Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-04
rrRn--rNcrrrs--cAuTroN.

TIHE--ENGINES-~c
The Tavern-Hcnse lately 10 the occupancy Of
DAsiFL CoRKEar, on Martin ST., and belonging
to our respected Fellow Citizen, Capt. PsrsH
GARDssR, was destroyed BY hre on Sunday morn
ing last, about 2 o'clock, a "a This building
was composed principally Of wooden materials, be-
ing part frame, and part log with Notwithstanding
We learn from Mr. Benjamin Blondei VITO was
the first TO reach the fire. that the Ere originated
4 from wooden box filed with hot eaabers, and ash.
es being placed On table, and immediasely against
the wea,herbcarding, under shed attached to tie
Main building, Il supposed thai Is 5000 q The
box became irsd. ii communicated itself to the "a
Bile and weaiherbuaFding, which being old and dry.
spread very rapidly over the whole building, The
morning was very calm, and The ground and ad-
joining buildings being covered with slight fall Of
snow The day before, the fire easily confined to
the Baidng in which il originated. We are sorry
to learn that Capt. Gardner had no insurance on
$500 or 5000. Mr. Cookery was absent from
home and We should judge bis loss mus; amount TO
! 5000. His wife and children we're safely rescued
though t one tine in imminent danger
! We souyto find that engine was frozen
up, and could not be made to work for some hours
indeed not until the House was entirely consul
med. There must be bad management somewhere,
but suppose no one in particular j. chsrgeable
with blame, as "what is every body's business, Is
no body's business Our Fire Company is inefi-
cient-deplorably inefheient-but the fault is in
the system. 1t seems TO be mere retreat from
military duty, and censeque ntly wants that sturdy
and efficient "bone and sinew" activity, aud pub
lie spirited energy and benevolence which springs
from noble motives, and the fear of muster
fine, OF the pride which revots at carying "corn-
stalk" in the bold 9Th Regiment of Virginia Mill
Tia. Let US not be misunderstood in our remarks
we do not mean to say that the whole Company
is amenable to the charge of being inefficient men
not at all. We know better, for we know the
past and present Officers of the Company have la
bored hard to produce system and efficiency into
the "Fire Company" and they will bear US wit
ness in our remarks of their inability to bring il
| about for the reasons stated. Nor do we wish to
excuse ourseves--we for long time belonged to
the Company, and though not very attentive to its
parades, still we did our best always at the fires
We did not much like the Militia system, and hence
frankly confess that enlisted in the Fire Com.
pany, as were told at the time it was good re-
treat from Mastering. But for the last year past,
we have belonged to Capt. Hoopers North-Town
I Militia.
| Weare decidedly of the opinion, that the present
system should be broken up, and that our citizens
generally should attach themselves to the Fire Com
pany as matter Of imperative duty, for who knows
how soon be may need the assistance of Others, and
therefore he should always stand ready to afford his
in return. 1t seems to US, that this community
could well afford to purchase another Engine, and
find ample materials for the formation of two eff.
cient Companies who would ever act towards each
other with generous rivalry in doing good. Who
seconds the motion-and who will put tbs bail in
moti0nl
One word more.-We implore our citizens to take
care-let every house keeper give positive orders
to servants or those having the direction of fires,
that they must not nor shall no, carry ashes embers
or fire in wooden vessels. Let all who are able to
do il, call on friend BLosDsL, who will sell them
an iron bucket for small sum, which may be the
means of saving them hundreds of dollars. We
have deemed these remarks not on, of place, con.
sidering that winter is upon US and many fres ne.
cessariiy in use.