Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-09-10
Disastrous Fire in East Calais.

DISASTROUS Fire IN East Cal0lS.
The little village Of East Calais-known
in local parlance as +" Moscow was on
Friday night last, visited with most des-
tructive FIRE, and in two hours time the
devouring elements had swept away the
larger portion of the buildings and business
of the place. The loss to the village is larger
relatively than was caused by the great fires
that devastated Chicago and Boston.
The Inhabitants were aroused from quiet
slumbers at about the hour of midnight by
the alarm of fire, and on rushing to the doors
flames were discovered bursting out in the
basement of the tin and hardware store of
Wing & Rideout. In an instant almost the
fire had reached the first floor ON which was
the firms manufacturing and sales rooms,
and 80 rapid was its progress upward that the
two families living in the second story had
barely time to escape with their lives, leaving
1t was at once seen that any efforts to save
this building or its contents would be worse
than useless, and as strong northerly wind
was prevailing, attention was at once turned
to the barn of P. F. Wbitcher, situated just
south of the burning building. In moment
more the fire caught in this barn, and after
a short struggle the red tongue of flame bad
licked it up. From thence it was easy to
reach the boot and shoe store owned by d.
B. Fay, which soon succumbed to the devcur-
ing elements despite all efforts to save it.
While the fire was raging here Intellectual
attempts were made to blow up portion of
the building in hopes of arresting the further
progress of the fire. Next in the way south
ward was the hotel barn owned by Phineas
Wheeler, Esq, which soon went down before
the flames, and was speedily followed by the
hotel itself, forming one grand pyramid OF
flame. In the rear of the hotel, and next to
the river were A. N. Goodell's sash and blind
shop and small store house, which also
were swept away in the general conaagration.
Still further on was the dwelling house of
q. G. Pierce, which was several times on fire.
but by the most strenuous exertions and a
| fortunate change in the wind was saved from
destruction. At one time it seemed impossi-
BILE to check the flames from spreading across
the street and there catching in the store and
buildings occupied by the Dwinell Brothers
or the dwelling house of D. B. Fay. Had
either of these buildings been burned nothing
could have saved the entire business portion
of the village and the dwellings south from
destruction. 1t was lively times for those
seeking to save their property, or render
assistance in arresting the further progress OF
the flames. The fire was continually catching
at different points. At one time the church
would be on fire, then shed, or dwelling
and so on everywhere in the vicinity. There
was no respite from watching and working
for the two hours the flames ragged the hottest
Men, women and children worked with 6
will and purpose to save all that was pos
sible. A valued correspondent, to whom we
are indebted for most of the foregoing de-
scripton ,,says that for what East Calais has
left her citizens are indebted to their friend.
and neighbors from the village and hill,
surrounding them. and that In this grateful
mention the women and children who con-
tributed large share OF assistance will come
in for goodly portion of pleasant remem
branee. Although the loss is very large FOL
SO small place, the villagers of " Moscow
never say ''die," while there is hope, anC
they will 60 about repairing their losses Al
pluckily as did the people of Chicago.
The lowest estimate of propert y burned il
SIS 900, and the insurance covers $6,463
The insurance, which is all held in tn,
Vermont Mutual we believe, is divided VI
as follows: Wing & Rideout, on store, shoI
goods, tools, furniture, &c, $3.50; P
Wheeler on hotel, barns, furniture, contents
&c, $3.50; A N. Goodell, on factory
machinery, &C., 1922, and on his store hous
and contents $50; P. F. Whitcher. on barn
$66. Mr.. Fay is reported to have had n
insurance.