Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-01-22
APPALLING CALAMITY.

One Of the most frightsul and distress
ing catsstrophies, by fire, which veeyer
remember to have happened in the
county, occurred at the residence OF Mr..
Timothy Cavanaugh, in the vicinity OF
Gaithersburg, on TuesJsy night last,
the llth instant.
Mr.. Cavanaugh returned from Wash
ington on the evening train with his
daughter, where he had been making
arrangements to send her TO ST. Mary's
Institute, of this town. Their return
wss greeted with JOY by the household
circle, and the evening passed of full
of those domestic pleasures and amuse-
menis that are incident to an affection.
ate household, and which are so COM
mon in the county during the winter
evenings.
With the usual honr for retiring the
children greeted affectionately their pa
rents, the two who persisted in the
flames being the last-unfortnnste vic
tins, unhappy parents, yon little dream
ed that this embrace wonld be the last;
that the morning would open with the
father and mother bending over tho
charred remains Of their two boys!--tru-
ly sin the midst of life We are in death
The fire originated in the kitchen,
about ~ o'clock; it is supposed that the
wood between the kitchen stove and the
wall having ignited. The servsn,s who
slept in the adjoining room, were arous-
ed by noise OF the falling Of some tin
ware, when they discovered the Kitchen
room in flames, and in rushing from
their room through the dining room in
their flight the doors were LETT open,
thus producing current d air which
carried the flames into the main build
ing. The bursting Of lamp left in one
of these rooms aroused Mr. and Mrs.
Cavanaugh, (whc but for this circum-
stance would have perished,) when they
discovered the lower story OF the house
filled with smoke and flames. Their
first thought was OF their boys, who were
sleeping with an employee, Mr.. Fal-
vey, in the room over the dining room.
The smoke and flames rendered il i'm
possible to reach them by the stairs, sl-
though Mrs. &. was only prevented
from making the attempt by physical
force. The only hope then OF reaching
them was from the outside, but this was
impossible as the flames were by this
time dashing with fury and there was
no means OF reaching the window. An
attemp was then made to arouse them
by throwing ice and snow-bslls against
the window panes, whilst the deateuing
calls could be heard for miles dying on
the midnight Stiffness Of cold aud
dreary winters night.
But all efforts were fruitless, and tho
wretched parents stood sentinel while
the lurid flames sported with their de-
voted boys, what q terrible and heart
rendipg sight, and how their hesrtstnnst
have been torn as they fancied they
could heau their agonizipg screams.
The night broke away and in the morn
ing sunlight, in heap OF ashes, were
found the remains of Martin Francis aud
Dennis Joseph, aged respectively IL
and 9. together with John Falvey, aged
forty-four years. Pending this terrible
ordeal Mr.. and Mrs &. were in their
night clothes. Mrs. e. was barefooted,
and when she left the scene of the SAD
incident was compelled to walk . milo
through the snow, but so great was The
grief and agony of mind that she Was
insensible 10 the suffering incident 10
such exposure.
Mr.. G. had no insurance apd every
article O. household furniture aud cloth.
ing was lost, including two gold watches,
Sl60 in money and $1,000 check, tho
latter can be replaced. The remains OF
the unfortunate victims, who were So
untimely aud friehtfuIly hurried into
eternity, were taken yesterday morning
to Washington for interment.
In this distressing calamity Mr.. Cav
aDaugh and family have the deep sym.
paihy Of our entire community. Tho
wound is indeed deep one, aud ono
which bleed long and freely, by reason
OF the terrific and painful! ordeal through
which they have passed; but griei bath
its ebbings, and we sincerely hope that
the sad memories Of this painful sf'lic-
tion will be 10 81 in q realization Of the
truth that call things work together for
good. '-RockriIie Sentinel. u