Lancaster County PA News - Disasters

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Lives Lost in Boating Accident

The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 6 1807

Lancaster, Penn., April 21

A melancholy accident happened on Sunday last, at the Conawago Falls, a little below Middletown, the particulars of which, as far as we can ascertain, are as follow: An ark, loaded with seven hundred barrels of flour, having on board six hands and four passengers, left Middletown on Sunday morning during a heavy fog, and in attempting to run the Falls, the ark struck a rock, immediately sunk, and every person on board perished.

A few days since a boat, said to contain 400 barrels of flour, upset below Columbia, and the owner of the boat lost his life.

Queen Street, Lancaster PA Destroyed by Fire

March 20, 1811

From Kline's Carlisle Gazette

Extract of a letter from a member of the Legislature to the Editor, dated Lancaster, March 2d, 1811

"I have to inform you of a dreadful conflagration which took place in Lancaster this morning, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock; it is understood that the fire was communicated to a stable by a woman who was out at the stable at a late hour attending to a cow that had calved the evening before. She had taken some coals of fire into the stable for the purpose of steaming the cows elder, and dropped a coal by accident, and which set fire to the stable, to which were three horses, a cow and a calf, four hogs and one goat, all of which were consumed, together with four dwelling houses, one smith shop and back buildings. The buildings which were consumed stood on north Queen street, and where it originated was the fifth door north from the first cross street from the Court house on the west side of north Queen street. The wind blew from northwest, its progress could not be stopped until it consumed all the houses that stood from where it first originated until it reached the corner house, at the Cross street: among the houses was Mr. Dickson's Book Store and Printing Office. Mr. Dickson's loss, independent of his dwelling house, is estimated at 3000 dollars.

The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
August 11, 1819

We learn with regret that the barn belonging to Mr. John Eberly, of Elizabeth township, adjoining the plantation of Mr. George Illig, was on Thursday afternoon, the 22d ultimo, destroyed by lightening, together with a vast quantity of fine grain. - Lancaster paper

The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
August 18, 1819

Fire - On Monday evening last, befor sunset, a valuable barn of Mr. Samuel Slaymaker, in the northwest border of this city, filled with wheat and hay, were consumed by fire, applied with an unknown incendiary - Loss about $1000. - Lancaster Intel.

The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
October 6, 1819

A fire in Strasburg, on Monday evening last, consumed 3 dwelling houses and a stable. The principle sufferers are, Messrs Shindle, Sides, and Lewis Smith. A person in the borough is suspected of firing the buildings - Lan. Int.

The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA
December 29 1819

The barn of Mr. Jacob Gamber, 7 miles from Lancaster, on the Marietta road, was destroyed by fire on the evening of the 20th inst. His barn (says the York Gazette) was burnt last summer and one burnt on Monday evening, was a new one not quite completed. The fire was accidental, the carpenters, to finish it more expediently worked in it by candle light, and not being sufficiently careful fire was communicated to the building, by which an individual had a second barn destroyed within a year.

Lancaster, March 17

Fire - On Thursday evening last week, the barn and stabling of Mr. Henry Landis, 4 miles from this city, on the road to Reading, were destroyed by fire, with 2 horses, three horned cattel, and 36 sheep. It is said the buildings were fired by a boy, between 13 and 14 years of age, who lived with the family - Intel.

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
June 26, 1822

Union, Pa., June 11

Distressing Calamity

On Wednesday last about ten miles south west of this borough, the house and household goods of Elias Parshall were completely destroyed by the explosion of 22 lbs of gun powder! The powder, it is supposed was set on fire by a child, not quite three years old, whose mangled parts were found in different directions!! Fortunately the remainder of the family were at dinner or the parent and only two more (children) were hurt, and they not seriously. This is another warning to the retailers of that articles, to use the utmost precaution is using and handling it. - Genius.

Fire!

About 11 o'clock on Friday evening last, a fire originated in the kitchen attached to the house of Mr. Quarles, innkeeper, in Columbia, Lancaster county, which consumed the tavern house of Mr. Quarles, and the dwelling house of Mr. Briggs and Mr. Gonter. It was with much difficulty and exertion that the house of Mrs. Stump was saved, the roof having been repeatedly on fire.

From the Paradise Hornet, May 10

On Wednesday night last, between the hours of 11 and 12 o'clock, the Dwelling House of Mr. Benjamin Fraim, two miles from this place, was struck by lightning which completely burst it asunder. The account which Mrs. Frain gives of it is this

"That when the lightning struck the house, it appeared as if it was on fire - she lay in bed and could not move, being nearly suffocated, until the house burst asunder, when she was immediately relieved. Mr. Frain was from home during the night. The lightning struck the chimney which stood in the centre of the house - it then separated, part going down the south side, and the remainder down the north. The barrel of a gun which was standing in the room was torn from the stock. A tin broad tray which was standing on the Stove was considerably melted; also, an iron chain and pot hooks in the chimney. The stove stood at the head of a bed where the children were lying and was partly covered with the melting drops of the bread tray. The nails in the floor were drawn out, and the apprentices who slept on the second story were thrown up in the bed.

Out of 8 windows, only 3 panes of glass were left unbroken. The lightning having left the house conveyed itself to the pump, and form thence to the stable, where it killed a fine Shoat. None of the family were injured, and when they left the house it was on fire, but happily extinguished of itself.

July 21, 1824

Lancaster, July 9

On Tuesday evening last, a very heavy gust of wind, accompanied with rain, was observed to pass a short distance north of this city. We have since heard that a tornado or whirlwind unroofed a barn near Binkley's bridge, and continued to overthrow everything that came in its way, until it reached Mr. Porter's near Soudersburg, where it done considerable damage. Houses and Barns were unrooted, and fences and tress prostrated. The following have reached us: Jacob Rohrer's barn unroofed. John Landis' (Limestone) house partly unroofed and wagon shed destroyed. Benjamin Witmer's house unroofed. James Porter, a barn and tenant house unroofed; from the latter a feather bed was carried a considerable distance, and lodged on a tree. - Journal.

Since the above was in type, we have been informed that Samuel Huston, Esq., lost the roof of his Merchant Mill, which was carried a considerable distance by the violence of the wind. - Ed. Intel.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) November 24, 1824

Lancaster, Nov. 16

Fire

On Friday evening last, a Barn and an adjoining Stable, situate in West Walnut-stree, near Queen, owned by Messrs. Montgomery and Messersmith, with their contents, were consumed by fire. There were in the barn at the time the fire broke out, about 200 bushels of grain, owned in part by Mr. Lovett. On Saturday morning a woman, suspected of being the incendiary, was taken up and lodged in prison. - Intell.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) March 30, 1825

Lancaster, March 18

Hail Storm

Yesterday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, this city was visited by a Hail Storm from the northwest, accompanied by lightning, thunder and rain. It lasted for about 15 minutes. The hail at first were small but increased in size as the storm continued. Hail stones picked up after the storm was over, measured from three and a half to four inches in circumference. Fortunately the wind, which at the commencement was pretty high, decreased considerably before the large hail began to fall, or much injury would have been done - as it was, a great deal of glass has been broken. - Jour.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 29, 1825

Lancaster, Pa., June 21

Fire

On Friday night of last week, the valuable merchant and sawmills, together with a cooper shop, and one or two adjoining buildings, owned by Mr. Jacob Eshelman, of Strasburg township, were entirely consumed by fire. There were in the merchant-mill, at the time the fire broke out, several thousand bushels of grain, and a considerable quantity of flour, the great part of which, we are informed, was destroyed. - Intelligencer.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 29, 1825

Lancaster, Pa., June 21

On Saturday night, the 11th inst., we learn, sixty-four, out of a flock of sixty-six sheep, and five or six head of horned cattle, owned by Mr. Christian Yoder, and another in Salisbury Township, were struck and killed by lightning. Several fences in the neighborhood were prostrated and a number of trees unrooted. - ib.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 29, 1825

York, Pa., June 21

The barn of Jesse Gilbert, of Lampeter township, Lancaster county, was struck by lightning at about 9 o'clock on the evening of Saturday the 11th inst.; and the owner sustained considerable loss, independently of the building. The thunder was distinctly heard and the light of the fire seen, immediately after at this place.

A similar casualty occurred last week in Monaghan township, where a barn was struck and consumed. A few dollars expended in the erection of a lightning rod would be money well laid out. It is to be regretted that superstitious notions and whimsical prejudices should prevent the adoption of this proper and effectual means of security. - Recorder.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) November 2, 1825

Lancaster, Oct. 24

A fire broke out in this city on the afternoon of Wednesday last, in the livery stable of Mr. William C. Hull. It was produced by carelessly throwing live coals in a dung heap adjoining the stable. The stable, a barn and two large brick houses fronting on West King Street, occupied by Mr. Fry, Mr. Lindy's brick house and a brick hatter's shop were all destroyed in a short time. The citizens and many people from the country (who were attending the court) made great exertions to arrest the progress of the fire and with great difficulty prevented further injury than what is above stated.

A meeting was held in the Court House on Thursday at which measures were adopted to collect money for the relief of the sufferers.

Violent Storm of 1826

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania August 16, 1826

Extract of a letter to the Editor, dated Mount Pleasant, Drumore township, Lancaster county.

"On the night of the 17th of July a violent storm of rain and hail, accompanied with the most remendous thunder and lightning that I ever witnessed, passed over this place from the west to the east. A tree was struck by the lightning and a young woman in a neighboring house was knocked down but not seriously injured. Of Esq. Wentz's team, which happened to be on the road, all the horses and the driver were knocked down; the leading horse was killed. The other four and the driver recovered but were considerably hurt. Three pigs in a pen were killed and a stable set on fire.

The barn of Mr. David Evans was struck by lightning and together with all his hay and grain entirely consumed." Lancaster Journal

John Groh Crushed to Death

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania August 16, 1826

Marietta, July 26

Melancholy

We are informed that on Monday last, Mr. John Groh, a respectable farmer residing about two miles from this borough was crushed to death by the falling of a stone arched springhouse, abut fifteen feet high which he had recently built. He, with two of the masons were in the act of taking down the false works when the arch gave way, in consequence it is supposed of the mortar not being sufficiently dry. The masons hearing the lintel above the door crack, apprehended danger and made their escape without receiving any injury. In fifteen minutes by uncommon exertion, the lifeless body of Mr. Groh, was taken from beneath the ruins. He was much bruised in the face, on the head, side and his right foot nearly cut off. The injury received on the back of his head supposed to be the cause of instantaneous death. - Pioneer.

Wm C. Hull's Horses Poisoned

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November 15, 1826

Lancaster, Nov. 4

Five horses, the property of Wm. C. Hull of this city, were taken ill on Thursday last; three of them have since died and the remaining two are considered in great danger. It is supposed they were poisoned by mixing arsenic with their feed. Mr. Hull is an exceedingly industrious honest, civil and obliging man and what could have induced anyone to commit so wicked an act in the destruction of the property, cannot be imagined. He has been very unfortunate, having lost nearly all his property by fire in the month of October last year. It is to be hoped that every exertion will be made to find out the perpetrators of this wicked act, and in the meantime Mr. Hull has a claim upon the benevolence of his fellow citizens, which we are satisfied will not be urged in vain. - Journal.

Joseph Cloud and Jacob Friday Drown in Octorara Creek

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania February 28, 1827

Lancaster, Feb. 20

Melancholy Accident

Was drowned in the mill-dam of Joseph Cloud, Jr. on Octorara creek, Lancaster county on Monday afternoon last, George Offner, youngest son of the late Dr. Samuel Offner, aged about 9 years - also Mr. Jacob Friday, aged about 36 years.

Three children, two of them sons of Mrs. Offner, George and Gundacker and Henry Cloud, son of Joseph Cloud, Sen., were returning from school and on crossing the dam the ice broke and Henry fell through. George immediately went to his assistance and also fell in. Mr. Friday was riding along the road and observing the accident, went to the assistance of the children. He succeeded in raising Henry to the surface a(?)g the floating ice, but sunk himself to rise no more. Gundacker hastened to the house and gave the alarm, by which the life of Henry was saved after being twenty minutes in the water. The bodies were found some time after. - Journal.

John Hollman Killed in Well Accident

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania April 27, 1827

Lancaster, Pa, April 6

Accidents. - On Wednesday last, several persons were engaged, in the south eastern part of this city, in walling up a well. Two were in the well, and those above were in the act of lowering a bucket full of stones, when the rope by which the bucket was suspended broke and the bucket and stones fell upon John Hollman, and killed him instantly. The other man who was in the well escaped without injury. On the afternoon of the same day, the western stage run over a boy of 8 or 9 years of age, and injured him very considerably - Journal.

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