Newspaper Data for Jefferson County, WV

Newspaper Data for Jefferson County, WV

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), May 19 1824
Fire At Harper’s Ferry
Extract of a letter, dated Harper’s Ferry, May 8
A dreadful calamity happened at this place, this morning, before day. The work-shop which contains a principal part of the machinery, and in which upwards of two hundred workmen were employed, was entirely consumed by fire. The building was about 150 feet long, by 50 wide. It will be a loss to the United States of from 30 to 31,000 and to the workers in (…?...) in consequence of being thrown out of work. Seven hundred finished muskets, besides an immense quantity of materials, were entirely destroyed. “There happened to be but little wind stirring at the time; had it been otherwise, the whole of the place must inevitably have been destroyed. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.” Balt. Pat.
[Submitted by Nancy Piper]