The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-16
DISASTROUS FIRE IN WHITEHALL
LOSS, $4,000, INSURANCE, $4,000
The Baptist Church and Two DWELL
ings DcstrOycd-Twclv Families
Rendered Homeless.

iViiOhih, uNNOullt VI hhlNh 10 SiNNi III INV
extra published next morning by tho White
hall Chronicle
1t is our painful province, this morning.
to record the story Of the destruction
wrought by the fiery element in this place
This community enjoys, occasionally, a
relief from fires, which Is succeeded by
the occurrence of several in quick success
sion, doing immense injury to property
and paralyzing all ambition to invest money
in building up our village. There had been
an interval Of over year between the last
fire of any amount and that which destroy
cd the door factory last week; and men
said on the morning after that event, we
should catch it soon again. The prediction
was sadly fulfilled, for at midnight on Fri
day night, the shrill, sharp cry of fire was
resounding in our streets. 1t was but a
short time before it was taken up by scores
of voices, and the loud shouts of men
rushing in wild haste to the scene, were in
severe contrast with the profound stiffness
and quiet of midnight.
The fire broke out in the Baptist church,
in the rear where 1t is joined by the tene-
mcnt house on the east. 1t had gained con-
siderable Roadway when first discovered,
the whole east end from floor to roof being
in blaze. The flames spread with almost
inconceivable rapidity, and within five
minutes from the first alarm they had burst
through the roof, cnveloping the whole of
it, even the tower The large brick tene-
ment house on the east was also on fire
south The scene when the flames were at
their height was of impressive grandeur
There was no wind and the fire ragged with
out disturbance from its currents. The
interior of the church not being broken by
partitions, was brilliant mass of blaze.
and the flames, streaming far above the
tower, made a sort of fiery pillar. which
the Imagination of believers likes to pic
turc at the head of the hosts Of Israel
Away down Division street. the lurid light
Of the burning tenement lit up the pitch
pIuCh udlhitSn VI tIic tlOuucu anu IdlHy
midnight sky. Soon the crash of falling
timbers, as the tower gave way and the
thunder of lettering walls added other ele-
ments of sublmity to the scene. while
the air was filled with cinders and burning
fragments, the fiery crosses of destruc-
ton.
The fire department was on hand.
Whitehall steamer took up its position on
the temporary dock at the foot of Division
street and soon had two streams in full
play. Independent steamer tried hard to
get water from the canal, but the supply
was speedily exhausted, and drawing moth
ing but wind through their suction tube,
were obliged to suspend work. The seve-
raj hose companies did their worl; with
their usual courage and zeal. Could the
Independent steamer have obtained water
the brick dwelling house south of the
church could have been saved
The origin of the fire seems a little mys-
terious There had been fire in n wood
stove in the basement early in the evening,
but the stove was in different part of the
building from that in which the fire origl-
mated The fire in the wood stove was cx
tnguished at about eight o'clock. Those
who came up Division street quite early
after the fire was discovered say it was dark
in the basement, though the whole upper
part of the church was on fire. There had
also been made some alteration of the gas
arrangements about the pulpit that after
noon. though the workmen lett about four
o'clock 1t may possibly have taken from
one or the other of these causes.
The church building was quite an old
one, having been originally built by the
Episcopaians, afterwards used as a town
hall, and finally, about twenty-five years
ago. was purchased by the Baptists. 1t has
since undergone quite extensive repairs, and
the inside was quite Il modern appearing
building.
The most valuable part of its furniture
was the organ, which was very fine one,
put in some five years ago. Nothing was
saved the communion table and service,
pulpit chars, everything was destroyed
The tenement house cast of the church
was occupied by some ten families, all of
whom were turned out into the night and
cold and rain without shelter They
succeeded in getting out most of their fur
niture, though of course it was moro or
less damaged. The brick dwelling on the
south was occupied by Mrs. w. w. Smith
and Louis Dalton. They saved their effects.
The church was valued at about $4,000,
insured for $4,000 The organ had sep
arate insurance of 81, 500. The property
81 ha hot OF 10
known as the Fosdck property, and is
buildings, $500; insured for SAC Mrs
Smith also had an insurance of $1,000.
Loss over insurance, about $11. 900.
There was a dancing party by Lacca
Hose at Griswold hall that evening, and
when the alarm of fire was raised, it was
given out that the building in which the
| hall was was on fire. The widest confu-
sion prevailed for moment, several of the
ladies quite faintng away. The hose boys
left their party and responded with alacri'
ty to the call of duty.
AS Empire hook and ladder company was
on their way to the fire, Robert Erwin was
thrown down near the bank, brusing his
hip and badly cutting his knee. He wa'
dragged away by Oliver Thomas, just il
time to escape being run over by the ladder
wagon.
The blow is n serious one to the church
but we trust it will rally and erect build
ing better adapted to its necessities. 1t ha
the ground and it has its insurance none,
with which to commence moreover, !
has those who love it and are willing t.
make sacrifices for its prosperity.
Washington County Temperate,