The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-07

DEATH or SAMUEL n GARDINER, ESQ, AND
PROBABLE LOSS OF SEVERAL OTHER LIVES.
Correspondence Of the New York Tribune.
NEWPORT, r. L., Sunday, o'clock, p m, Aug 5.
DEAR SIR; We arrived here on the Massachu-
sets, this morning at o'clock and were very great
ly chagrined to find the "Ocean House" full and
Overlooking with people-more than hundred be-
ing turned away. We tried, with similar bad luck,
the Atlantic and Bellevue House, and then spent
four or five hours in trying to gain admission to a
private house. At length, we were lodged in tole-
rable comfort at Townsends hotel.
Probably no watering-pace In the Union was
ever so crowded as Newport Is the present season
There were over three hundred and fifty strangers
in the Ocean House alone, and every place in the
city full.
But turned out that our regret at being excluded
from the Ocean House foolish and wicked. At
about o'clock to-day, while the fashionable throng
were dressing for dinner, the cook-house--a small
building adjoining the eastern wing of the hotel
caught in the ceiling from dish Of lard which took
fire, and bazed from the floor, where II fell TO the
roof
In an instant the cry of fire was given, and such
scene of confusion and distress ensued as no man
could wish to see twice. The boarders were run
ming from to room, screaming for their friends
brothers, husbands wives and children, and all in
gulrng with white lips the cause of the alarm.
There was most pitiless lack of water, and the
flames seized with fury upon the extremely dry and
combustibe material of which the cook-house, as
well as the whole building, was composed. The
bells rang the alarm, the whole city hurried to the
spot and the opinion already became general, that
not timber of the whole OF this graceful and airy,
but light and unsubstantia edifce could be saved.
The work of carrying out baggage now began III
great earnest; and fair arstocratc hands, abeit UNI
used to the working mood" performed incredible
tasks of porterage The large and magnificent par
lor Of the hotel, occupying the whole of the north
end, was now stripped of its costly furniture; and
the field directly opposite and to the northward of
the hotel became speedily filed with trunks, boxes
furniture, &C., while the street was lined with ee-
gany-ared ladies', lamenting the loss of their din
ners or their dresses.
"Water water water !" was the unanswered
cry of the fremen and the citizens who had rushed
10 the spot to render their assistance but could
be procured. The fire department appeared to be
efficient and well Experimentation and daring.
But what good were their half-dozen fire engines
without water 1t was clearly seen that the
building could not be saved, and in two hours the
whole pile was smoking ruin
The Ocean House built by the "Ocean
House Company" winter before last, and finished
last winter 1t was valued at $4,000, and insured
in Providence and Boston for $4,000 1t was rent
ed by John G. Weaver Of Newport, who paid 8 per
cent. on the value. The building was in the form Of
an L. running north and eas--the northern wing
being 226 feet long, and the eastern wing 1876 by
Colour stories high. II contained 2OS rooms. Its
situation was beautiful and commanding, and its
loss is heavy blow to Newport, as well as an in
desctlbable inconvenience to the boarders-a great
many ofwhom were from New York.
But the saddest portion of this calamity Is the
death of Samuel Fowler Gardiner, esq, one ofthe
Oldest, wealthiest and most estlmable citizens OF
Newport He owned large amount of property
here and was the agent and part proprietor Of the
extensive Newport coton-mllls, the CoddiDgton,
Perry, and Newport steam-mills and another Of
which he was exclusive owner. He leaves wife
and ten children.
The body of Mr.. Gardiner was found in the ru.
ins more than half consumed--a key and pencil ly
ing on his chest also fear that Thomas r. Haz-
Vurcleuse, has persisted. You will remember him
as the author of some political tracts published in
1874.
P. s. 1t is certain, l am told, that he is dead.
George Burrows and Robert Coxall were on the
ladder with Mr.. Gardiner when the eastern wing
side the burning walls. The two former are Sc
riously injured and it is doubtful whether Mr. Cox
all will survive,
The furniture of the house was worth sos 900;
two-thirds saved-S9,00 insured. Mr.. Weaver,
the lessee of the Ocean House. has already taken
house which will accommodate fifty, and which
he will open tomorrow. There's enterprise for
you!
1t is said that there gentleman in the sec
ond story ofthe east wing who was lost but of this
nothing is certainly known Rumor also gives
three or four other victims to the flames.
An express sent to Providence for the Mas
sachusetts to come here and take off the passengers
tonight. We are now waiting for her.. Meantime,
despatch an express to you, who will come
through, if he is alive.
p. So o'cLocK.--The steamer Massachusetts
has just arrived at the pier, and will furnish about
500 houseess sufferers with lodgings for the night
and also food.
Yours, in haste, G. G. F.
Correspondence Of the N. Y. Commercial.
THE FIRE AT THE OCEAN HOUSE.
The Massachusetts,, which went to Newport last
night, arrived this morning, with small number Of
passengers and confirms the melancholy inte-
gence of the death of Samuel Fowler Gardiner,
esq, of Newport. His body has been found. tits
feared that several other persons have been killed,
as there were four or five fremen on the roof when
it fell in.
Since writing the above we have seen a gentleman
who came from Newport in the Massachusetts, who
informs us that it is satisfactorily ascerained that
other person is missing.
A gentleman who was in the room with Mr.. G.
saved his life by jumping from the window. He
urged Mr.. Gardiner to follow him; but he refused,
saying that he would go down by the stairs.
Newport Trans
From the Newport Rhode Islander, Extra of Monday
About three-fourhs of the furniture in the Ocean
House, and nearly all the baggage was saved.
The houses of many of our citizens thrown
open for the reception of the strangersneary three
hundred in number--who were thus suddenly de-
prived of shelter, and all were provided for.
The artillery company was called out, and kept
guard over the property saved from the house
through the afternoon and night, until it was all re-
moved to place of safety
Services in all our churches were suspended in the
afternoon.
SCRAPS FROM PUNCH.
PEERS OF PEN AND INR.--Sr Robert Peel is a
modest man-all prime ministers are--it is the weak
ness of their station. Nevertheless, Sir Robert is an
especial victim to the official diflidence. He COM