The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-07-25
Particulars Of the Great Flrein New
York City,

CLEAN the following additional particulars
Of the great fire in New York City,:
At half past IL o'clock on the 18th
inst, there was an alarm of frein Broad
way, which was discovered to have
originated from flames in the lower por-
tion ofBarnum's Museum. There was
immediately a great rush to the fire.
About Is minutes after the first alarm
the flames burst forth, and dense vol
ames of smoke began curling from the
demolished window panes. Ladders
were placed against the Museum, and
desperate attempts made to save tho
curiosities, The pet bear was saved bv
the ladder, two FIibernian's carried off
the tame sealin triumph, but most of the
inanimate curiosities perishcd, while the
happy family, the monkeys, birds, fish
es, white whales, SC, shared like fate.
The agonizing cries uttered by such of
these animals as could cry were pititul
indeed. Just before the final collapse
of Barnum's Museum an awful, unearth
ly scream was heard. The crowd in.
voluntarily gave back, but as soon re.
turned. Some said it was the whales,
but it was most probably the bursting
Of conduit filed with water and
steam.
During the fire at the Museum one
man seized the wax figure of Gen. Grant.
He rushed frantically upon the balcony,
when stream Of water took him amid.
ships and he dropped the General to
save himself The figure was undoubt.
edly consumed. Another individual in
the melee, seized stuffed figure, rush.
ed wildly to the portico and called for
| some one to help him, when 10 !he had
saved the efligy Of jeff. Davis. The
crowd hooted and hissed but the gent
thought it little too late to back out,
and in the endeavoi to save something
| for Mr.. Barnum, lowered Jen"s inanimate
from to a person OH the side walk. AS
he did so the head of the tlcfunct Presi-
dent dropped of. Subsequently it was
found hanging to a lamp post by ST.
Paul's on Fulton Street.
Many engines had congregated at the
first alarm, and heavy streams of water
were at play. The heat was intense,
and the Astor House was saved only by
wet blankets and the unrcmitting efforts
of its employees, both from burning and
robbery. ST Paul's s!eeple was once
on fire, which was opportunely quencl,
ed.
Finally Barnum's was cleared. All
saw the necessity of leaving. and at n
quarter past one o'clock the walls began
to topple and fall, disclosing the fiery
furnace raging within. At half.past
two a smouldering heap, scarcely ten feet
high, was ali that was left of the great
American Curiosity Shop.
The contents of the Museum was nj.
most u total loss. The theatrical troupe
lost their baggage and barely escaped
with life. The fat woman, Anna Swan.
was discovered at the head Of the stairs,
almost swooning from the effects of tie
smoke, She was saved, but her bag
gage was all lost, So were the Albinos;
and also some pictures of the Revo.
lutionary war, painted by Mr.. John Nc
Nevin. '"t' 81 :" 7'$aS 'a'
The devouring element then cxten.
den thence along Ann street to Broad
way and towards Nassau street and
through the block to Fulton street. max.
ing a clean sweep of all The buildings on
Broadway iSpt,seen Ann and Fulton
streets, al8ElS atrect as far as and in.
Guiding M long Fulton to No.
l65. OtheE a z{ere CONSIDERABLY
damaged. fi Ils5k shtssa sS4s'aadHDay buildiass
were. destroyed, ssts received con
The Herald Office Was once in great
danger. Large cinders were raining
npon the roof and down the chimneys,
but owing to private fire apparatus, tie
roofs were kept flooded with water, and
the adjoining buildings also materially.
benefited. The fire companies, SO Of
whom were present / ], coming from
Brooklyn, rendered the greatest service,
and finalychecked the flames.
The flames at one time were so pow.
erful, that they appeared to extend at