The Lambertville Press

Destructive Conflagration.

The ancient and usually quiet Borough of New Hope, Pa., was thrown into a great state of excitement on Saturday morning by the alarming cry of fire, which resulted in the total destruction of the Boat Building Establishment of Messrs. Samuel Solliday & Co., situated at the upper lock, along the canal.

The fire was discovered about ten o'clock, and originated by the sparks from the stove in a small office, in the building. A considerable quantity of oakum was lying about the stove, the spark from which ignited the oakum, and in a few minutes, the contents being dry, and of an inflammable nature the whole building was in a blaze, the flames seen coming through the roof.

The Fire Engine was soon upon the spot, and, although greatly superior to the "Globe" Engine of our city, was not sufficient to save the building, as the flames had made considerable headway before its arrival. The Engine, however, rendered efficient service in preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings, and to the canal boats, and large quantities of lumber lying near by.

At the time the fire broke out, in the building there was one new canal boat just completed, another nearly so and the stuff dressed out for a third, together with a large stock of oils, paints, and material used in the business, all of which were consumed.

The loss of Messrs. Solliday & Co., is $2,500, for which there is an insurance of $2,000 in the Hunterdon County Mutual Insurance Company, of this city.

The building, which was of brick, was owned by Mr. Edward Pickett, whose loss is about $2,500, not insured, the policy having recently expired.

We have not learned whether or not it is the intention of Mr. Pickett to re-erect the building, but we were informed by Mr. Solliday that the business would be continued. No accidents happened, nor anything of further special interest. About the time the fire was extinguished, a difficulty arose between some two or three persons, probably from the too frequent indulgence in whiskey, of which there was a liberal supply, which resulted in a fight, neither of the combatants receiving further injury than a few blows on the "conk," and bloody noses.

We would state for the benefit of those who are not insured, or those who are in the habit of neglecting to have their insurance policies renewed at the proper time, that Messrs. Solliday & Co., had only been insured since the 3d of January, 1861, and that the insurance policy of Mr. Pickett had recently expired and not been renewed.

Quite a large number of persons from this city crossed the Bridge and rendered all the assistance possible; they did not take the "Globe" with them, probably from the fact that they were fully aware the "machine" was useless. One of our prominent citizens remarked in our hearing a few days since, that "there was no doubt after we had a fire here that would destroy half the town, our citizens would wake up on the subject of having a new fire engine, and an efficient Fire Company." We concluded the gentleman was "right in his mind."