Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-02-03
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LOCAL AFFAIRS.

FIRE -Ftoe Stables and Three Horses
Burnt-A dangerous fire broke out on
Saturday evening, a little after six
o'clock, which for over an hour threat
ened the destruction of East Market
street, as well as South Main, but by
the untiring zeal of the firemen and
citizens generally, it was confined to the
block of stables connected together IN
which it originated. Fortunately it
was damp, with but little wind The
stables destroyed were owned and oc-
cupied as follows: E. L. Benedict,
occupied by R. H. Williams, Cashier
Mifiin county Bank; Hon. s. S. Woods,
purchased by R. W. Patton, and occu-
pied by Abner Thompson; John A.
Sterett, occupied by Mrs, Elliott;
Ephraim Banks, Esq and Judge Ritz.
The fire originated in the stable occu-
pied by Abner Thompson, who lost
three fine horses. Every exertion
was made by several persons who got
in when the alarm was given, but some
time elapsed before the door was got
open, and then the fire had made such
headway that the poor animals had to
be left to their fate Mr. Russells sta
bic was saved, being of brick and the
roof protected by fire walls, but as can
be seen by the charred door made an
extraordinary eXcape. On the W estern
end a space interviewed between Ritz's
and Mccormick $ stables, and on the
safety of the latter depended. a long
line of stables on both sides of the
alley, as we'll as the houses on Main
street. \ line was formed of citizens.
who for an hour and u half carried
water in buckets, and thus preserved
it. Some of the bhOys got on the
roof of this stable, others were perched
on the most exposed back-buildings,
others again with hose, hooks and lad
ders, not only endured a scorching
heat, but all worked as if they owned
every dollar at stake! This is trait
in the character of our laborers-we
might almost add most of our loafers
which commends itself to men of
property, and ought in all proper in
stances induce them to be openhanded
with their means.
The principal scene of excitement
however was in the block from Bly,
myers to RusselPs corner The fear
ful certainty that if the wind raised
Ca natural cause from the effects OF
to save the buildings, caused many a
heart to thrOb with pain; but though
the sparks were carried into windows
and on roofs, those on the watch
readily extinguished them as they fell,
and the air was not strong enough to
do more than scorch some of the
premises. Mr.. Russell's back building
once caught fire, as did Ritz s, but both
were speedily got under.
The origin Of the fire is not known,
and opinions are divided as to its cause
Matches are now so indiscriminately
carried, often loosely in pockets and
therefore easily lost, so that one might
be ignited by treading on it, or the
nibbling of mouse or rat might do
the same. The only thing that seems
to favor the idea Of incendiarism is the
fact that the fire when discovered was
mainly in the loft.
The property destroyed was proba-
bly, worth about 81 900, a small amount
of which was insured.
THE DRAFT.-Several public meet
ings were held last week for the pur-
po Of devising some ways and means
to raise bountes for volunteers, and
the council, in obedi nee to petitions
signed by majority of the taxpayers,
agreed that if the money was furnished
they would disburse it, and as soon as
legalized assume it as 4 borough debt.
A balance sufficient to make up the
bounty to 5000 was subscribed, but as
is often the case on juries, one or two
aciseacres have fifty or hundred stub
born men to deal with who will not
listen to reason. Thus, so far nothing
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