The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-11-14
TERRIBLE CONFEDERATION.

VIZ EM ERA1H 49, .tNy~H 8.kf
On last Monday night, at about clever
o'clock, our citizens were aroused from
their slumbers by the alarm Of fire. TIT
Miller House barn, on Second street, wa
found to be on fire, Mr.. Miller, who wa,
in his bar-room at the time, fastened t
the barn, and succeeded in getting two
horses and one COW out, but before any.
thing else could be reached, the entire
~buildingwas wrapped,in the devourins ell
ement. Tho flames we're communicated
to the adjoining two story frame building,
belonging to Isaac Gates, and occupied by
Mrs. Newcomer, and spread with such
rapidity that several persons, who went
into the house after goods, barely made
their escape by jumping from the second
story windows. A frame barn, also own.
ed by Mr.. Gates, caught fire next, and in
an incredibly short time, all these build.
lngs were totally destroyed, the fire hay
ing no sooner burst its bounds, than the
whole block was a mass Of roaring, crack
ling flames. Vi va
There we're nine horses, one COW and four.
teen hogs burned TO death in Millcr's
barn. 1t was a most shocking spectacle
to witness the horses kicking and plung.
ing about, as the fiery element approach
ed them, and the hardest hearted recoiled
with a shudder as their dying groans as
conded from the burning ruin. ..
Three Of the horses belonged to Mr..
Miller, two to a gentleman from Wooster,
whose name VIC have forgotten, ard who
also had a wagon loaded with ropes and.
twines, burned; one to VIM. Cowan, Esq +,
Of Green Township one to John Van
Nest, Esq of Rowsburg, who also lost a
buggy ; and the other two were owned by
the Obcrlin Hack Company. The Hack
was also burned. 1t is not known how
the fire originated.
Mr. Miller's loss, including barn, horses,
cow, hogs, bay, grain, 81, will amount to
at least $1,000. ,,-o.g l
Mr. Gates lOss is estimated at 81 900
He had a very valuable horse seriously
injured, during the fire, and will probably
not recover. Mrs. Newcomers loss will
perhaps amount to $3.50.
The total loss is estimated at IS, 0G0.-
There was no insurance on any of the
property burned.
The Fire Company was at the fire in a
very short time after the alarm was given,
but all their efforts at saving the buildings
were futile, as there was not enough hose
to reach from the nearest ~cisteru to the
fire, but they did good service in prevent
ing the fire from, spreading. For a time,
the heat was sointensc that several neigh
boring buildings were in iinmincnt danger
and it was only by the herculean efforts
Of the Firemen aud a few citizens, that
they were saved from destruction.
We desire to add a word here in regard
to the action Of our citizens during the
progress of the fire. A few-very few
worked like heroes, while the majority
that were there, stood with their over.
coats and gloves on, gazing mdifercntly
on the scene of destruction, refusing to
carry water, OF assist the Firemen, on
the Engine. We saw q number Of Ia
dics-GOd bless them-who worked nobly,
pumping and carrying water, until nearly
ready to drop from exhaustion, while
these gentlemen (Heaven a ' the
mark, D stood AROUND, occasionally re.
marking that the buildings would probably
burn if there were not moro water thrown
on them. Such creatures do not deserve
to bs called men, vsr -u.{ q.