The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-14
From the Kingston ulster Co. Journal.
DREADFUL CALAMITY.
ELLGNylLLE, February 5

ELLEsviLLE, February 9Th lsi9
most heart-rcnding occurrence took place in our
village on Friday aiternoon the I'd instant, AT the
house Of Mr.. William Hutchinson.
He was heating, upon stove, composition for
paint composed Of three parts OF oil and OF tur
peItine, when II Unexpectedly took fire. With much
presence of mind he seized stick Of wood and set
the kettle upon the floor then hastened to adjoin-
Ing room to procure piece of carpet which was in
readiness, TO throw over the vessel and extingush
the fame. But the blaze, reaching almost to the
ceiling, and the smoke completely filling the room,
alarmed the family that the house would be on fire;
and the Oldest child, daughter OF nine years. SELLING
boy OF eighteen months ran into the hall adjoining,
followed by the mother with the remaining child, q
daughter Of seven years.
Their cries and the dense smoke attracted imme-
diate attention. and an individual living the oppo.
site side the hall In the same house, seeing the
cause of the alarm, regardless of himself hurried on
pair of leathern mttens, entered the roon seized
the flaming vessel by its sides, and made for the
street. But, on coming into the hail. strong breeze
from the front door drove both the smoke and the
blaze directly into his face burning him severely and
preventing him from seeing or knowing any thing
that was passing about him. In this condition he
did, as far he able, towards the front door.
But being himself burned and blinded by the smoke
he could give no direction to j, and shocking 10
relate, II struck the head OF tho little girl who had
crossing the hall, lacerating her temple, throwing
her down. and splitting Its boiling and blazing con.
tents over the persons Of herself and brotherl
This was ell the dreadful work of a moment, and
struggling In tho flames Notwithstanding the aw-
full spectacle his presence of mind did not forsake
him. He Immediately threw the carpet he had been
in quest of over his children, and wrapping 1t close
about him, at once extingu!shed the flames But II
was all too late The little sufferers were shock
ingly burned that they could not long surviye The
scalding oil had penetrated too deeply their tender
tender persons their heads fhces, and bosoms that
,a
in misery about eighteen hours only and the eldest
has Just expired.
During the first fortyeieht hours of her agonizing
existence she frequently manifested signs Of ration
atty, spoke many times, eften asking for drink md
enquiring after her little brother and her father,
whom the confusion Of the disaster led her 10 think
some one was endeavoring TO kil.-About these she
seemed very solcitous Notwithstanding her appear
ance was such Us would indicate entire sus-
pension Of mental action, certainly in relation TO
any and every thing except her own suferingself.
Her eyes were nearly or quite destroyed, andhcr
whole countenance so swollen and distorted that
she could not have been recognized by her nearest
fiends.
Other individuals were also more or less injured,
particularly the one endeavorng 10 remove the burn
ing kettle whose face 10 perfect blister, and whose
hands were also seriously burned. The mother too,
frantic at seeing her children in the flames burned
her hands severely In attempting to. rescue them
and her clothes were also fire. Others burned
themselves in stripping the smouldering clothes
from the children, &c.
Notwithstanding this disaster, and its dreadful
results, no blame can properly'be attached TO any
person. F.rst-hc oil took fire, probably, In conse-
quence Of being stirred by the little girl that escaped
who II Is supposed, dashed little on the hot
stove. Second-her father was prepared for such
an emergency, and would, Of himself, have proven
ted any mischief by extinguishing the flame. And
third, his neighbours interference was but the kind
est promptngs OF humanlty-as hearing the cries OF
take 1t away" carry II out Of DOORS and suppos-
ing the family alone. he hastily prepared himself and
generously volunteered the hazardous removal Of the
danger. That he did not succeed was no fault Of
his as appears from what has already been stated.