The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-06-05

ated in the rear Of his premises il
the southwestern part of the town
near Keim & Co.'S foundry, was ol
fire. As the flames increased tn
high wind which blew from the soutl
west carried sparks and burning Gin
ders over towards other buildings, a
once creating general alarm for th'
safety of goodly portion of tn
town. But no person was prepared
for what was to follow. The on'
small fire apparatus, the "independ
ent,n was brought to the vicinity an'
its suction placed in a well and waite
drawn and thrown upon adjoining
buildings, where the fire was now
raging and gaining headway. Th'
flames increased and the wind hurled
burning brands far over amidst othel
buildings, and one or two houses anC
several stables were on fire within
five minutes from the time the alarm
was first given. Seeing volumes o
smoke arising, and knowing the gal,
of wind prevailing, everybody in tn,
town began focking to the scene o
danger, few, if any persons remain
ing at their homes. Although hun
dreds of people were gathered in tn,
vicinity of the fire, with pals of wa
ter and the fire apparatus, their eff
forts were as futile as an infants tC
stop the fiery elements, which, fed by
the highly combustible material in
the stables and dry wooden buildings
then on fire, sent burning brands in.
to the very heart of the town. II
was soon perceived that no earthly
power could arrest the flames, and a
general panic followed
Frightened people rushed in every
direction-the widest commotion pre-.
vailed, and for a while the people
were almost paralyzed with fear
Men rushed hither and thither in the
vain hope of saving some of their ef.
fects, or those of their friends. The
flames grew larger and larger, the ali
was filled with brands of FIRE, and
house after house became ignited.
On! on! sped the demon! now here.
now there! new flames shot up, and
leaping far away would wrap build.
ings on opposite sides of the street in
fiery embrace Persons who had left
their homes to assist others who were
supposed to be in more danger, on
looking back would find their own
houses in flames. Thus the conha-
grafton ragged and spread its devas-
tating folds, until scores of houses
were u mass of fire and the scene be-
came pandemoniup. Consterna-
ton seized the people, Jmen ran as
wild, and women.eSf. Children were
fleeing in all .sihSti.ns. Mothers
with babes in their arms were shrek
ing for their other children, and run
ming for their lives-little ones were
separated from their parents and
knew not which way to go--the air
was hot and blasting-the flames
roared as a terrific hurricane, and it
seemed that, to use the words of an
eyewitness, "hcll itself was let loose" :"
Strange and varied were the latent
emotions of men revealed as the fact
became apparent that the eastern por-
ton of the town was doomed. Some
could look upon their burning prop
erty with a silent stolidity, others
could not but bemoan their loss, while
husky voice and trickling tear of some
betokened the deep feeling felt as the
fire wrapped their fond homes in its
cruel embrace. Whilst some men had
the presence of mind to secure a few
of their valuables, others were at a
loss what to do, and ran about in an
aimless manner, seizing in their fren-
zied grasp the very things of least
value 20 carry them out of reach of
the fire. One man rushed into his
dwelling in this manner, and seizing
crock Of milk carried it outside the
belt of fire, leaving his money and
everything else valuable in the house
to burn. As the fire spread the air
became so hot that houses were ig-
nited from the heat alone, and brick
buildings as rapidly disappeared from
view as wooden ones. 1t was i'm
possible for men to get within the
belt of fire to attempt to save any,
thing in houses still seen standing.
The whole area of about thirty acres
was abandoned, but so close were the
flames that many persons were badly
scorched in their flight, and in some
instances the clothing of women and
children were set on fire as they hur-
ried through the streets and alleys.
With returning reason, men set to
work with most heroic determination
to save what buildings they could and
arrest the progress of the fire in all
possible directions 1t was only by
the most daring and superhuman ef-
fort that the Barnet House, the Court
House, fine residence belonging to
w. j. Baer, Esq, the residence of 4.
ScuIl, Esq, and several other build
ings were saved. Farmers surround
ing the town in view of the great
smoke fastened to the scene and lent
their assistance. Wherever a house
near the belt of fire was endangered,
men mounted to the roofs and cover
ed them with wet carpets, blankets
and bed quilts. At some places lines
of men, and women, too, were FORM
ed and buckets Of water passed from
hand to hand to those upon the
houses. And it was this way alone
that saved the remaining portion of
Somerset Nobly-most nobly-did
a majority of the men and women
work; many a deed of daring and
heroic sacrifice was done. No pen
can record the many creditabie acts
performed. Some will be treasured
up in grateful remembrance, Others
will pass into forgetfulness. For two
hours the conAagration ragged with
unabated fury, when by a change in
the wind, and for want of more houses
to feed upon, the flames began to les
sen and the worst was over. Men
who had worked with the strength
of giants, now that further danger
was past, began TO feel weakness of
their over taxed powers. Enquiries
began to be made for missing friends,
and everybody set about hunting up