New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-15
A GREAT FIRE IN MILTON. PENN.
FOUR HUNDRED BUILDINGS DESTROYED - Al

NEEDED.
MILTON. Penn, May IA fire broke out at IL
o'clock to-day in the car works. and heavy north
west wind prevailing, it was impossible to check
the progress Of the flames until the entire business
portion of the town was destroyed. 1t is estimated
that 400 buildings were destroyed, including all
the churches. The fire burnt over a space seven
squares in length and two in width Assistance
came from Sunbury, Danville, Williamsport, Lewis
burg and WatsontOwn.
Among the buildings destroyed arc Lawson's ma
chine shops, the heArmory. Academy Of Music, Re-
formed Presbyterian. Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist
and Evangelical Churches banks, telegraph Office,
newspaper Office Pennsylvania Railroad depot, gas
works, and all the hotels.
The only important business places saved are the
rolling mill, nail works, Wilson's ynet factory. and
the planning mills. Several bodies have been recov
cred, but they are burned beyond recognition. Two
hundred and fifty families have been rendered home
less and are camping out in the fields. Supplies Of
provisions and clothing are needed at once
THE TRACK OF THE FLAMES.
SUEBURY, PENN May 14.-The Milton fire started
in the finishing of the works in the north
ern end Of the town. An alarm at once sounded,
but before the engines could get the ground the
| entire works were In flames. The wind blew
gale in the direction of the town, and soon the
fire was beyond all control Aid was teeGraphed
soon on the ground. The wind veered in
different directions and it was impossible to do any
| effectual work, and Broadway and Front-sts,, the
| business part of the town, were soon wrapped in
flames and the fire swept from street to street until
1t reached the open country at the southern end OF
tho town. In the meantime, tho Williams
| port Danvillc. WatsontOwn aud Lewis
burg fire departments had arrived, but the
| wind continued so nigh that they could
| render but little service, and only few hOnses
| here aud there along the track OF the Ire
exceptions, and the depot were destroyed. Two
missing. About 600 families are. homeless.
| Aid has been rendered by the citizens Of Sunbnry,
Lcwisburg and Watsontown to the destitute people.
Large quantities Of household goods wcre loaded on
and taken NJ and down the road, and the belds
| around the town are filled with goods.
During the confusion many articles were stolen
| and carried away. One lady lost 100000 In
| Government bonds. Tho fire ragged so hcrcely that
| in the upper part OF the town most of the people
| barely escaped with their lives. The wife OF Dr.
Cyrus Brown is badly burned and several Others are
Of great confusion. hundreds Of people pouring into
| town from every direction. The fire was gotten
@HfGT to S6: bSt ny
accurate cstinLate can be given Tonight, The mall
| sion of ex-Govcrn0r Pollock was destroyed.
| Lafer-The latest estimate places the loss by to-
! dav's fire at $1.S00,OOO, and the insurance
AN APPEAL FOR AID
| HARRISBURG Penn, May 14.-Tho following dis
patch has been sent by Governor Hoyt to tho
| MAYORS nf the cities of this Statei
The town Of Milton has this dav almost entirely
! desiroycd by fire. Three thousand people are now
hou ecss destitute OF clothing, provisions and all the
| necessities OF hfe. / would suggest that you call
meeting OF yOnr citEens Mt once TO furnish immediate
! aid 10 these stricken people
Milton Is In Northumberland County, Penn,
on the est wbranCb OF the susquebanna River 1t 10
thirteen miles above sunlury aud twenty-seven miles
| he MllliansuoHt. A
ton aud the Philadelphia and Erie and the CatawssR
ana Wilamsport Railroads have dcpOts there. Before
the fre Milton had churches two National banks,
newspaper office nnd ubOut ak mills factories. The
| population In 1870 was l 900.