Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-07-31

"iu " Sioch, tnul ana ". II. Woods
Block, which includes the Bellows Falls
Hotel, were totally destroyed. The night
was very still and the buildings did not
burn very rapidly, otherwise the confla-
grafton would very likely have extended
to both sides of Canal Street and swept
away Dewey's, formerly Geo. Browns
Grocery, Wightman's Hall, Alvah
Pierce's House and Harris Block. As
1t is, Mr.. Pierce's premises are but slight
ly damaged, portion of which is part
of his garden.
DIR. o, F, Woods is the heaviest loser,
and it is also the third time he has been
burnt out in this place in the last ten
years. His loss on building is some ST.
600, or more. Loss on goods in his Drug
Store and furniture in the hotel not vet
known. Most of his goods were saved,
but OF course more or less damaged. He
was insured $4,000 on the building and
$4,000 on goods and furniture in the ho-
tel. His insurance was in the Home.
New Haven; Security, New York, and
$1,000 on furniture in the Connecticut
River Mutual of this place. DR.. Woods
was doing large business in his hotel
and drug store, which is thus suddenly
closed up, and is thus an injury to our
village as well as to himself in the loss
Of so much business and public house.
S. II. Guild, merchant tailor, and Geo.
0. Guild, dry goods store, removed most
Of their goods, and it is hoped that, be-
yond the inconvenience to which they
are now subjected in their business, that
a few hundred dollars each will cover
their loss which is fully insured.
Kings block was valued at $1,000 In
sured in the Homo, New Haven, for
$4,000.
c. b. Eddy, attorney-at-law, lost por-
ton of his law library on which there
was no insurance. He also lost many
valuable papers, but we believe saved
those relating to Judge of Probate office.
j. w. F. Blanchard, Photograph Ar
fist, who occupied rooms in Kings block,
thinks he has saved about one-third of
his goods and apparatus, and estimates
his loss at $500. He supposed he was
insured but most unfortunately it does
not prove to be so.
The Office of Frost, Derby 81 Co., man
ufaeturers of scythe-snaths was also in
Kings building. Their loss will not
probably exceed $40.
King Solomon's Lodge lose considera-
bly, by this fire. Their hall was in the
third story of Kings block, and was
among the best fitted and furnished in
the State. We believe they had an in
surance Of $500.
J. G. Goodwin & Co. estimate their
loss at $1,000 on building and some ST.
500 on stock and goods. They were in
sured on building for 800 in the Home,
New Haven, and on Contents $780,, in the
Phoenix Co., Hartford.
The Photograph saloon of ?. w. Taft,
located near the harness shop was dam
aged some, but being mounted on wheels
was soon drawn out of danger. He had
built some additions to it not so nova
bic, which are nearly a total loss. We
believe he saved his fixtures and appara-
, tus.
This is the most disastrous fire which
has occurred here since the memorable
morning of March IA, 1860, and it leaves
the burnt district just about as it stood
then, except o. d. Gray's block and the
store now occupied by N. H. Farr & Co.
A large amount of business was done in
the two blocks destroyed, which at the
: best will take long time to restore. Tho
buildings were comparatively new
having been built in 1862, and were the
best wood blocks in the Square.
As usual on occasions of fires in thi
: place there was much scolding, not t
: draw it any stronger, in getting suti
: Gent number of men to work the engine
as will always be the case where there Is
4 no properly organized fire company
Many of our citizens however did gooC
: service, but the majority apparently pre-
!, ferred to look on.
. The origin of the fire is matter o
speculation. 1t appears to be prett,
well settled that it started in the uppe
, part or chamber of the harness shop. Il
this building there had been no fire sine
last May. In the chamber there was
small pile of rags and paper, and we b
lieve some painting had recently beel
done there. 1t is quite possible tina
spontaneous combustion arose from TIN
pile of rags, but the east end window wa
up, and the more generally receives
opinion is that fire took from sparks iron
!. passing engine, being near the tract
~ ..aI