Martinsburg Gazette

THE GAZETTE
MARTINSBURG, VA.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1842.

FIRE!

It is our unpleasant duty to record a second severe loss which our town has sustained the present season, in the destruction by fire, of the Globe Tavern. On Tuesday morning last, about half past 1 o'clock, our citizens were awakened by the cry of fire, which was found to proceed from the roof of Mr. Kroesen's hotel. Almost immediately after the fire was discovered, the greater part of the roof was wrapped in flames, which spread very rapidly, owing to the combustible nature of the building—Fortunately, the night was clear and calm, for had a wind been prevailing in any direction a number of the finest dwellings in town must have been destroyed. By great exertions of our citizens and firemen, two contiguous buildings, the Drug store of Mr. Dorsey and the dwelling of Mr. Doll, were saved, though both were in imminent danger for a long time, and Mr. Doll's considerably injured.

We are glad to state that a great part of Mr. Kroesen's furniture was saved. He was insured for $4,000, which will go far towards repairing his loss. How the fire originated is not known. The place in which the fire undoubtedly commenced, in the garret, induced the supposition that it was the work of an incendiary, though it was probably an accident.

The Globe was one of the oldest hotels in town, and one of the best kept establishments in the Union. When we saw the fine large building which stood there the day before, a heap of smouldering ruins, and the sign left unscathed by the flames, standing solitary and alone, we could not help expressing the hope that the time would not be distant when the Globe would rise from its ashes, and again grace the public square of our town, as it has heretofore done, both as a handsome building and a fine hotel. The liveliest sympathies of our citizens are excited in behalf of Mr. Kroesen, as this is the second heavy loss he has sustained, he having suffered a similar misfortune, some years since, in the destruction by fire, of a stable and some valuable horses.

The most indefatigable exertions were made by the fire company and citizens generally, the ladies particularly, for the preservation of all property that was exposed to danger.