Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-02
NEWS FORTY THREE YEARS OLD.
To tbs Editor of the Kennebec Journal:


/ wrote and published in my newspaper at the
I time, announcing the burning of the Kenne-
/ bee Fridge in April, 1927 is deserved, never
theless, in compliance with your request, and
for the sake of that class of your readers who
like as wen to hear of events that took place
'.long, long ago." as those of yesterday,
have copied it from the Christian lnfeh-
gencer of April 6, 1927, and hereby commit
il to your discretion. The scene here de-
scribed is not as vivid as that contained in the
description which was afterwards given OF the
Burning of the Insane Hospital.
The Kennebec Bridge was burned April 2,
1927, and in SIXTY days thereafter, the present
indcstructible Bridge was completed and
passable Yours, WILLIAM A DREW.
BrRNrNG OF KENNEBEC BRIDGE.
On Monday night last, whilst the streets
were silent and the villagers locked in sleep
the people of Augusta were alarmed by the
Simultaneous peal of bells and the loud cries
of FIRE FIRE." 1t proved TO be in KEN
NgBEc BRIDGE, which, as many of our eaders
know, was heavily framed and closely cover
! cd above the flooring, resembling externally
! a large Ropewalk The fire was first diseov-
! cred in a closet or locker about midway OF
| the Bridge which was used for the deposit of
! tools, rigging, &C., necessary for workmen IN
case of repairs. At the time of discovery, It
had made but little progress, but suddenly, as
| if reaching a train of oil or turpentlne that
had been spilled the whole length of the
Bridge. the flames spread in a moment both
ways. pouring out with violence at the oppo-
site ends and bursting, as ifby cannon blasts,
through different parts of the tight roof.
On either side of the river, at both ends of
the Bridge there is cluster of wooden build
ings. consisting principally of stores. No
sooner had the fire commanded the wh0fe
Bridge, than the flames brought terror and
destruction into the opposite villages. In
few moments, large store owned by Elias
Craig, Esq, and occupied by the Messrs.
Jones on the western side. and building I'M
proved as dwelling house by Mr.. Alex Kin
caid the toll gatherer, ON the eastern side,
were wrapped in the destructive element.
Then it was that spectacle was presented to
us as sublime as it was lamentabe. Let the
reader, if he be not acquainted in Augusta,
picture to himself building of four hundred
and fifty feet in length, extending across
deep river, whose midnight waters are illumi-
mated by the maddening flashes OF flame re-
fected from their dark surface. connecting at
both ends two compact and beautiful villages;
one on each side of the river, now abandoned
to the devouring element. and belching forth
tall spires of flame amidst the solemn dark
ness of midnight. We had been present at
fires before, but never did we behold such
profound sublimity, such terrible grandeur
as at that moment. Our position, fortunate
ly, was a happy one for witnessing the scene;
it was in rear of the South Parish congrega-
tional meeting house, whose elevated grounds
ell .t,Ix. tl,N
river and villages and of all the operations
designed to prevent the further ravagcs OF
the flames
Fortunately the air was calm, there being
but little wind in circulation; but this circum-
stance, whilst it proved highly favorable for
the operations of the engines and hremen,
served to increase the grandeur of the scene
during the solemn stiffness that prevailed
around. The flames appeared to pierce the
skies, and the dense columns of smoke that
! arose from the well earned fruits of public
enterprise and private industry, resolved
themselves into moving clouds above like
chariots of destroying angels. The repeated
peals of the alarm bells, the shrieks Of women
and the cries of children expecting the newt
able destruction of their houses, the running
of citizens, the scattered condition of mer-
chandise and household goods-all cOnspired
to render the scene one of melancholy inter-
est.
In but a little more than half an hour from
the time the alarm was given, the Bridge,
with its now naked but yet burning frame
that covered it, fell into the waters beneath.
1t fell in two divisions the eastern arch first
giving way, and the western following it in
about fifteen minutes The crash and kissing
as the red fire met the dark waters, were
startling. The two divisions moved with the
current down the river, each in compact
form, and every timber in the framework ele-
waited above the water was all aglow with red
flame, threatening destruction to wharves and
other property on the shores below. One OF
these moving bodies of fire was stopped at
Hallowell, but the other passed defantly the
village of Gardiner, six miles below, about
three o'clock in the morning This fearful
spectacle gave the first information which our
neighbors received of the trouble at Augusta.
In the mean time the large concourse of peo-
pie that had gathered at the seat of the calam-
ity, were actively engaged to preserve if
possible the buildings and other property con-
tiguous to those already given up. The Au-
gusta fire engine was upon the western side {;
| and as all communication between the OPP
posite village was destroyed by the burning
| bridge, those on the eastern side, where were
| fewest people, and hence greater need of arti-
! fetal assistance, had TO depend upon their
personal efforts alone. With cheerful read
/ mess that characteriZes the female sex in
sons of actual danger, the ladies on that side
! joined the lines of bucket-passers, and rem
dered much valuable assistance. BY the
/ spirited exertions of the citizens, the other
buildings exposed to the fire were happily
saved, though several were more or less
damaged. The large store of Mr.. Lawson on
the eastern side, and the store owned by the
Misses Crommett, the inside of which was
burnt out last winter, and had been recently
repaired; another occupied by Daniel Stone,
Esq, and the dwelling house owned by Judge
Bridge and occupied by Mr.. Robinson,-all
on the western side, were frequently on fire
the last two of which were badly injured.
The citizens of Halloweli with two engines
arrived soon after the Bridge fell, and rem
dcred important assistance in checking fur
Their progress of the flames.
greater destruction of property by fire at
any one time, it is believed, never before oc-
CURED on this river. The loss we have not
heard estimated with precision, but it is gener-
ally stated to be not much short of twenty
thousand dollars. The Bridge was entirely
destroyed-all of course, but the stone pier
and abutments. The goods in the store of the