Gettysburg Compiler
(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 17 1822 Hagerstown, (Maryland) April 4
Fire
The Torch Light Burnt Out!
On Monday afternoon last, our citizens were alarmed by the cry of Fire!
which was discovered to proceed from the shop of Mr. Shank, cabinet-maker, near the corner of the public square.
In a few minutes the shop was enveloped in flames, which communicated to the adjoining, three story brick building,
occupied as the Torch Light Office, and from that to the large stone house on the corner of the square. There the
flames were providentially arrested by the vigorous exertions of the fire company and citizens of the town and
county; many of the latter being called to town on court business. The stone building was not materially damaged;
the brick one was considerably injured. Most of the types and other articles belonging to the Torch Light office,
were preserved, though somewhat injured and confused. A large edition of a work in sheets, which had just been
completed, was nearly destroyed by being thrown into the street from the third story windows of the stone house.
Messrs. J.& W. Robertson and George I. Harry, sustained some loss by the removal of their stores. The loss
which Col. Lewis, the proprietor of the houses, has experienced, is considerable; and Mr. Shank, we are told, has
lost all his cabinet making tools. When the fire broke out the wind blew furiously from North West, and carried
sheets of flame and pieces of burning timber to a considerable distance.
At one period, we are told, several roofs in the neighborhood were on fire.
Some idea may be formed of the alarming prospect, from the fact, that the roofs of Mr. David Barr’s currying shop,
bark house and stable, distant about 100 or 150 yards from the conflagration, were all on fire at the same time.
Indeed, taking into estimate the various alarming circumstances which attended the progress of the fire, the providential
preservation of the adjoining property and principal part of our town, must appear manifest.
Much credit is due to the Ladies who turned out and assisted in the lines,
and in the preservation of property. Their example was animating, and their exertion efficacious. Nor can too much
praise be awarded to the few enterprising individuals who broke through the roof of the stone-house, and at the
hazared of their lives, succeeded in checking the flames, which had taken hold on it. – Torch Light.
Transcribed and submitted by: Nancy Piper
Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 16 1822 - Page 2
Hagerstown, Jan. 8
Fire – The large Barn belonging to Mr. Jacob Mumma, near Sharpsburg,
in this county, was burnt to the ground early on Wednesday morning last. We understand that with the barn were
consumed a large flock of sheep, several horses, cows and fat cattele, two gigs, a variety of farming utensils
and gears, about one thousand bushels of wheat in the straw, a quantity of barreled floru, hay & C. Mr. Mumma's
loss is variously estimated from four to eight thousand dollars! It is supposed the fire was intentionally communicated
to the barn; which was perhaps the largest in the county, being, as has been represented to us, about 200 feet
long. – Torch Light. [Donated by Nancy Piper]
