Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-07-27
Fire and Riot In Allegheny, Pa.

L nc INlSUutRh 0dLeu6 Ol ueSudy ConldlnS
a full account Of the extensive fire and disgrace
ful riot which occurred al Allegheny City the
previous afternoon. The fire broke out, about
three o'clock, in the trunk factory of Mr.. Gil.
man, where no fire had been used for three
months, and spread with great rapidly, the fire
companies of Allegheny refusing to render any
assistance toward exungulshing il.
The Pittsburgh Engines were taken across,
but were met near the Mayors Office by mob
Of men, some of whom wore Firemen's hats,
armed with clubs and bricks, who threatened to
break their apparatus, and murder the members,
if they advanced. Upon this they Immediate
ly drew their apparatus home, and the flames
we're permitted, unchecked, to consume the
properly Of our fellow ciIizens.
For some time The bystanders seemed to be
paralyzed by the enormty Of the firemen's pro-
ceedings, who stood around, exultng like friends
in the progress Of the fire, while all around was
heard the roar Of the flames, as they seaped
from one dwelling to another, mingled with tbs
schIeks of the women and children, whom
their destructive progress drove from their
house.
Several men who were assisting at this time
to draw an engine tothe ground, were wounded,
some being stabbed and cut with knives, and
others struck with stones. For a long time
nothing was done. The Washington engine
was taken to this lrIghliul scene by some pri-
vate citizens, but the hose was cut, and some
men interfering, drew it away again. BY great
exertions the foundry of Messrs. Eichbaum,
McKendry & Co. was saved, but the FIRE com.
municated to the lofty steeple Of the Rev. Mr.,
Swilt's Church, and from thence spread in all
directions with lrghtlul rapidly.
Soon after The church caught, the Mayor of
and some others, broke open the
door Of the President engine house, with axes,
and took the engine to the fire. Though man.
ned only by boys, with some two or three men
directing them, il rendered very efficient aid in
the fine from spreading across Di-
amond 10 Federal st.
The fremen, not giving the least assistance,
were shouting, "Le. the houses burn" "shree
cheers for the citizen iremen," mingled with
Kisses and execratons which constantly threat.
ensd to break out into actual violence. We
have not, however, room to detail the atrocities
by which the couduct of those who, al least,
claimed 10 be fremen, was sgnalized. We
hope we may never again see so terrible dis
play Of domoniac joy as many of the bysIan-
ders testified in the midst of so terrible q scene,
whilst drunken rufians were going around, cur
sing all who were endeavoring TO extinglsh the
flames, and in every possible manner endeav-
oring TO imped their Iaudable endeavors.
The number of houses burnt was thirty.fve,
the most of which were not insured.
DR.. Swih's church was totally consu med
and was insured to the amount Of $4,000.
The loss is estimated at from thirty to fifty
thousand dollars.
The cause of this disgrOceful state of aft:
airs is said to be the refusal Of the Council
Of Allegheny to appropriate as large sums Of
money to the several companies as the latter
demanded. In the depressed state of the city
finances, the Councils were desrous of pursuing
a course Of proper economy. The fire com.
panies would not abale their demands, and the
consequences are the scene Of destruction and
mobocracy.
Two hundread and fifty dollars reward is off.
cred by the Mayor Of Allegheny, for such nfor-
nation as we'll lead to the conviction of those
who cut the hose of the Pittsburgh companies,
and by their threats ntimaled such portions of
Allegheny 6remen as were disposed 10 do their
duty.
The Gazette states that the arrests have al.
ready commenced, and the most energetic meas
ures taken to bring the rioters to speedy and Ger.
tain justice.