The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-01-29
Correspondence Of The Chicago Democrat
jackson Hall ON Fire nj the Jackson IsnII.

jackson Hail ON Fire nj the jackson IsnII.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 0, lSi7.
Those here at the Inauguration in ~
will remember the grea, risk run at the
sudden burning of the theatre when
crowded to overil,wlng at that time. We
had almost similar scene las, night
Jackson Hall is the largest and best bull
ding. save the public buildings, in Wash
inaion.
1t had just been completed by tia, very
popular firm among all true democrats,
Messrs Blair & Rlvcs. Al the Ball, last
night, was The largest turn out ever known
here. The President. Vice. President,
the Cabinet, Foreign Ministers, Mrs.
Madison, Mrs. Hamilton, Senators, Re.
prt'eniatlves. citizens aud strangers with
out number were present. The ball oc.
cuped the second story; and. about ten
o clock. lire broke out in the story be-
low where there was store which had
over one hundred barrels Of aricnt spirits.
several kegs of powder, and other com
bustble materials in the cellar.
The fire broke up through the floor into
the ballroom first and thus the alarm W is
given. Then ensued scene which no
tongue or pen can describe. Besides the
scrcachlng, screaming, ftuting and rush
lng OF all Of one thousand ladies', down a
narrow pair of back stairs, who were
pushed and actually thrown down by as
many gentlemen struggling in their rear.
The scene out doors was indeed terrific.
Absent fathers, mothers, wives hus-
bands, children and friends were running
and crying in every direction to the Hall.
Some were bare-fuo,ed, some bare. head.
ed and some with their nakedness scarce.
Iy covered. Indeed, all appeared in the
streets just as they happened to be when
they heard the alarm. And, willis, those
IN the Hall were trying TO rush out, those
out, in equal desperation, tried to rush in,
Thus the door seemed perfectly blocka.
ded. Then came the fire engines a ID ,hC
carriages, and such another confusion
was nev r known since hat of Babel, ant
the cries were characteristic of Bedlam
'Oh my pa where is my mother
my husbands lie heie, sister, wher,
are You, my wife, my brother, pow
der ia the cellar I'VE are gone, gone. al
gone jump oui of the window .tht
carriages are running over US, .onc hun
dred barrels Of alcohol we shall b,
blown up. 'oh DEAR squeezing me /,
death, and every other imaginable cry il
the world. Soon the streets were aliv,
with ladies' in white dresses and whit,
satin shoes. Some started for dis,an
homes just as they were fresh from II,
dance, with nothing on their heads: som,
ran into billiard-rooms, refectories, SC.
whilst their distracted friends wer,
piercing the air with cries for them. no
knowing'where they were.
The fire was finally mastered with bu
a few hundred dollars damage. Tn,
supper just ready was unchanged in tn,
third story. Many of both sexes return
ed, parIook Of this, and danced unit
morning, whilst Others returned houe
some having their dresses entirely spoil
&c, some having lost hats, cloaks, &c.
After all this confusion, i, does not an
pear that any persons were injured be
yond sigh! bruises, severe colds and los.
Of clothes. This scene will long be re
membered here, and many father ha
vowed never to lie, his children 90 to
ball again unless he went too. The sam,
of the husband with his wife, bro,he
with sister, &c.