Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-01-31

DEsrRUoTvE CoyrLAGRArIoS. = On Sunday night
last occurred one Of the most destructive confla-
grations which has for years visited this place,
and which, but for the protection afforded by the
snow covering the roofs, and the almost SUPER
human exertions o. the iremen, might have de-
vastntcd the larger portion of the business part
of the town. As it was the large buildings &C.
cupying the hest side of the Public Square and
bounded by East Washington and North Poto-
mac streets were entirely destroyed, together with
a considerable portion of their contents. These
buildings were occupied by Shows Eagle Hotel,
Snively & Cos Drug Store, Lewis N. Fishers
Restaurant, Mcssrs. Juo. D. Swartz and Felheim-
er Il Eros Clothing Store, and by the Office OF
the llagerstown Mall. The Hotel building was
owned by Mr.. VIM. Heyser and the large build
ing on the Potomuc street corner of the Square
by Hr. George Fe,htig. The adjoining buildings
on both Washington and Potomac streets were
somewh hat injured, and their occupants, Messrs
Sehner & Co., hardware dealers and Mr.. Sam'l
z. Schmidt, Dry Goods Merchant, on Washing
ton ST., and Mr.. VIM. F. Orndorff, Clolhier, O.,
Potomac street. sustained considerable loss in the
removal Of goods. Apprehensive ofthe fire ex-
tending up Potomac ST., Messrs. Wright S Ben
DER Clothiers J. A. Wright, 'Dry Goods, and
Robinson & Cottrell shoe dealers, removed their
stock of goods in doing which they sustained
slight loss.
The entire loss will not fill much, ifan-, short
of SOS, 900. OF this Mr.. Hryser has an insurance
on h Eagle Hotel n l ling Of 50, 500, and Mr..
Ge,sge Fechtig, and Iii. blilding $4,000, both in
the Mutual of this place; Messrs Snively & Co..
S4ooa-in the Mutual ST,75o, in the Home 81, $50
and in the North American 81 ,0ao. Messrs Dech.
ort & Wason of tla Mai! had an insurance o.
So, 500, and Mr.. Jno. D. Swnrtz of So, 900 both
in the Mutual Of this place; Nessrs FelheiHer g
policy in Hartford, Conn. Company and Messr;
0rndurf & Co., in the Metropolitan of New York
Messrs Sehnnr g. Co., Lewis NJ. Fisher 4 Co., and
Nr. Samucl Show were all uninsured
The fire originated in the cellar beneath The
Restaurant of Mr.. Fisher where quantity o.
wood, coal, &c, were stored and is supposed &c
have been accidental.
Too much praise, says the HrAd, cannot he
awarded our gallant fremen in their strcnuou:
efforts in c2;inguishing the spreading Hamcs.--
Mr.. David Christ, the heroic engineer Of the Ju
NOR Fire Company was severity burned by sud
den rush of fame into window at which he wa:
standing combating the dcvouring element.
MIR. Thomas Colklcssor, the daring pipcsmar
Of the Hose Company, sustained bodily injuries
by several severe falls in and about the fire. Mr.
VIM. Smith, engineer of the Antietam Co., is al
20 to be commended for his efforts In combat ting
the flames.
We saw large number Of our citizens in COM
pary with our fremen aiding land assist ng in
the removal of goods and alternately working
on the different engines. About the ncighbor-
hood of the fire, gcnerous-minded women con-
tisbuted hot coffee, for which they received the
thanks Of many chilled rnd fatigucd lremen -
When the fire was first discovered and the alarm
given, the Eagle Hotel pavement was scene ei
Nuch excitement and confusion. Women, fran
tie with fear rushed in their night clothing out
upon the snowy street. men issued from its door
ways laden with portable burdens of furniture
sad queenswars, firemen with long lengths OF
hose and ladders gathered about tie roofs and
windows of ths-burning building, while TO and
fro ran the proprictors OF the adjoining buildin
asking help and assistance from arriving citizens
About twenty-five thousand dollars worth OF
property YVES destroyed, nineteen of which was
covered by insurance. The roofs OF number of
houses and stables were somewhat damaged by
fire kindled by flying sparks. However, at two
o'clock, the flames were aubdGtd, and our neo-
pie wendell their way homeward 10 sleep away
The remaioing hours of the departing night.
ALMOST SERIOUS FIRE.-0ne of tine employees
in Messrs. Dorsey & Bowman's Paper Mill below
Funkstown, says The Herald, wishing on Sabbath
to thaw the waterjn the pipes attached to the
machinery of the Mill, took lighted torch and
passed it along them. Having no further use for
the torch, he thrust it beneath pile of boards
in the building, smothering its flame. Another
Of the employees having awakened early on Mon
day morning for the purpose oftaking the morn
ing train northward, was attracted to the Mill
by the bright light observable therein. Going
thther he discovered the boards ia flames, and
extiagui$hsd the fire. AS there was no insura nee
on the Mill at the time, the proprietors loss
would have been very heavy should it have
burned Let our people be careful this windy
wintry weather and, we add to this ad vice, avail
themselves of the services of our friend Taggart
the Agent Of the Metropolitan Fire Insurance
Company. We can assure them that policy in
this Company is a good thing to have iu the
house.
PRopsRTY SALEs.-Ar. Richard Sheckles, Auc-
toneer, sold, on Tuesday last, in this place, for
Mr Wm Bays, Agent for the heirs of Capt. Jas.
Bays, dec d., the farm in the Clearspring dis
trict on which he formerly resided, containing
235 acres at $s5 per acre. Purchaser Mr.. Mar
tin Emmcrt of this place.
Also, for Mr.. Adam Troup farm in the same
district, containing ls acres, at $50 per acre.
Purchaser, Mr.. Jacob Strife On the farm there
is a dwelling house but no barn:
Sa-Such of our readers as may be able and de-
srous of securing home in the true sense of the
term, will give attention to the property adver-
tsed by Mr.. William Keslhofer in this paper
1t is but rarely that such property eau be OBJ
tanned at any price.