Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-07-17


very obnoxious TO the neighbors, and IN
proprietor Of which had been prosecute
Tor keeping disorde!!y house. 4 lowe
apartment was used for storing hay, an
Contained a considerable quantity OF ii
With the numerous combuslibles m th
store. house, the flames spread with fearfu
rapidity, and it was with difficulty that tht
clerks could escape with the books. Th'
intense hea, made by the hay, fused h,
saIlpetre, and an explosion was the result
terrible one, aller several, Of no conse
quence, except they served TO warn lhos'
near Of the danger that nigh; be apprehen
ded from Il too close proximity 10 the burn
ing building. The noise made was terri
flying, and the effect was appalling. Burn
ing embers we're thrown about in all di.
rectons, among the fremen and citizens
and in the effort of all TO escape, many
were trampled under loot. and large
number were crowded into the dock, and
narrowly escaped drowning. A repor.
was in circulation, that iao lads were
drowned, bat we could not learn the truth
or falsity Of it. The effect of the explos
ion in spreading the fire, was Immediately
seen. The splendid store-house on the
south of that in which the fire originated,
occupied by Ridgeway g. Budd. flour dea-
lers, was at once developed in flames /; and
in little while the large block OF build.
ings on the north, in the occupancy of the
Lehish Transporting Company was in a
like condition. The fakes of burning hay
were carried westward, and fired the dwell
ings on the west side Of Voter street,
which extended to Front street, and which
were occupied by large number OF poor
families. Ia consequence OF the weather
beng warm. and the roofs dry, the fire
spread in a fearful manner, so much so,
that several of the inmates were burned TO
death in their attempt 20 escape. The in
tensi,y Of the fire prevented The fremen
from approaching it, so as to render much
efficient service, and the wind blowing
fresh from the south. west, the flames con-
tinued to spread 10 the west and north. 1t
was not long before i, had crossed TO the
ives, side Of Front street, and 10 the north
side OF Vine street. The whole range OF
dwellings, on the west side Of Front street,
extending from Vine half way down 10
Race, were s1on in flames. Many Of
these were fine ediiices. The one on the
corner OF New and Front, was lately owned
and tenanted BY Thomas Watson, biscuit
baker. All these are in ruins. The
flames continued 10 spread towards Second
street, on line parallel 10 the extent Of
the conhagraiion on Front street. The
buildings on New street, many Of them
handsome ed!fces, and the public school
on the sa me, were all burned, also those
on Vine street, from Front 10 Second. All
these buildings were tenanted and the en-
deavor of the inmates 10 save their proper
Iy,and 10 escape 10 place OF safety added
to the confusion. Household goods were
piled upon the pavements in all directions,
and in many instances handsome furniture
was thrown from the upper windows Of
burning dwellings, and destroyed in this
way. The scene was awful beyond des-
crption. Many parents were running
about wrinsing their hands, and uttering
for missing child wives
weeping for their husbands, and husbands
in the search oil their wives, contributed 10
make the scene the more painful. The
fire continued 10 spread, and at 8 o'clock.
had extended almost half way from Vine
10 Callowh on Front and New Market
street from Front to Water street, it was
burning just as rapidly, and along Della
ware Avenue il had reached the extensive
store house Of A. Wright s Nephew, sail
dealers. On Vine street wharf, there
were several hundred cords OF pine and oak
wood, which could easily have been re
moved before the fire reached it, but which
could easily have been removed before the
fire reached il, but which was permitted TO
burn, and contributed 10 the flames. AZ
ter darkness had set in we took our station
upon an elevated position from which We
could survey the whole scene, and su-
bline and fearful one it was. On wen,
the flames, roaring and cracking. envelop.
ing some of the finest edifices hch our
city could boast. and rendering them in
short time, heap Of ruins. To the
west and the north all was one vast sea OF
fire, while ever and anon the falling Of the
walls and the shouts Of the multitude there
served to render the scene feariul!y ter
rific-awlulIy sublime! The 6remen had
labored up to this period. with unabailng
yieor. but the scarcity Of the water, and
the extent and violence Of the conllasration
have rendered their services Of but little
avail. Still they have done nobly, and are
,;,JoJ 10 tho kioheSt praise for their Of.