Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1874 — The Millerstown Calamity. [ARTICLE]

The Millerstown Calamity.

The Pittsburgh (Pa,) Commorcial of April 2 gives the following account of the recent fire at Millerstown, Butler County, in that State, by which seven persons were fatally burned and about fifty business bouses and a large portion of the town were destroyed, entailing a loss of (300,000: At 1:30 o’clock Wednesday morning, April 1, a fire was discovered breaking from the basement story at the Central Hotel. J. A. Frisbee, the bartender, who happened to be sitting up with a sick friend, discovered the fire and immediately rushed through the halls to arouse the quests. There were, including servants, 100 souls in the house, and directly the corridors became the scene of the wildest dismay. Fortunately there were no lady guests registered last night or the story of horror and depth might have been immeasurably more painful to detail. The flames dritted up the wooden walls, and, quicker than it takes to tell it, spread over the entire southern side and were curling in a thousand tongues from cornice and gable. The heat had the effect to Crack all the windows on that side of the house, and admitted the flame and smoke before the most expeditious of the guests could put on their clothing. Men rushed almost naked into tbe hall, some not even taking their clothing in their arms, and, anxious to escape with their lives, tore up and down the corridors, madly seeking some outlet from the pursuing flames. The wildest horror prevailed. Shriek rose upon shriek in heart-n nding accents, all the more impressive because they came from strong men grappling with death, with the odds so terribly against all mere human power. Many on the lower hall had found their way out of the building, and the proprietor of the house, who was sick, had been borne out. For an instant it was hoped that all would escape, but again that hope was dashed by the beseeching cries for help of those who had lingered to dress, or in the excitement of toe dreadful moment were unable to undo the fastenings of their doois. To add to the horror of the situation, it was discovered that the flames had crept through the southern sleeping rooms and, following the draft along the corridor, had cut off the servants’ escape from the attic. Between prayers, and shrieks, and groans the scene was now too much for human knowing their utter inability to render aid. Many turned away from the sickening scene they found it as difficult to endure as to relieve. Some ot the girls had the courage and presence of mind to turn their drapery over their heads for protection, and rush through the sheet of flame; and thus some escaped. Others rushed back to the north side and cast themselves from the windows upon the roof of the adjoining building, whence they were rescued. Others sank bewildered in the suffocating smoke and, like some of the .guests on the floor below, yielded without a struggle to the terrible death before them. But the climax of the situation had npt been reached till Nelly McCarty, one of the dining room girls, appeared at the southern attic window ana proposed to cast herself to the ground, forty feet below. A warning cry arose from the crowd, but the poor girl would not retreat, and with a wild cry of despair she cast herself forth and fell, a’pitiftif mass of broken bones, upon toe pavement. The flames were now spreading so rapidly that every one turned to rescue his own property. Masses of sparks’ and burning shingles were falling on the roofs around. In half an hour the greater part of the town was burning, and women were rushing wildly to the fields, dragging their children after them. No waler was to be got, and no resistance was made after the first feeble effort. The scene at the Hanlon House was only a repetition of that which hardly a minute before had taken place at ths Central, which was only across a narrow street. The proprietors made every effort to alarm the guests and, from the fact that all the remains had clothing upon them, had undoubtedly succeeded in their dutv, but they were forced to ftee, apd wbeo tne flames had subaided

three human bodies were observed to be roasting in the ruins, and a like number were exposed to view upon the coals of the Central. The dead so far discovered (though almost undoubtedly a further search among the debris of the Central will discover more) are Nora Canty, dining room girl; Captain Oliver, of the Rynd Farm, guest at the Central; Butcher George, porter at the Central; Sanford Acker, guest at the Hanlon House; Philip Martin, guest at the Hanlon House; a young man un known, guest at the Hanlon House. The registers of both hotels were lost. Nelly McCarty was removed to the house of a friend, and after receiving the holy sacrament according' to the Catholic faith underwent an examination by the surgeons, who despair of her recovery, as she is injured internally. The general opinion is that the Are originated from escaping gas, but the Central Hotel people claim that it must have been the work of an incendiary. Reports of the fire were slow to be credited at Petrolia, Karns City, and other towns throughout the lower country. It being All Fools’ day, many were under the impression that it was a grand sell; but by two o’clock in the morning numerous parties who had been eye witnesses appeared, and their candor could no longer be doubted. Ere long not a horse nor wagon could be obtained, at any price, as all had been hired to visit the scene of the conflagration. Various rumors were extensively circulated regarding the loss of lives, some getting as high as fifteen and twenty, and none givmglt below what it really was;- It ifr safe to say that no excitement ever happened in Butler County calling out as many people, all anxious to render any assistance in their power. The surrounding towns could not boast of more than a corporal’s guaid, as all who could get away had gone to Millerstown. For a time the oil excitement was virtually banished, and the topic of conversation turned to the details of the conflagration. In the street offensive odors are perceptible, being blown from the ruins constantly, and it is generally supposed that the loss of life is greater than at present ascertained. The remains of seven crisp bodies have been lying in the lock-up all day, where they have been witnessed by thousands. Many turned from the horrible sight with tears in their eyes. Operators, and all parties either directly or indirectly concerned, pronounce it the most distressing scene they have ever looked upon in this country. When morning broke nearly a hundred families were seen in the fields, protecting and seeking shelter among their goods.