Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-17
HORRIBLE CATASTROPHE.
JaH Consumed by Fire-Tweufy-syyO
Persons Burned 60 Death.
u a.. Pa < ~ Ca
Prom the Kingston, 5. G. Star

FROM lAe hluhHl"iAf D - t@thf
We are call upon 10 record one Of the
most horrifying and melancholy accidents
which has ever occurred within the Limits
Of this State Though an accident which no
caution or foresight could avoid it will send
a thrill Of horror throughout the whole
country. On the eveningof the 7th instant,
between the hours Of eight and nine, the
occupants Of the jail heard, very suddenly,
4 rumbling noise in the upper stories Of the
Jail as il the iron CRATES were being shaken,
and Immediately followed the cry Of FIRE,
he rushed from his room % ascertain
whether the jail was on fire or not, and
after walking around the jail he observed
little smoke issuing from one OF the win
dows on the third floor, his next object was
TO open the prison door and extinguish it,
but remembering that Mr. Barineau who
WaI the jailor, and who was living several
hundred yards from the the JAIL had the
keys in bis possession, he (the occupant of
the Jail Immediately dispatched a mes
senger for him Mr. Barineau, accom-
panied By the sheriff, were soon at the
Jail in the meantime, however Numbers
Of persons had collected. The fire, apps
rently, at this time had not made as rapid
progress as was shown in a few minutes
although 8 dense smoke was issuing from
every window The sheriff with the assist
ance Of nearly all the citizens Of the village,
and the garrison at this place, Immediately
took the most active measures 10 save, if
possible, the unfortunate inmates. Ths
door on the baseMent was opened hui the
dense and suiiocaiing smoke prevented any
one from Fescning those who occupied the
third story. As a last resort, strenuous
efforts were then made, with the assistance
Of ladders 10 remove the grating from one
of the Windows, which proved eiIectual
At this time the cries and screams of the
suffering inmates were heart-rending. The
Jail was in flames, and twenty-five human
beings were being burnt 10 death without
any possible relief. Human agency cOnld
effect nothing; every effort was made 10
rescue them which could be suggested, but
all to no purpose The deyouring flames
soon consumed them, and in the charred
ruins is only to be seen the CHASTITY specta-
Gle Of bones. Horrible as the accident may
be, and as much as il may be regretted, a
consolation follows Of having done our duty
to the best Of our abilities, and that accident
is confined TO place or order of circum-
stances. With us rests the dniy, but the
result with God.
At the time the Jail caught fire there
were in II tWenty-three prisoners. Twenty
two negroes were confined in the upper
sells on the third floor, among whom were
three women. On the second story Robert
H. Finn a white man, was confined on
bail process. Mr.. NJ. +. Mcbride, by great
daring, rushed TO Mr. Films room, which
was the FIRST one at the head Of the stair
way, aud unlocked the door, he thereby
making his escape Mr.. Mcbride deserves
the highest credit, but in his attempt to
save the prisoner, he came nigh losing his
own life He fell twice from suiiocation
before he reached the foot Of the staircase.
As TO the origin of the Ere we can only
conjecture. Whether it was accidental or
designed by the prisoners for the purpose
Of making their escape, is one Of those
mysteries that will remain unexplained.
A Jury of inquest is now sitting for the in
vestigation Of the whole matter; but up to
time Of going to press they have not rem
dered their verdict.