The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-05-05
oLD-rlME FIRE in GOTHAM.
Hundreds Of Structures Burned Oves
the Heads OF british Troops
In I770.

September 81, 177G, great fire be-
gan In New York In small wooden
house on the wharf near the whitehall
slip, says the New York Tribune. The
hre began late at night. There being
but a very few inhabitants in the city,
In a short time II ragged tremendously.
II burned all the houses on the east side
OF Whitehall slip and the west side Of
Broad street A providentlal and happy
circumstance occurred al this time: the
wind was then southwesterly. About
.wo o'clock that morning the wind
veered to the southwest. This carried
The flames Of the fire to the northwest
ward and burned both sides OF Beaver
street to the east side of Broadway,
thln crossed Broadway to Beaver lane,
and, burning all the houses on both
sides of Broadway, with some few
houses In New street TO Rector street.
and TO John Harrison. ESQ., three
story brick house, which house stopped
the fire on the east side OF Broadway;
from thence II continued burning ali
the houses In Lumber street anu
those In the rear OF the houses
on the west side OF Broadway to 81.
Paufs church, then continued burning
the houses on both sides Of Partition
street and all the houses In the rear
(agaln) OF the west side Of Broadway 10
the North river. The fre did not stop
until II got into Mortklle street. now
Barclay street. The college yard and the
vacant ground in the rear OF the same
pn' an end TO this awful and tremendous
IRE.
Trinity church being burned was oe-
ctsioned by the fakes OF fire that fell on
the south side Of the roof. The souther-
ly wind famed these fakes OF fre in a |
short time 10 an amazing blaze, and Il |
son became out OF human power TO ex-
tinguish the same the roof OF the noble
edifee being so steep that no one could
90 on Il.
81. Paul's church was in the like per-
ilous situation The roof being fat. with
a balustrade on the caves, a number OF
The citizens went on the same and ex-
the flakes OF fire as they fell |
Oh the roof Thus happily was this
beautiful church saved from the de-
struction OF this dreadful nre. which
the ruin thereof. and that IL
the whole city.
The Lutheran church. being contlgu.
BUS to houses adjoining the same Gre.
L was impossible 10 save Il from de-
struction. This FIRE was so furious and
hot that DO person could 60
near u, and there were no fire engines
70 be had At that time IN the city.
The number OF houses burned was 4g3.
There being very few inhabitants in
he city At the time. and many Of those
were afraid TO venture at night In the
streets for fear Of being taken up a.
iuspicious person. a Mr.. White, a decent
stizen and house carpenter, rather TOO
iiolent a loyalist. and latterly had adj
'ieted himself TO liquor. was on the
iight Of the FIRE hanged on tavern sign
'ost AZ the corner OF Cherry and Roose- !
'elt streets. Several Of thecltizens we're
ent to the provost guard for examine
Ion and some Of them remained there
wo or three days, until they could give
evidence OF their loyalty.
Hugh Gain. in his Universal Regis. I
or for the year i7i7. says: New York c
about 9 mile and half In length and
half mile broad. containing before ths :
res on September p. I77G. and August i
ITS, about 4.20o houses and 10000
The Sons OF Liberty were accused By
he British OF being the incendlarles
nd q number Of them we're thrust into Z
be flames IN revenge for the supposed
ntrage Several citizens we're also ar. q
fsted and imprisoned. but the chatge Of Il
cling accessories was not sustained and q
'ey were released SO great was the n
stress Of the inhabitants shat they =
Icksd sheets OF canvas 10 the rem.
ants of charred walls and standing =
iimneys, thus forming a city of tents. T.
which they blvouacked." a
The FIRE occurred at the time when
owes troops were stretched In cor
ln across the island. in readiness to
u upon the army OF Washington. en- J"
imped upon the heights on the opposite v
de Of Harlem Plains. Washington oc- N
pying as headquarters The Roger Nor pl
> house, which overlooks Harlem IT. hi
below High Bridge and is now known m
the Jumel mansion The loyalisi "a
rner Of the property. Col. Morris. had
ar-iedi the beautiful Mary Phillipse.
hon Washington at one time wooed In n
IN, In this house battles were al
AIMED. consultations were held with st
iefs Of indian tribes and secret IN
ruciions were issued to the spy Of the
utral ground After The revolution
estate was conhscated and vas then
rehased By John Jacob Astor who
q II 70 Stephen Jumel After Jumsi's
ath his widow married Aaron Burr. but IN
lett her shortly after and sought se- ns
icion on Station island Upon the key .h
ne af an arch ID the rnain hall Is the y,
ta i7bS and from its piazza mar BE- seen ~ ~
lover city, brooklyn bridge. seven ull
unties IN Two different afat.s A.. bO