Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-03-05


We barely had time to allude in portion of our last
ISSUE to the disastrous fire which occurred in this town
on the morning of the 23d ut, and to the painful and
distressing fact that two children persisted in the flames
The fire originated in the dwelling house occupied by
Mr. Ihos j. Marshall, in the upper part of town. 1t
was discovered between the hours of twelve and
o'clock. The family slept up stairs with the exception
of the servant girl, who was on the lower floor The
first intimaton Mr. NJ had of his house being fire.
in hearing his name called by the girl who had some
difficulty i'll awaknS him, when he aroused and found
himself almost su1ocatcd with smoke. He awoke his
wife and then Immediately sprang for the stairs but found
them and the whole Of the lower portion of the back
part of the building enveoped in flames. With other
means of cgress their only alternative to jump from
the upper stair window into the street This Mr. NJ.
instantly DONE the idea occurring to him at the time,
that he would procure ladder from of the neigh
bors and thus be enabled to his wife and children
but upon searching the neg hbOrhoOd he could not find
one sufficiently small for him to be able to carry it him
SELF could he the neighbOrs i'll time for them
to be of any assistance to him. DCSparng OF saving
them in this way and being almost frantic he returned
to his house which then almost entirely i'll flames,
and shouted to his wife to throw the children to him
from the window and then jump out herself; but, the
words were uttered he heard her below stairs.
Rushing in through the fire and smoke he found her lying
on the floor where she had fallen by fright and
sufocation and totally unable to account for the
in which she had descended the stairs they were near
ly complete sheet of fame On reaching the street
Mrs. NJ stated that oil her children ian infant about
months old was on the floor where she was found,
when some one rushed in and rescued it not however
without its having sustained very Serious and we fear
fatal injury. Another effort made to the
other children, but, alas too late! The ladder was
quickly assembled by the frantic father, who attempted
to effect an entrance, but when the windows open
ed nothing but q complete of fire and smoke met
his agonzng gaze entirely precludng the possibility of
his entering the of his children being alive. 1t
was then that hope fOrsOok the bOsOms of the unfOr
nate parents and they realized the terrible and heart
rendering fact that their children had persisted. Terri
BILE thought Who imagine their feelings at this
| awful moment?
1t is always considered heart-rendng dispensatiOn
when children are taken their parents by causes
common to humanity when they can sit by their bed
side soohe their suerngs, and smooth their passage to
the grave but OH how horrible how doubly horrible
to safer they suffered and to die they died. II
should be consolation however to the sorrowstricken
couple that though the suferings of their children art
| great, they nOlc at rest.
The children were both boys the eldest John Davis
being years and months old, and the other, William
| Edward, was years and months
longed to the estate of the late Capt M. A Outten.
Taking every thing into consideration, this O
the most distressing caamities that has happened
in town. and we hope never to have to record SINH
| lar one.
| p. s. Since writing the above, Mr.. Marshals only
remaining child Abram Outten, has died from the effect
of the fire 1t fingered until Sunday evening last, wheI
death terminated its suferngs-Neber7a Union I'd inst