The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-28
Our Am5oy Correspondence.

PETITE AnBoY, N. j., July q, 1864.
Aia,,Hing Fire Want Of Wite--f'nminent Dan
er Of The Cuy-Od fbgiss IN Pnrsr, &c &c.
fire occurred last night in this city about nine
O'Clock, Ia the cork n try Of Mr.. William King.
The building was situated ia the rear, and about
the centre Of the block on Smith. High, Market, aud
State streets, and fortunately situated about two
hundred yards from any other building or the shoe
city would have been laid in ashes.
Scarcely any water was to be I'd. There ia not
apubc pump nor cis'ern in the whole city, nor will
the city council even pnt into two public wells
pumps to obtain water, although $3.50 vas appro-
pria,ed by the town meeting last spring for that
purpose The city council have decided, in their
wisdom. "that the citizens have authority to vote
money for such purpose and the city charter does
not authorize the city coon II (, do so," consc-
qutnty, tie citizens must 20 without water.
There is not ladder, nor hook. nor fire bu ket
belonging to the city. Somo few citizens
have Ore buckets which OF esantisl service in
preventing the extension Of the flames. several
roofs took hre, bat were extioguished by the In
Teptd young men on tho houses with pals, TIN
pans, chamber furniture wet blankets, &C.; auc the
women were seen 10 all dr. c,ions, carrying pitchers
Of water, and even milk, TO aid In tine zen raj
safety. Had II not been almost = calm these cx,r.
tioas would have proved fruitless. Taerc VS. q
largo amount Of cork la the buildiug and immense
ptie0 0QtA1oe, nearly all OF which consumed.
With Tie entire building and It's contents. 40 i'm
nense hap Of cork In bundles come thirty feet
from The building, was burned 10 a. e., taking Are
ffom the reflected heat OF the factory, and merely
Tor want Of help IN remove IL, the give citizens
being engaged in protecting other w.lllngs.
There were enough gentlemen ~ looking on, for
half an hour previous to is taking fre, 10 have 70
moved the whole; bot hard work is not In the line
of their profession. The Mayor was seen actively
engaged In carrying water and removing cork-wo.
men sud boys lent their aid, and many stout men
and boys RECALLED themselves and shou:ed for SPORT
while robbing the fruit tees In close proximity TO
the burning building.
The loss Of Mr.. King is very con iderable, being
only partly Insured. The estimate Of tie amount
consumed L. about twelve thonssnj dollars Mr.
King Y very worthy. enter rising citizen and the
loes o. his factory will do h injury 10 the place
u. owing some afeen or twenty hands out of EN-.
10y. and their families the sympathies OF the
! bic, Who were dependent on Mr.. King and his
tory for support
L IL not known how the a originated lint II Ia
known that the old fogies Of this ancient CITY
nd rather zee the wh.,e t,wl consumed tn an de-
from tho ancieut Gsages aud customs OF their
= stIiocs ancestors, by ado ting mode ,tons
:. -applyhg city with water aud fire apparatus.
Oss or rGg Cassp.
P.S.--I forgot 10 mention tat the boiler 10 the
q ine bouso began to blow OF steam and wa,cr at
u" SAFETY valve, loaded sfth 20 lbs about half an
HOAX alter the DIRE discovered. |, contjnnei 10
~ IN about fifteen minutes, and exnansted itself
~tfoni explosion; bot at the latter end tue noise
II 4. ' sac tcTIisc, Ike the loodesi steam wills