The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-11-17

\lhe town OF bneDanuOhnj hcnuJlhlh
county, was swept by terrible conhagra-
ton on Monday afternoon last, rendering
hundreds Of people houseloss, and many Of
them in want Of food and clothing. The
telegraph offices, all the newspaper Offices,
the Academy OF Music, in fact all Of the
principal buildings, public und priyate'
have been reduced to ashes, There have
been few il any lives lost, but the distress
entailed is indescribable.
To add to the horror Of oi the situation,
many Of the victims escaped from their
burning homes clad in soauty garments,
and as the wind was blowing perfect
hurricane, there is suffering from the con.
sequent exposure. Groups gathered about
the smouldering embers, endeavoring to
extract some warmth from all that remains
Of their homes.
THE gAoK OF THE FLAMES,
Tho flames originated between l2 and /
o'clock in the United States Hotel, build
ing built OF frame on corner Of Centre and
Main Streets, structure consisting OF three
stories and capable of accommodating a
large number of guests.
The alarm was promptly given and the
liremen quickly responded, but at the very
outset they realized the uselessness Of their
efforts, the wind blowing at such terrific
rate that the flames, sparkling and seething,
Iumped from window to window, and soon
completely covered the building. A great
crowd athprcd in front OF the doomed
hotel and impcded the work of the volun-
teer fire department. Another dra wback
toward staying the flames was found in the
mems lack OF training. In less than fifteen
minutes the floors of the hotel were crack
ling and falling, aud the flames leaped
across the street and communicated to the
block Opposite. There was no possibility
now of saving the business portion OF the
town, and the only question was whether
any portion Of il could escape
BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
The telegraph office having been the first
to 90, assistance was summoned by tele-
phuue from PUttsvile, Ashla nd, Tamaqua,
Muhanoy City, and other small towns in
the mining district. The responses, while
made as quickly as possible, were not effec
tual in stopping the work of destruction.
Among the principal buildings which
rapidly gave way TO the flames were the
Academy OF Music, Odd Fellows Hall,
Herald newspaper offices row the Opera
House and the office of the Mining Herald
and Saturday EUeninq Net0s. Meanw ale
the flying clnders had reached the homes
of hundreds Of residents, and fires had
| started up in different parts of the town.
All work at the colieries had been sus
pended, and men aud boys, begrimed with
coal dust, were pouring buckets of water
upon the inhamnable roofugs of their
residences. AS there were only three
buildings, either wholly or partly of brick,
| 1t is easy to picture the scene which follow
| ed. Dwelling alter dwelling succumbed.
until several squares had been swept away
| 1t is impossible to correctly estimate the
loss, but many place it at three quarters OF
s million dollars. While several petsnns
were slightly injured, there Is no -iataI
casualty reported up to this hour, save in
| the case Of James Heaton, who, in attempt.
ing to board train, fell under the wheels
and was run over Both of his legs were
cut Off aboye the knees and he died the
same evening. lie leaves widow and
| four children.
AN APPEAL For AID.
Monday night. Council having been
summoned in special session, there was a
large meeting, at which all OF the promi-
| neat citizens were present. After considera
ton and estimating the number. or neonle
IN distress, it was resolved To send out an
appeal to the public. 1t was drawn up as
| loilows.
A terrible holocaust has swept the town.
Two hundred and fifty families are home
less, and most OF them have lost their all
aud are without provisions or change OF
| s,rnng North wos, ,ala ;s o,,lI tia,.i,,
EverItbing noss,ble i1r their Im,nsd;a,, 70.
lief IL beins .I,n.. bnt we musr hsvs Ill,
| Who will aid us and give at onceq e A re
iie committee. with John Leatbers as
treasurer. has been appointed and viii re.
ceve all contributions Of snpplies clo,hinp
| or money n ren.rous nublic may he eb.rt
able enough to serd. fSlgnejl
d. WfIII,vs
Chioi Rurgess
IL PnwptIH
prrs;dsnt ,i Cn,r,;I
,Inux Cams
Secre,orv
The School Roard mot OF @ n,cIooL Nh
dny eyeninv and Ihraw onan ,bo sclnol
bouses. which were nnt hurneJ C,r ,r,a s1,,'
| ierers.
pRsontpr,ov or ruv rowv
| Shenandoah is town of mnra than 70
OOO inbabitnnts. situat', in Msbanoy Vai
lev. SrhuvIkiIl connIv ahn,,, ,y,, ao1 90
halr mics t,nm MaIonn,, Ci,, ond 49,,
twslve mice N,,th Of po,toy'Iio a" +, 80 ,,o.
founded nhont eightaan or t,ran,r 80 "r,
aao and a to. 81 ,,ot',a,'i. 'It,y ,e1'' ~
moor, and the cnllicry lnrmerIv nwned h,
lee. Grant & Co., and now owned by th,
Ph'ladelphia and Reading Coal and iror
'Virl'Ts Tnlo Tsshi.h v,uo
Reading Railroads both nass thronol
Shenandoah, the coal shipments from thi
point oelng greater than those from any
Main s,raa, ;s ~" "', ai, suy ..;.
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