Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-02-22
CONFEDERATION Ar HARPERY.
FERRY.

%
Rr. Eaitor.-Harper's Ferry has had its
share of cslani.iss in Ii. past. and il sill
suffering tho consequence Of some Of them.
But, sIaee the war, though foods by water
have devastated, desirustisa by FIRE kas
stayed its visits.
buf ON the morning of the 18th instant,
al two o'clock, while the inhabitants were
wrapped IN unconscious slumbers. and tn.
meen shons fall orbsd in the heavens.
and stiffness reigned, save when intsrruut.d
by occasional passing trains-suddenIy tbs
alarm of fire strnok the inhabitants who were
awakened by tae cry, with terror. The Ere de.
PaFtment, uadsr the superintendent of
Alexander Murphy. Esq, and the Hook
and Ladder Company, under the command
OF the Efficient Captain Thomas Bosrley,
were soon fastening to the scene.
flames were already issuing from svsry
window OF the handsome residences Of Jas.
foreman, Esq on the sast side Of the Shsn.
andoah river, opposite Harpsr's Ferry. BY
she time that any were able to get upan the
scene TO assist tho alarmed aud confused
family In trying to save from the ruin of
their homo, the mansion was completely en-.
rvoiepad in flames. The Ere department. was
unable to do any service on account of the
severe heat. Mr.5G. i. Myers came near
nesting with q serieas sseidens in assisting
to ssys some of the children. The nsn.srd
root, sli on -hss, fell in with a tstfifs crash.
thrsugh the three asers, and the destruction
of the residence of Ar. Foreman was com.
plets. Efforts were made to save a portion.
at leaat, of the statusry and paintings. which
had adorned the mansion. but without sue
cess. Refined taste aud judgment ksa se.
iected them. and shoy had bean purchased
regardless of expense. The extensive
library in the-east Wing-secona story-wss
aiss consumed. The rich furniture. Of mod,
erh design the carpets, imported at great
expense, the piano, organ, and all the wear.
ing apparel, saTe what the family hurriedly
put On, were entirely Destroyed in the
flames. The servants were saved from the
seeond story of the south wing by placing,
ladders reaching to the windows. Tho
timely, assistance Of the FIRE department.
saved the stables, horses. carriages and
sieighs. Seeing that any efforts to save ,ny
thing of tho residence of Mr. Foreman were
unsvaiiing, sll pressnt directed their en-.
deavors to save the msnsion of Mr. James
Cook. aad by heroic efforts they were sue-
osssful. Mr.. Foreman and his family will
occupy rooms at the hotel, where he will
remain uosil he has rebuilt, which he pro.
enscs to do at once. His loss was kea,v
The residence. valued at SIT, 600, insured
ie' Sto,ooo, Hnieu VIII promptly be paid
by Mr.. r. a. Alexander. Mr.. Forensp
has not stated the estimate of his losses in
furniture, carpets. library. paintings. s,atua-
~, &c, as in sneh a bsms as his many such
things haze associated value added TO their
Intrinsic worth.
Where once stood an ornament to Har-
pcr's Ferry, an object Of interest and udmi-
ration to the Traveller, now are ssep b!ask.
eBed walls aud o heap Of smoking ruins.
The yeung people Of Harrsr's Ferry will
lament the casualty, for Mr.,nnd Mrs. Fore
msn entertained with lavish hospitality, and
the mansion ives q faycrito resort for al!
the young of both sexes who wished TO pass
dslishtsome hours in social enjoyment.
Too much credit cannot ha given TO Su,
peFintende"t Murphy. Captain Thc.. Boeriy,
and Messrs, Charles Trail, WILDER Winters.
G L. Myers, T. A. Kirwau, Sheulter Van.
tia, Robert Cavalier, Garland Hurst, II. 8.
Campbell, Dr.. Walter GeckreIl and George
Marquette, members of the Gre department.
for their heroic efotts TO sa7e life and preo-
ertY.
Further psrticalars your correspondent is
usabls TO obtain at this hour.
FIREMAN.
Hsrpcr's Ferry, ". Va, Feb. II, 1881.
THs ATLANTIC, MISSISSIPPI AND ONO
HoAD-Sale IF Firyioiu's Mterest-Tss
Richmond Dispatch publishes the text Of a
contract entered into Immediately after the
sale OF tho Atlantic. Aiississiani apd Ohio