The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-12-15

Mr.. T.. o. Scott has removed his meat
market from the basement, up to the gro.
Gerry store, formerly occupied BY Mr. w.
Nernas
Mr.. p Hanks has purcca,cd Mrs.
Mtadce's house on Main street. for 49,.
00O
A public meeting Of the voters of this
city has been called by the Common
Council to decide the water qtestiou, on
23d, at 10a. M
The ladies Of the Baptist society re.
ccived about seventy five dollars at their
festival in School House hall, Wednesday
evening
Lewis January has All ice park on the
creek l75 by l25 feet
NJ f. Adams is about to close the
Fort Cassin House. 1t will be unoccu.
pied during the winter.
Butter brought from IS to 10 cents on
Saturday.
Business dull, aud cold on the increase.
Many are sick with scarlet fever, and
some deaths have occurred.
w. s. Alden will send post paid, to
any address, the Vt. Register for 1878,
upon receipt Of IL cents.
Buy useful Christmas presents this
year you will find splendid assortment
at Bonds.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, MANI.
FAorUREs AND MININd.-The irst meeting
of the new state board of agriculture,
manufactures and mining was held at the
American House, in Burlington, Thurs
day evening all the members being pres
emit, as follows Governor Ashacl Peck,
chairman. ex.oflicio President M. II.
Buckham, ex.officio Hon. Alexis 7.
Smith. New Haven G. Horace Hubbard,
Springfield; Col. John B. Mead, Ran.
dolph; T. l., Sheldon, Rupert; G. G,
Pringle, Charlotte, and Gardner s. Fas.
sett, Enosburgh.
The first meeting Of the board was to
choose secretary, and the ballot resulted
in the choice of Professor Peter Collier,
tho present incumbent.
Col. Mead inquired il any "new depar.
ture" was to be saken in the work Of the
board
Prof. Collier said the work of the board
had been criticised in some quarters. 1t
had been suggested that the board hold
one large meeting in the year. instead of
numerous small ones.
Mr.. Fassett and Mr.. Smith favored the
present system of the board, while COL
Mead and Mr.. Sheldon favored one year
ly meeting.
President Buckham moved that the
board hold six meetings this winter, three
on each side of the mountain.
Mr.. Hubbard spoke briefly in favor of
the present system, aud moved that the
system of local meetings be continued,
and that the secretary be instructed to
send slips to the state papers, notifying
them of the organization, of the board and
requesting parties who wish meetings to
communicate with the secretary at once.
The motion was adopted unanimously.
President Buckham then renewed his
motion.
Col Mead moved to amend by appoint
ing six meetings or more. Lost.
Mr.. Sheldon moved that the board hold
two meetings. Lost.
eight meetings. Lost
After long debate, President Buck.
ham moved that the board hold three
meetings during the month of January,
and leave the subject Of future meetings
at the discretion Of the board. Adopted
unanimously.
\ long debate then ensued Oh the sub.
Ject Of the distribution of the annual re.
ports, after which the board adjourned.
BURNING OF THE STATE REFORM School
AT WATERBURy.-We are sorry to be
obliged to chronicle the total destruction
by fire Of the large State Reform School
building at Waterbury, which took place
before daylight this morning The fire
caught about 3 a. IN, from some defect
in the gas works, which were situated in
the basement, in the northwest corner of
the main building. A slight explosion
was first heard. When those in charge
hurried to the spot they were met by
clouds of dense smoke, rolling from the
room containing the gas retort, which
prevented access to the room. The fire
thus spread unchecked. There was little
wind, and the fire burned straight up"
extending throughout the structure, the
interior and roof burning out and the
walls falling in, till the whole building
was only heap of ruins. Mr.. and Mrs
Fairbank were both unfortunately absent.
Had Mr.. Fairbank been there, it is prob.
able that his familiarity with the water
works and presence of mind, would have
enabled him to make more efficient Ggh'
against the destroying element. Those
present, Of course. turned their attention
to getting the boys from their dormitory.
This was done safely, without accident
and the boys were taken to the hotel al
Waterbury and they now have temporary
quarters. We learn that little was saved
Of the contents Of the building. The
building was the best reform school il
New England. Il was Of brick, with O
front OF 1875 feet, the middle portion be
ing four stories high, 40 by 80 feet, with
wings OF three stories on each side of II
by As feet. Two ellis extended to tn,
rear from the wings, each 81 feet long
occupied by the workshop, dormitory,e'c
Most Of the structure was new, erected il
1871, at u cost for building and fixture
of SAT 800 The cost of the old work
shop, which formed one Of the ellis Of tn,
new building is not included in these fig
ures. The building WAS considered par
ticularly well protected against fire, hav
ing large tank ia the attic, with hos
; and pipes in the hall Of each story read,
for instant use, and by which water coul,
be thrown into every room in the building
1t was provided also with outside tanks
steam pumps etc. The mistake appear
to have been in putting the gas works in
side the building instead of outside, in
small fire. proof building The gas wa