About 8 o’clock Sunday evening was visited by the most destructive conflagration ever known in the history of this town. The wind was blowing a fearful gale from the south, which had prevailed during most of the day. The fire commenced in a stable belonging to C.M. Baker, on Black Horse Alley, and owing the violence of the wind, spread with great rapidity, and in a few minutes became uncontrollable. A number of the small frame buildings in the immediate vicinity were soon wrapped in a solid sheet of flame which surged right and left devouring everything in its progress.

All the buildings in the block between Mulberry and Third Street, up the alley separating the post office and Doebler’s Hall, were soon involved in one general conflagration, the following buildings were among those consumed:

Waverly House, owned by William Crawford and occupied by Capt. D. B. Else.

Brick house and store owned by Phillip Moltz.

Brick building owned by William Faries and occupied by Robert Faries.

Doebler’s Hall, a three-story brick building, the basement rooms occupied by Harrington’s Ice Cream and confectionary establishment.

The fine residence of the late Governor William Packer, and occupied by his widow on the corner of Third and Mulberry Street was completely destroyed. Very little furniture was saved. The library of the Governor was a fine one, embracing many rare and valuable books, was entirely consumed.

The fine M.E. Church on Mulberry Street too was next in order. It was a large brick building costing about $30,000. The spire was the tallest in the city.

Six sections of hose from the Washington Hose Company burst in rapid succession as the fire company was at work on Doebler’s Hall. They did all they could however, working with wonderful energy and braving the most frightful dangers.

At one time the dense volume of flames as they rolled over the buildings, licking them up like a fiery serpent, calculated to appall the most stout heart.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.