Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-09
From the ~ Y. Erpress, June |, 2 PM

From the ~ Y. Erpress, June L., Pm.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-GREAT LOSS OF
PROPERTY.
About half past four O'Clock this morn
ng, fire broke out in the large book
Publishing establishment of Messrs. j. o.
Harper, at No. 81 Cliff, between Fer
and Frankfort streets. 1t is impossi-
lie TO ascertain the amount Of damage,
but it is estimated at between S15 900
and 100000. The amount ofinsurance
something like $40, 900, principally in
he Equitable, Bowery, Mutual Safety,
Spring Garden of Philadelphia, and one
of!he Hartford Offices, the name Of which
We did not learn. The loss sustained is
Principally in stock the building, with
the exception of the roof, is thought TO be
very little injured. The presses are also
supposed to have sustained but very slight
injury. Their stock was unusually large,
and is, with the exception of u few books
| the lower story Totally destroyed. The
ire originated in the 4th story, and is be-
yond question the work OF an incendiary.
Mr.. Fletcher Harper, one of the firm.
who resides at 81 Cliff street, three doors
rom the printing establishment, on being
harmed by the cries Of the women at the
next door, looked out Of the window and
saw the flames bursting from the roof of
the building. He dressed himself as soon
as possible and proceeded to the Office,
when he found the desk in the counting
rgom broken open and the fire raging in
he fourth story-the only place, Mr..
Harper thinks, where fire could have
been easily kindled. The premises had
been entered at the rear side window, and
he villains not finding any booty in the
lcsk, probably set fire to the establish
ncnt for the purpose ofrobbing those who
night assemble to witness and extinguIsh
' he fire. Had the fire occurred in the
ught the damage mus, have been much
more extensive, as their large buildings
| on the opposite side Of the street, contain
lg by far the most valuable part Of their
property, must also have been consumed.
The Evening Post adds
The stock of the Messrs. Harpers was
avery large one consisting oftheir valua-
be collection OF scientific and literary
works, and their printing and binding APP
par4tus. The whole oft the fourth and
fifth stories with the presses and fonts.
We're destroyed, and the other portions OF
the building greatly damaged, either by
lire or water. Al the reserved numbers
Of the publications which tho Harpers
nave issued for several years past, are
ost. But fortunately, the stereotype
plates, the engraved plates, wood-culs,
&c., which have been used for those
works, were preserved in another build
ing. The whole loss will be about $780,
900, of which $4,000 are insured.
There is no doubt that this FIRE was the
work Of an incendiary. One of the win
iows on the back part of the house was
lorcibIy opened, the mahogany desk IN
the office broken into and the money, a
bout fifteen dollars, and loose papers ia.
ken out the door Of the bin6ery forced
and the books scattered about the floor
The chlsel with Which the bolts were sep
araled was found ia the desk. The pro
ruetors OF the establishment, II II said
ave obtained clue TO the discovery Of
Ae nccadorcs