Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-07-25
A sri slltfral scene.

erything else The reason was our trusting impli-
city in Wells fire proof block, which no one doubted
was fire proof against all external fire. though fin
ished inside with wood The walls were brick. two
feet thick the roof covered with cement foot thick
the window shutters of bolted iron, and the wood
frames at least eighteen inches inside of the shutters
People even moved jewery and valuable papers into
it during the fire, for security. Mr.. Wells Gen
James Wilson, the two Whtcombs Messrs. Norton
and Sattalee, Mr.. E. G. Austin, (the last five being
lawyers in the buldng,) one two clerks of Wells
Capt. VIM l.. Howard, formerly resident in Halo
well,) Wheeler and myself shut ourselves up in the
building after the fire had reached its neighborhood
with as much water could be got from the we'll in
the yard outside, in buckets tubs, &C. intending to
stick it out
There were wooden buildings nearly around the
block-Dr Rabies, a large three-story frame bull
ding and joining Wells (within feet) on the rear.
When this last got on fire the heat was tremendous,
and the flames reared around the north end of the
building down Clay st., in ore continuous Sheet in
the direction Of the gale, enveloping the whole of
that end of Wells building in one roaring Niagara
cataract of flame. 1t was awful to behold. All the
iron windows and dOor-shutters that side became
heated to white heat almost melted, and warped
into semi-circles. The building became filed with
smoke We thought we should suffocate. The flames
licked in through the window and door-shutters in
long tongues, setting fire to the wood work inside
We fought like tigers. Our water gave out. We
were forced down into the banking room in the base
ment below, in the northeast The building
was surrounded by fire. The great wooden block on
Montgomery ST.. opposite, was in flames. The scut
tie on roof took fire. The staircase all on
fire. We sought the only possible for escape,
the bank door on Montgomery ST., which was closed
and b0lted on the inside. Horrible to relate, the
doors were so expanded with heat that the bolts
could not be started For moment our fate SEEM
ed inevitable-we must be roasted alive-when some
one found iron bar. 1t Norton. Sattalee
had already burnt his hands horribly the iron
door in his frantic attempts to open it.
tbo Of hoh oef ha apd
the appalling scene outside presented itself to
view. sea of fire opposite us, extended long dis
lance up and down Montgomery st. both sides,
and roaring around the corner of Clay st. The heat
was whitening.
Then commenced the race for life. Through
flames and smoke, binding, sufocat;ng and scorch-
ing. we rushed at the top of our speed. My hands
and face was soon benumbed My strength seemed
failing but struggled up in the only possible drec
ton for escape, Montgomery St, until at last
passed the fiery ordeal, and, half dead and blind. at
last reached men and engines, and was bathed with
oil in an apothecary shop and finally got off to
Tewksburys in the extreme north of the city, where
| have been since. | am now able to be about the
street My wounds are healing finely. They are
not very deep. Every one, excepting Wheeler, was
burned more than myself Wellsis frightfully burn
ed so is Gen. James Wilson. Whitcomb and Aus
tin fell down in the fire, and were so horribly burn
ed that neither expected to live. They are both
derious and the flesh hangsn shreds to their bones
Six or seven in neighboring building were burned
up in the same way that we came so near to.
| This banking house erected by Wells & Co.
under the superintendent of Boston mechanic at
cost of $4,000, including the land, and
ed two-thirds by Willis s. Co, of Boston, late spe
cial partners in the house, and onethird by Wells
& Co. 1t was the best building in the city. 1t was
intended as most thorough fre-proof structure,
with ample vaults anu deep wells with force pumps
&C. The books of Wells & Co., We're burnt, the
| book-keeper being engaged on them, making up the
bank book of their depostors on the night of the fire.
The gold dust and treasure in vaults and were
/ saved The building will, we learn be immediate-
ly rebuilt at much less expense than the orig inal
cost, labor being much cheaper. 1t should also be
added that at the last accounts all the sufferers who
were in the building doing we'll, though they
will bear the marks of this frightful adventure the
remainder of their lives.--Boston Courier.
Sad Catastrophe OF the New Haven Railroad.
The New York Tribue gives the following parti-
culars of sad catastrophe on the New Haven Rail-
road
Yesterday afternoon, while the o'clock Accom-
mediation Train from New York approaching
New Rochelle, "ld within about two miles of that
place, a break some say axle) gave way in one
of the Of the last of the tran there being
five six) the consequence of which was that the
first car before the broken completely
smashed every seat being torn up, and the itself
thrown bottom side up against stone wall the
second car was much broken and thrown halfway
over against the first, and the third was wrenched
crosswise off the track For few minutes all was
In the most painful confusion it being naturally sup
posed that many of the passengers killed; but
much to the surprise of those who were at hand all
those who were in or had been in the smashed cal
were alive, although nearly all of them were very
badly injured. Al as it was possible to do SO
the wounded were got into the cars which still
on the track and taken forward to New Rochelle
where they provided with beds in hotel, and
Drs. Smith and Morton and others called to give
them medical assistance. The following list en-
braces all who seriously bruised, far could
be ascertaned in the confusion incident to the
sion
Leroy Taylor, of Newtown, Conn, badly injured
by cut in the head.
H. L. Plumb, of Stoekbrdge, Mass, hip disloca
ted and arm broken.
Aaron Curtis, an elderly man from Bristol badly
hurt in the head and back
Charles Cooke, Winsted, arm and head bruised
but not severely.
) Charles Booth, Stamford, arm very badly smash
ed.
Capt. Bassett, Bridgeport, hurt but able to go
Smith Booth, Bridgeport, hurt considerably in the
head.
Son of Isaac Berry, of Philadelphia, badly cut or
the head.
, William Bristling Gardiner, Me-, scalp torn Of
and otherwise badly injured.
f The brakeman of the car had his leg broken.
= A lady from Philadelphia very badly bruised.
f A lady (name unknown) severely cut in the head
A lady (name unknown) badly bruised-not dan
/ gerous.
5 A gentleman name not ascertained) consldera
| bly, injured.
There were several other persons more orl less hur
but their injuries were not of sufficient consequence
to warrant especial notice. In consequence OF thl
1 catastrophe the downward train was detained som
l two hours