The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-18
THE FIRE At THE B4L71MORE CUSTOM HO USE
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION
rrrom The Baltimore Exchange, Sept. III

into the of the late disastrous conhagraon the
eusto house. the testimony all being given under OATH
The first witness called wps James Gawthop, who tes-
| ti6ed as follows:
/ lam a watchman in the custom house 1 was first APP
/ pointed by GOV Thomas am both an inside and out
| aide watchman my duty being TO guard the basement
and upper portion of the baiieng during the afternoon
and night. On The morning Of the fire. between and
o'clock, whilst 1t raining, found the roof was leak
ing, when procured lighted candle and went into the
roando of the Fxchfnge building and discovered where
tho leaks when returned and procured the assist
auco Of Watchman Emanuel Weineman when started
up stairs with buckets to place under the holes in the
roof TO catch the water at the head of the stairs
light blown out when returned to the messcngers
to relight It, leaving Wenenan up stairs having
lit the candle again went up and placed the buckets
to catch the water coming through the second
floor when proceeded into the third story to make
examination there In few minutes returned to the
house hail. when discovered that the
/ gers all in blaze.
by the collector Did you, when you returned the first
/ tne light your candle in the messengers room E
1 Answer did, sir. 4s.5s.I attte s4
Question. Are there not safety lamps provided for
| being carried through the building!
Answer Yes, sir, but there oil to use n them.
Question Had you reported toany one that there
| no oil for that purpose
Answer had asked the fireman about it, but he told
/ Question Have you not been in the habit general
thing of using these lamps when going through the
| building 7
! Answer Yes sir but did not use one at this time,
|
| Question. is it not your duty to provide oil
lswcr No, sir; it is the duty Of the fireman to do
| 80. 1t is mine to procure the candles used.
Question. Where Reynolds when you down
| stairs and found the messengers room in flames
Answer. He in the deputy collectors room. This
opposite to that in which the fire broke
/ out, the other side of the hall
| Question. Was he asleep
Answer. / don't know
Question. Did you have to call to him to him
Answer. Mr. Weineman called to him when we came
! down, and he answered. and came out of the room
! Question. How long were You up stairs
| Answer. About ten minutes a
Question Did you hear any alarm of fire while there
Answer No, sir; none at all The first we knew of it
was coming down. U#F f3 aig@E l8l.f
Question Have you any doubt sir, about your having
| set fire to the paper In the messengers room?
| Answer. have, sir and am sure did not, as |
| very careful about fire.
Question How else then, do you suppose 1t could have
| originated?
Answer. cannot say, sir but am sure it was not
caused by me.
VIM Watts testified that he is O wachman in the post
Office building, being employed to watch there by Col
Kane duty that night and at the time the fire
broke he sitting in the roundo of the Exchange
| buildings Saw Gawthrop and Weneman go up to stop
the leak and them return in about ten minutes after
Gawthrop had reghted the candle and gone up the
ond tme when they went into the custom house. In
about two three minutes after they entered the door,
heard of them call to Reynolds twice he answering
promptly each time. At about the time smet the
| FIRE, and heard give the alarm on Lombard
street Went round to the corner of Gay and Lombard
streets, where met Policemen P:ndell, who was also
looking the fire. and they discovered the flames
coming out of the custom house. Saw Weineman
and start up to the Mechanical engine-house when
he up Gay street to give the alarm in that direction
and then returned to his post sf
Jno Reynolds testified that he had been in the govern
service five years, having first been appointed
by Collector Thomas Was watchman of the vault in the
cashiers office, aud watched every night with Watchman
Weneman. We duty at o'clock in the
ning and continued to watch until o'clock the next
morning.
Question Where do you stay while duty, or how
do you spend your timea
Answer We generally sit the portico in front until
about . clock when we go in, and lock the doors
Question Do you sleep during the night, while on
duty2 a@H@
Answer Yes sir tis usual for one to watch while
the other sleeps.
Question Were you asleep when this fire broke out
Answer. was not had been asleep portion of the
night but up at eleven, twelve, and clock af
ter that time did not sleep
Question Where did you remain when the Others went
up stairs and you not asleep while they were gone
Answer. / was in the of the deputy collector,
and them go out Gawthrop returned to light
the candle, and again went out, and my impression is,
that in getting out lantern from the shelf after light
ing the candle he touched of the papers which
hung down like curtains in front of the Shelves where
the custom house papers stored As he went out he
called me to let him out the door into the rotundo He
then had the candle in hand and the lantern in the
other They down again IN few minutes, and soon
John we are all on fire." then went out of the
and down to the wash-room, where got a bucket of
water and threw it upon the fire, but the others out
of the Lombard street door was compelled to go to
side window get air and then also made my way out
along the passage.
Question. Were you not asleep when Gawthrop called
to you?
Answer. No, sir was not.
Question Whatlghts do you kccpjr the custom house
at night2
Answer Three in the messengers room one in
the deputy collectors room, and in the cashiers
room f t'
Question Is there safety lamp to carry about
Answer. There is one.
Question When was its use dispensed with
Answer II has not been dispensed with, but is not
used for want of oil.
Question Have you not been providing the oil
Answer No, sir Weneman and get the candles
only laA 4t&
Question What do you get candles for when you have
these lamps to carry about
Answer We get them TO in going about the off
ccs and TO light the gas with.
Allison Gardiner custom house messenger testified
that he was at home when he heard the alarm OF Are
about going market and that the way he learned
that the fire at the house Upon going there
he found Watchnan Goodrich ut the door, and also Gaw
throp He inquired how it occurred, and Gawthrop
piled that it set fire by the lighting Of candle
He then asked him why he Ind not used the safety lamp,
the custom and Gawthrop told him he had forgot
TO get the OIL
Washington Goodrich custoul-h house watchmnn, tes
tilted that when he arrived there the fire had made con-
siderable progress th1t Gawthrop and Reynolds were
standing at the door, and that Reynolds said to the for
49,