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Fire Destroys Historic Mansion.
Historic Mansion Destroyed by Fire of Mysterious Origin
The large stone dwelling on what is generally know as the "Camm Farm," in Northampton township, (two miles and a half southwest of Newtown, was burned down Wednesday afternoon, or so much of it as could be burned, and now nothing but the massive walls of the historic structure remain. The farm is tenanted by H. M. Shaefer, a Bedford countian who settled in Northampton a few years ago. That afternoon he and one of his sons had gone to John M. Hennessy's sale, north of Newtown, and two other sons were working in the woods some distance from the buildings. Between 2:30 and 3:00 o'clock Mrs. Shaefer was out attending to some chickens, when she discovered smoke issuing from under the eaves of the west end of the house, which had not been occupied for some years. There being no men about, Mrs. Shaefer tried to call for help over the telephone, but this instrument was found to be out of order. The fire, however, soon attracted neighbors, who hurried to lend their assistance. Among the first to arrive on the scene were Charles B. Crosson, John Abrams and Henry Jamison. While some helped the women of the family in carrying out their household effects, others organized a bucket brigade and made an effort to extinguish the flames. The progress made was too great, however, for the fire to yield to the brigade's efforts, and their undertaking had to be abandoned. Charles King and other neighbors arrived later and also rendered what assistance they could. The fire burned slowly and it was near 5 o'clock before the floors fell in. It is said that every bit of ignitible material about the house was burned. At one time a spark ignited the roof of a shed attached to the barn, but this litlle blaze was promptly extinguished by a boy who ascended to the roof and threw snow on it. The goods which had been removed from the burning house were later carried to and stored in the wagon house. About all the contents were saved.
The origin of this fire, which destroyed one of the landmarks of lower Bucks county, is involved in deep mystery, which will probably never be cleared up. It doubtless started in the garret of the west end of the building. That part of the house was empty and there had been no fire in it for a long time.
Source:
Bucks County Historical Society
Spruance Library
84 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
The Collection of the Joseph Beatty Family
Mss 445
Folder 5
Undated Newspaper clipping, no source given.
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