Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-21
Chester.

Chester.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-Two STORES, MEAT
MARKET, PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY AND
A DwELLING-HoUsE DESTROYED.
On Tuesday night of last week at
about 10 o'clock, fire was discovered
in the rear part ofthe building known
as the Variety Store, on Main street,
and occupied by Charles A. Howard,
grocer Mrs Pember, photograph
saloon, and V. J. Wood, meat and
produce. The building and stocks
were entirely destroyed. The large
frame building owned by E. B. Lee
was next to 60 Mr.. Lees family
occupied part of the building and a
part was finished off for a store which
was occupied by Z. B. Lee & Co.,
dry goods. Most of the furniture,
stock and fixtures were saved. Miller
& Hadley, dealers in stoves and tin
ware, were damaged in stock and store
about $500 worth, and it was only
through the valor and superhuman
exertion Of Yosemite Fire Company
that this fine store was left standing.
Miller & Hadley's loss fully covered by
insurance. c. o. Locke, owner of the
Variety Store, was insured, probably,
for half its value. G. A. Howard had
a policy for $50Q-loss about $780,
Mrs. Pember was full covered. V. j.
Wood lost about $3OO-no insurance.
Z. B. Lee was insured on building
$25O0-loss about $4,000. Our citi-
zens, generally, express much sympathy
for Mr.. Lee, whose loss is of peculiar
severity, rendering homeless his some
what large family, and destroying his
beautiful store, recently fitted up at a
heavy expense. As to the origin Of
the fire, foul play is broadly hinted.-
We have no opinion to express. As
is too often the case, ''foul play talk
ers make utterances through foul
mouths. We understand the Insur-
ance Agent, Hugh Henry, Esq, who
insured most, if not all the sufferers,
telegraphed at once to the adjustors,
who promptly responded and paid
every dollar of insurance-except in
one instance, where the property will
have to be inventoried before settle
ment can he effected-the second day
after the fire an instance. of prompt.
ness and fair dealing seldom presented
in the annals ofinsurance transactions.
We should not do our duty did we
not award special praise to the "Yose-
mite" Fire Company. The petty
chickering's and jealousies growing out
of the fire engine question, as to Dis
trict boundaries, proper location for
engine, appropriations, ETC., for year
Or more past, had ripened into feel
ing akin to social ostracism between
the two parties represented by North
Chester alias Granite Pit, and South
Chester alias Sleepy Hollow. Much
cloud contending noise" had been
made at numerous fire meetings, but
no arrangement could be effected
whereby fire apparatus might "serve
two masters" At last the &c. P.'s'
maped out Fire District, purchased
an Engine, and organized a company,
and that company did its first duty for
"Sleepy Hollow" Tuesday night. II
did that duty exceedingly well, and
with great cheerfulness, and we would
not much blame the gallant boys il
they should hope for frequent oppor
tunities of the kind to show their good
will toward the "Sleepy Hollowites.
Voters a Town Meeting is called fol
Saturday next. The warrant says, in
tones of coarse thunder, BE THERE
An appropriation of $500 for a Fire
Engine is one of the items for you tc
mediate over. You have at last been
purified by fire !" Now 60 for {
syringe, if nothing better, or may yor
burn to the last chip in your door
yards, note that will you, poor ole
grandmother, "Sleepy Hollow
Working parties and Others are in
debted to the proprietor Of the Ingra
ham House for a barrel or two of no
coffee-pure government Java-serv
ed by ladies whose "eyes spake again.
Your correspondent thanks the citizen
generally for kindly relieving him a
the brakes before he got chile,