Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-07-21

THE BURNING OF BARNUM's MUSEUM
We compile from the New York papers the
following particulars Of the destruction Of
Barnum's famous Museum, Thursday. July
18Th, 1866;
At l2,45 o'clock the flames burst out in
second story Of the Museum, just over the
restraint, and spread with amazing rapidity,
fed by the light and combustibc material.
In moment the FIRE mounted to the third
story, and at forty minutes past twelve burst
out OF every window on the Ann street side
Of the Museum. 1t gave way apparently on
the two lower floors, but ragged furiously in
the two upper stories. Part of the roof fell
in five minutes later, and the neghboring
buildings on Ann street we're attacked. The
fremcn rallied in great force, but the flames
were famed by a strong breeze which swept
them over toe roofs of the adjoining buildings
on Broadway, and in q few minutes the FIRE
had gained hold in the three upper stories
Of No. 2l4 Broadway. This building was
occupied by Rogers & Raymond, elothiers,
and by the billiard saloon of w alace 81 Reeves.
1t was entirely destroyed except the walls.
The sceue at this moment was fearfully
grand. Vast volumes Of smoke poured out
Of the windows on the Broadway and Ann
street fronts of the Museum huge tongues
of flame rose from the middle of the building,
and smaller darts Of fire caught the transpa-
rencies and signs three Hoors Of the building
No. 2l4 Broadway were mass Of light fame
fitemen and property owners we're springing
up and down ladders to remove such porta-
bic articles as could be passed out; tre-
mendous crowd filed the Park. the west side
Of Broadway, Vesey street, PaIclay street,
! - Il. u. IL
view OF the scene while twenty steam and
hand fre-engines poured incessant streams Of
water upon the flaming mass. AS the flames
gained strength and volume, the heat became
intense, forcing back the crowd, but subject
| ing the fremen to severe suffering.
| SO far as can now be ascertained, none OF
the visitors in the Museum, nor persons en-
| ployed by Mr.. Barnum, were injured. The
alarm caused by the discovery Of the FIRE in
! the restaurant on Ann street the signal
for general fight, and it is believed that
every body escaped safely before the Museum
caught. 1t was very fortunate that the fire
occurred at midday. Had IL taken place in
the evening when the Museum is crowded
with visitors, and the theatre crammed with
spectators, the limited means of egress would
have proved lamentably insufficient
| The sudden leap of the flames from floor
! to floor made it impossible to remove many
| OF the curiosities contained in the Museum,
and the living animals on exhibition were
speedily destroyed. The Happy Family Of
cats, rats, pigeons, monkeys and parrots,
Gagged in the centre OF the fifth floor, soon
became very unhappy and departed this life.
/ 1t was impossible to save any of the poor
creature. The whales, also, came to an un-
timely end.
The fremen we're axous in their endesvor
to save the property, and some exhibited
great penchant for curiosities. One fremau
was seen emerging from the building with
stuff ed owl in his hands. Another fastened
on one of the wax figures, and it is said that
Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Thumb and baby are not
among the things that were. Also that sew
eral other curiosities have been saved, and
[ will doubtless be restored to Mr.. Barnum.--
JEFF. Davis petlicoats " were seen hanging
on lamp post in Fulton street, soon after
the fire broke out. The fat woman and the
giant and giantess made their way out with
out difficulty, but hastened to conceal them
selves from public exhibition in their hotel.
Ned' the learned seal, was rescued from
the burning building by fireman. He was
dragged out by the fukes, placed in a cham
payne basket, and conveyed on a cart to Full
ton Market, where a convenient fish tank was
found in which he was placed, and thus re-
stored to his native element. de did not
seem to at all appreciate the attentions he
was receiving. but snapped at his preserver
and all who came within reach. One of the
passers-by was nearly deprived OF his neither
garments BY nip from the shap fsngs OF the
creature.
! Mr.. Barnum was absent at the time of the
conflagration, he being in Connecticut.
| As the news Of the burning of the Museum
spread over the city, thousands OF persons
focSed to the scene of conhagration. From
every section of the city the crowd poured
down broadway and Chatham street to the
burning of the ancient temple of curiosities.
1t was with the greatest difficulty that the
police could clear the street to give the fire.
men chance to work. but by the aid of
heavy reinforcements from a number Of the
down town precincts they succeeded at last
in clearing a large space around the burning
building, the heat from which was so intense
that thousands were driven back by the over
heated atmosphere. The Park, almost from
the City Hall to the lower gates, was LITERAL
ly j4mmed with the multitude, among which
were many women"