recently ex-
tended and improved his large and commodious |
Hotel, which was one of the best in the country |
His loss must be severe, notwithstanding the insu-
rance on his property The loss will also be felt by
the travelling community, and visitors TO w illiams-
port which we trust, however, will be but for TEN.
porary period. The dwelling house of J. Grafus,
Esq. was bandsone building, and nearly new
We sincerely sympathse with our friends upon this
sudden calamity. 1t will probably be an induce
men TO others 10 effect an insurance upon valuable
property.
"On Saturday evening last, our town was visited
with one of the most destructive fires that has ever
before occuned.-The fire was discovered about | 0
o'clock in the stable of THOMAS HALL, Esq. The
alarm was given, and the citizens repaired to the
spot Immediately, and every exerlon was made that
human aid could resort TO, to the progress of
the fames-but all was in vain The stable and
the adjoinings buildings consumed in a few
minutes and three valuable horses and several fine
hogs perishcd in the fames.-A light southwest
wind carried the course of the fire in the direction
of Mr.. Halls Brick Hotel, and in short time the
entire building was laid in ruins ! Adjoining Mr..
Halls house was the store room of j. Grafus & Son.
the beautiful brick dwelling Of j. GRArirs Esq. and
the dwelling house OF Mr.. JosEpH GnAFIUs, all Of
which were burned to the ground, together with
their stabng, &c. The tannery belonging to Mr..
Tuos. UPDEGRAFF, took fre also, but the buildings,
though the interchangeable exertons of citizens,
were preserved, with one exception; the bark house,
together with about 100 cords of bark, entirely
consumed The only thing, in our opinion, that
prevented The further Obstruction by fire, was the
prudent course pursued by citizens in pulling
down several small frame buildings which were oc>
cuped Offices and situated IN avacant space be-
tween Mr.. Grafus and Mr.. WIlsoss large brick
dwelling. The wind however, had subsided few
minutes before the fire was checked, and hight
shower of rain fell, which helped in very great
degree to extingush the burning flames
Mr.. Hall succeeded in securing some pert of his
furniture. but a very large quantity was consumed
with the building, Mr.. Grafus & Son, also saved
their household furniture, and the greater Part Of
the merchandise. Mr.. Joseph Grafus, we under
stand lost the greater part of his furniture with the
house. The property belonging to the different
persons which has been saved, was very much
soiled and damaged in the hurry and hustle to Sc
cure it. The whole amount of the loss sustained
is estimated al from 80 to $4,000. We arc in-
formed ,ha. the buildings OF Mr. Hall and Jacob
Grafus, Esq. are insured, but we do not know for
what amount.
Great credit is due to the citizens of our bo-
rough and those OF its vicinity, for their unweared
| exer,ions ti.is u,~usiou.-oonv IauvIrd until
they were almost exhausted, while o,hers-to their
shame be it ssid-looked on with the utmost in.
! Inference. But the LADlES-the kind, the gen.
tie, but noble patriotic LADIEs-ever ready TO lend
helping hand ia time of danger and distress, turned
ou, and assisted wherever they could find themselves
| defatigable and patriotic excrtions in assisting to
! quell the raging elements. While too much credit
cannot be awarded to the ladies' for their noble con.
duet, too much disgrace cannot be attachedt to, nor
too much contemp, entertained for, those 'Iookers
on who occupied the square and Court house pave.
ment with their umbrellas hoisted over lhem with
out exhibiting the least apparent anxiety for the
safety of the citizens or their property.
Not the least doubt exists os to the cause Of thi:
calami,ous affair. But one opinion prevails, ant
that is that it is the work fan incendiary'