Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-15
S tat @ N g VS..

village, attended with the death OF two
of our young men, both estimabe citizens
and members of the Fire Department.
On Wednesday night between eleven
and twelve o'clock fire was discovered in
the Melodeon Factory, owned aud occu,
pied by Jacob Estey, for the manuiac,
'ure of his celebrated Melodeons, and
other musical instruments. The watch
man discovering the fire, instead of at
tempting to extinguish the flames, com
menced sounding the alarm with the
steam whistle attached to the Factory.
The night was extremely cold, and our
inhabitants were generally wrapped in
their early slumbers, hence the fire had
made great progress before any effort
could be initiated to extinguish it. The
building was four stories in height, and
having been kept heated night and day
by furnace and steam it was as dry as
u finder box. Added to this, il was fill
I'd from cellar TO attic with the most com
bus,ible materials. The fire commenced
in the centre of the building close to the
furnace. Under these circumstances
nothing efectual could be done 70 save
the building or any of its valuable con-
tents. Every room was soon filled with
flames and smoke, and in an incredibly
short space OF time the entire structure
wGs nothing but mass Of ruins. The
fire department was early on hand and
succeeded in saving the wood and lumber
on the adjoining grounds, and Eeazer
Farnswouh's dwelling-bouse close by,
which escaped with thorough scorch>
ing.
During the progress of the fire, in the
efforts to save Mr.. Farnsworth's house
the attention of the Hook & Ladder &c.
was directed to the barn situated between
the Factory and Mr. Farnsworth's house,
and belonging to the latter. So much OF
this structure as could be was pulled
down, and water was thrown on the burn
ing fragments to deaden the fire. While
this was being done a part of the east
wall and other portions of the Factory
fell outwards, striking VIM. L. Nichols,
Assistant Engineer on the back of his
bead, breaking bis skull near the base
his back and one leg, and, as is supposed,
killing him instantly. Granville p. Kit.
.redge engineer of No. 3 Engine Co., was
struck at the same time by timber fall
ing across his bowels, breaking the neck
OF the thigh bone and inhicting serious
internal injuries. He died Thursday af-
ternoon. One or two other persons were
Mr.. Kittredge made an out
cry upon being wounded, and he was re-
moved Immediately to his boarding house,
where be received the best medical care
and attention, but Mr.. Nichols was not
missed owing to the excitement Of the
hour, and bis body was not discovered
until eight o'clock Thursday morning
There can be no doubt that his death was
instantaneous. lie was one of the most
estimable and worthy citizens of Brattle-
boro. For several years he had been Il
leading member Of the Episcopal Church
in this village, and for the last four year,
the beloved Master Of Columbian Lodge
+. & A. NJ. His age was about thirty
four years. He leaves a widow and four
young children. Mr.. Kittredge came to
this town from Greenfield, Mass, a few
years since, and was in the employ Of
Pratt Wright & Co., as cutter. lie was
a worthy aud exemplary young man, and
was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
He leaves no family. His age was about
thirty years. Both these men received
their death wounds while in the active
discharge of their official duties. Their
death in manner and under circumstan-
ccs so distressing, has cast deep gloom
over this whole community. The be-
reaved family Of MIR. Nichols will receive
the hearty sympaJhias of every one OF
the numerous brethren, friends and neigh
bors who so deeply mourn their loss in
this sadly affective bereavement.
BY this disastrous fire, Mr.. Jacob Es-
tcy has for the second time lost consid-
cradle portion of the property he had
accumulated by his industry, enterprise
and sagacity. His loss on the machinery
and building is estimated at $4,000, and
on stock, tools and instruments, $4,000
making in all $4,000, on which there
was an insurance to the amount of S25-
90 in the Vermont Mutual. His books
accounts and valuable papers were saved
in legible condition, as the safe contain
ing them was removed before falling into
the cellar.
The basement was occupied by Smith
& Coffin as a planning mill, &c. Some