The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-31
The Great Fire at vergennes.

The Vergennes Vermontcr, gives the par
ticulars ofthc destructive fire in the city OF
Yergennes which occurred on the Goth inst.
1t says:
1t becomes our melancholy task to record
the particulars of conhagration, more disas-
trous in its results, than any which our city
has ever before experienced.
At about half past 2 o'clock yesterday morn
ing a column of flame was discovered issrl-
ing from the I'd story of the new stone Store,
occupied by the Messrs b. & ID. c. Hol-
combs, which was one Of the block of build
ings, known as 'Whitc's Block In n few
moments our citizens were on the ground en-
masse; but unfortunately, only TO be witness
es of the quick destruction of n vast amount
property;--tor owing TO the scarcity of wa
ter, the disadvantages attending the procuring
of engines, and the unfitness of the engines
for rendering efficient service-their efforts
were comparatively of little avail. 1t was at
once evident TO all that the entire block, with
the small buildings adjoining were destined
TO perish. BY prompt etfort,part of the stock
of goods owned by DIR. l.. Huntington was
removed and the small buildings being clear
ed, it became the tiresome and painful task
of the assembled multitude, to stand mute
witnesses of the fearful havoc ofthe devour-
ing flames, without being able to render the
least service to the sufferers.
The Messrs. Holcomb's were all sleeping
in the third story of their store at the time,
and were awakened by the smoke and the
roaring of the flames, near them. MIR b.
Holcomb who awoke first rushed through
the flames and gained the street, without saw
ing an article of clothing, and with the con-
viction that his partners would perish in the
flames. One ofthem attempted to follow
him but was driven back by the flames
when running to the door for the purpose of
throwing himself out, he discovered the tack
lie rope, and let himself down by means oft
His companion followed his example, and
alighted on the ground, with the flesh torn
from his hands and being somewhat burned.
So precipitate was their retreat that scarce
an article of clothing was saved, and some
t,ceiUe thousand dollars in cash, which had
been taken from the Bank the evening previ-
Gus, which remained in the counting room
below, and with which one of the firm was
expecting to start for Boston on the morning
of the calamity-was consumed.
This firm was the heaviest establishment
i'm our city, and when the flames glared up-
on and lit up for moment to the view of the
beholder the rich and elegant stock of goods
with which the shelves were densely crowd
ed, a tremor ran through the multitude, and
many man, thought for moment of the
long talked-of organization of an efficient
Fire Company.
In short time the walls of the building
fell upon the roof of the adjoining building,
occupied by Mr. ID. G. Rollin, as Boot and
Shoe Store, crushing it; and the Stone Build
ing on the corner, in which was the Store of
DIR. Huntington, the Law Office OFF, C. Tuck
err, Esq, the p. Office, and the Office of the
Town Clerk was enveloped in flames. The
Post Office was cleared together with the
Town Clerks Office; but not an article cONh
be moved from the Office ofMr Tucker, He
lost every thing it CONFERENCE.-The law library
his account books,--and innumerahle pa
pers and documents which had heeu COLLECT
ing during practice of over 81 years. A
loss which only lawyers can appreciate. A
part ofthe stock ofgoods of f, Huntington,