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From the Baltimore Patriot, June 24
The alarm of fire was raised about half past four o’clock yesterday
afternoon, and proved a true, and in the result a lamentable one. It originated in the lumber yard of Messrs. Kirby
& Clarke, in the rear of McElderry’s wharf, and spread with a rapidity altogether uncontrollable by the utmost
exertions of the fire and engine men (which were rendered with their usual alacrity and spirit) until it had destroyed
SEVENTEEN of the brick warehouses and dwellings froming on M’Elderry’s wharf. Two or three houses were also destroyed
on the south side of Pratt street. The total loss of buildings, large and small, is near thirty. The loss of property,
independent of the buildings, was very considerable.
An immense number of citizens assembled with promptitude to aid
in extinguishing the flames. Every attempt, however, from the beginning, must have been manifestly unavailing;
and the littleness and weakness of human power were never more completely and impressively evinced, than in this
appalling and disheartening scene, when the destroying element, with irresistable force, consumed the avails of
industry, and seemed to mock at human interference.
Everything was done, we belive, that was practicable, to preserve
the property. But there could not have been a more unprepitious scene for exertion. At the commencement the wind
blew a gale from the S. E. It occasionally veered, but still held strong for several hours. The fire commenced
in a lumber yard. Opinions vary as to its origin: but as the fire sprung up in two different places, it is rationally
concluded to be the work of an incendiary. There are other strong cirucumstances which support this last conjecture.
The second building which it reached was a turpentine distillery. Add to this immense piles of lumber placed near
so many warehouses, and of which not less than one hundred thousand dollars worth were burnt; and who can wonder
at the uncontrollable fierceness of the fire?
We deeply sympathise with the honest, industrious and respectable
sufferers. Our fellow citizens, we know, will render something more than sympathy. What can more forcibly remind
us of the frail tenure which man holds on every thing terrestrial, than to find him in the morning blessed with
competence, the means of industry and comfort, and before another sun rises, gazing on the ruins of that which
was essential to the support of his consort, and the bringing forward his children into life?
Some lives were reported to have been lost. It is certain several
were severely injured, among them, Mr. Joseph Bennard, who fell from the roof of a house, was very severely hurt,
and doubts are entertained of his recovery. Mr. Davis also fell and his thigh broken in a most shocking manner.
The following is the most full list we have been able to obtain of the sufferers, and of the property destroyed.
John Diffenderffer, grocer.
Samuel Reed’s tavern, totally burnt.
Hugh Bolton & Co. oil store do.
M. Morgan, do.
S. G. Alpers, grocery & chandiery, do.
David Wilson, do, do.
Jacob Williams’ chair store, much injured, good principally saved.
Wm. & H. Bromwell, sieve and fan factory, do, do.
Do. Do. Do. Lumber, office and yard.
William West, do do
Kirby & Clarke do do
Eastern Shore Hotel do
Banks’ grocery store, totally burnt
Mr. Muller’s store, with a large stock.
Widow Everson’s store do do
Mr. Betts’ copper nail manufactory.
A Turpentine Distillery.
Mr. Carroll’s stable, and three other stables, and offices belonging
to the lumber yard.
Two new two-story Brick Houses, built by William Bromwell
Egenton & M’Queen’s Burr Mill Stone Manufactory.
Two Black Smith’s shops
Col. Stuart is a considerable sufferer at his Stone Yard, adjoining
the lumber yard, the intense heat destroyed the large bodies of free stone and marble, valued at between 2 and
3000 dollars.
Fifteen of the three story buildings were insured in the Equitable
Fire Insurance Company.
We have it from one of the unfortunate sufferers, that the loss
of Messrs. Kirby & Clarke is at least 45,000 dollars. Mr. West’s 25,000 and Messrs., Bromwell’s 1500. It is
the intention of these gentlemen to resume their business immediately, and, with prompt payment from those who
may be indebted to them, aided by a general and friendly countenance of their fellow citizens, they may be enabled,
in the course of time, to repair their misfortunes.
Source: Gettysburg
Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) July 22, 1822 - Page
3
Transcribed and submitted by: Nancy Piper
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