Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-23

appears to have been thought expedi-
ent by her Majesty's Government, il
will be necessary TO confine these appll
cations to individual cases. Those
friends or relations of American priso-
ners now in the British Penal Colonies,
who may wish to address to the British
Government petitions in their behalf,
are requested TO send their applications
to the department for transmission.
"Such Americans as were resident
in Canada, at the time Of ticking up
arms, should make their application
through the Canadian authorizes"
HEART.RENDING OCCURRENCE.
The ASYLUM FOR THE Pooh BURNED TO THE
oRouND-TEN OF THE INMATES CONSUMED IN
THE FLAMES!
INouIRER OFFrcE-NANTUcKET,
"Wednesday, Feb. 2lst 4p. NJ.
It is our painful duty TO record one
ofthe most distressing occurrences that
ever took place or the Island of Nam
tucket, and we sincerely Pray that we
may never be called upon again to note
one attended with like circumstances.
About two O'Clock this morning, a
fire broke out in the Asylum for the
poor, some eight miles from town, and
in The course Of two hours, the building
was burnt to the ground. So rapidly
did the fire spread, that those in the
house were unable 10 save any oftheir
cfIects--and awful to relate, ten of the
inmates were burned to death.
One of those burnt Lydia Howen)
bad carried her child to place Of
safety, and returned to try to save
something, but did not herself again
escape the devouring flames. There
were 50 persons in the house, besides
the family of Capt Timothy Bunker;
and The keeper, Capt. B. lost all his eff
fects $40 in money. There were is of
the paupers bed ridden-one Of them
we were told, had not walked for about
twenty years.
The name of those burned are Paul
Jenkins, aged &c; Thomas Hull. 67;
Jonathan Ca,hcart, 10; VIM. Holmes,
81; William Hutchins, Sophia Bebee,
aged 81; Phcbc Jones, so; Abigail
Davis, ST, Lydia Bowen, 33; Wealthy
Davis, 53-firc men ard i've women.
This forenoon We visited the scene
of destruction, and it was scene that
would have moved the heart Of stone.
There was heap ofruins TO mark the
spot where the late spacious house
stood, and every thing denoted ruin
and destruction. Many ofthe paupcrs
were making The best Of their way 10
the house formerly used as an asylum,
which served as a shelter for many o.!
them. Some Of them lookc1 bewii-
dcred, as though they could scarcely
realize their narrow escape. Old and
infrrn as many of,hem were, il seems
miracle that so many escaped with
their lives. One lad Jumped from the
third story window, and escaped with
out injury. Another jumped from the
second story window, also escaped,
being injured. One man lowered him
selfto the ground by means OF sheet,
which he tore in stripes and tied to-
gc,hcr
The roads being very bad, and it
being apparent that by the time an en-
zine could reach there, the house would
bc consumed, and The attempt TO drag
one thilher was not made. Great
numbers &c our citizens instantly re-
haired 10 the scene OF action, to render
such assistance as was possible. Good
service was rendered By those living
on the adjacent farms; Mr.. Charles A.
Burgess, in particular, we heard nam
cd, as having been the means OF saving
several lives; straining himself severely
in 50 doing. One Of the pauPeF inma-
tes-s woman named Phebee Leveliss
also personally rescued two or three
nersons at the imminent risk Of her
own life. Mr.. Burgess, by means OF
ladder. stove in window of the third
story. and here found an old man and
his wife in bed. lie informed them OF
their danger, and the man got out, but
the woman refused 10 move. Mr.. b.
took her OF. Of bed, got her on the lad