Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-01
Fire at WTight'S Mills.

Fire at WrightS Mills.
A destructive fire on Thursday last entire
" destroyed the Wooden Factory at Nright's
Mil, owned by VIM. Moorcroft, and consid-
erably damaged the stock of wool, flannels,
etc, which Mr. Moorcroft working up
for Messrs l. w Brown Of this village and
Mr.. Howarth of Boston. The factory build
ing and machinery were valued at $25 900,
and the insurance thereon amounted to only
g. ,5OO-S3 800 in the Vermont Mutual, and
IS 900 In the Etna Insurance Company.
Messrs. Brown and Howarth were insured
for IS 900 on wool and iannels IN the iacto-
~. which will more than cover their loss,
although much damage was done to the wool
by rather free mixing up of varieties and
considerable quantities were burned or rem
dered worthless They had also $1,000 in
surance on the stock in their store near the
factory, and which at one time was IN such
danger Of being consumed that all the wool
was removed from it, This building, how
ever. escaped the devouring element, and the
loss is more than covered by the insurance.
The fire was first discovered about O'Clock
in the afternoon, and in less than an hours
time the building was burned to the ground.
Word was at once sent to this village for
help, and two Of our engine companies and
the hook and ladder company were soon on
the ground, but in time emily to aid in saving
the surrounding buildings. Had the wind
been strongly in the south, the conhagratIon
would have extended to the store-house,
which was saved, as well as the buildings
around and occupied by Messrs. Wright as
rrist and saw mill, and machine shop and
foundry. for the manufacture Of planners and
matching machines But fortunately the
little village of Wright's Mills was spared
the infection of this latter calamity and
although they have suffered severely in their
business prospects, all is not lost while the
Messrs Wrights Mills and Mandatory re-
main, and those gentlemen remain to manage
them.
The origin Of the fire is not satisfactorily
accounted for. 1t was first discovered in the
wool box situated in the third story. This
box had Just been filled with the mixed wool
and cotton from the room above, and boy
was feeding the carder from the material in
the box The flames Immediately flashed
over the cards and run up the machines 10
the room overhead, where fresh stock was
being prepared, and in an incredibly short
time ingress to or egress from these rooms
was completely cut off In the room where
the fire first appeared five men and three
bows were at work, and three of the men
barely escaped with their lives. Mr.. Griffin
the boss carder was severely burned, but has
50 far recovered as To be able to return to
his home in Hinesburgh. \ Mr.. Andrews, an
old gentleman and veteran spinner, was so
badly burned that his recovery is doubtful.
He had worked in the mill a long time, had
his room therein in which were his clothing,
his notes, paperF, etc, and some $1,000 IN
L. S. bonds These were all consumed.
Mr. Smith was also SO fearfully scorched that
he is vet confined to his house. The girls
tending the spinning jacks had only time to
escape without stopping for shawls OF bon
nets.
In the fourth or attic story, used for pick
ing over and drying wool and fsnnels, Mr.
Coffey was working. and suddenly found his
egress by either stairway cut off by the fiery
flames. He made his way to an end window
and cried Justify for help. A ladder was
raised and held up far as possible toward
him. and down that the man succeeded IN
scrambling Just as the black smoke shot out
of that window, and the fire iend Tapped its
red tongue in madness at the loss OF its in :
tended victim. There were other narrow
escapes, and noticeable incidents, but these
will suffice to give the reader some idea Of
the rapidity with which the flames spread
and the thorough work Of destruction they
accomplished.
Some further notes Of the fire and reflections
upon the misfortuncs it brings to that little
village Of Wright's Mills, as we'll as our OWL
town, are unavoidably crowded out. 1t is a
sad business calamity, and just now we fail
to discover any = silver lining to the dark
cloud it casts over those most Immediately
interested.