Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-03
THE ST. JOHN FIRE.
An Actress Experience
New York Tribune.

Miss Louise Pomeroy, in letter from
St. John, received in this city, gives
some interesting details Of her personal
experience during the recent confagra
tion. She says:
Only three or four people, who were
guests at the Victoria Hotel, saved their
personal property was among the for
tunate number, and saved my profession
al wardrobe. We insisted upon having
our trunks brought down into the Office,
despite the opposition of the clerk, who
urged that there was no danger. Large,
red-hot cinders were blowing about at
the time and dropping on the roof of the
hotel. Moreover, house few steps
off was going like all the rest of the
town, with the dreadful wind in our di-
rection To retreat in good order was
the better part of valor.'
A truckman was instantly called and
his cart loaded and started for the coun-
try, by the kindness of Mr.. Kelley, treas
urer of the theatre, who carried the lug
gage to farm house out on the marsh
road, two miles away. This was the last
and only property saved at the house.
A quanty Of baggage was carried down
to the American wharf, however, and
burned before the very eyes of the un-
fortunate owners.
A number of actresses lost all of their
wardrobes. Little or nothing was saved
at the Academy of Music. My basket
was packed all ready for the nights per-
formance, and l congratulated myself as
the baggage was carried along the street,
that l could send for my basket and soon
be ready at night to go on as if nothing
had happened But there was no play
that night, and it will be many long
year before they have another theatre
in St. John.
1t was difficult to decide which way to
go. The red glare loomed up in every
direction, menacing the lives Of those
who did not beat an instant retreat.
The furious flames were reveling thro'
the insides of the buildings. It was a
fierce assault, and, though sad, mag
ni6cent sight. When little more than
half way to the square the falling of
wall appeared imminent and liable to
cut off all egress at the corner 1t was
necessary to run for life, with the heat
pouring threats upon one at every step.
A very queer feeling creeps over one at
such perilous moment. 1t is bad
enough to die at all and have beautiful
certainty, but to be burned to death
oh! no! Any human being would make
good time under such circumstances.
Arriving safely at Kings square, it was
impossible to leave. We all hovered
around like lost spirits, eager to witness
the scene of destruction. A hotel at the
corner, all newly furnished, was going,
but, as if anxious for company in its
misery, passed the fire-brand across the
street to the bell-tower, which grasped
it, with the assistance of the wind, and
began to crackle and fame as Justify as
the rest. From this the furniture in the
square caught fire and burned up.
Old Trinity Church, the pet OF the
city for its age and associations, burned
at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. 1t was 80
years old. The special pride of the city,
the old coat of arms, which was brought
from New York or Boston by the royal
lists who founded St. John, was on this
church, and was saved by a patriotic
fireman and given into the charge OF
woman for safe keeping. There was
great congratulation among the people
for this, even in their distress. The ven.
cradle clock, that had been as faithful
as dial for many years, stopped at two
minutes past 5, and was soon reduced to
ashes like the rest of this ancient land
mark