Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-11-10
Incendiarism in Braintree.

tree and West Randolph were greatly ex-
cited by series of remarkable inccnlary
fires occurring in the Riford Brook neigh
| borhood
The railroad and highway between West
Randolph and Braintrec station run from
the former place in a direction a little
west of north up along the West Branch
OF White River. About two miles from
West Randolph the highway bran hes, the
main road running up along the east bank
OF the stream, while another road crosses
bridge to the west and left, and follows
up what is known rs Riford brook. Just
beyond this bridge is the residence of SAM
uel Riford, a we'll known farmer of Brain
tree. The road runs nearly west for Il
time, then bends to the north and runs up
the Riford brook valley till it comes to an
Old mill somethin. more than a mile from
kltord's, where it turns abruptly to the
west, follows the brook up very narrow
| valley, and soon climbs into the mountain
range that separates Braintree from Gran
VILE. Some three-quarters of Il mile be-
yond Klford's is the house of Luther Til
son, it being the third house from Riford's.
some sixty rods to the north of Tllson's
was Joseph w. Smalley's house, and a
quarter or third of i mile beyond, the
house of Loren Marsh, the latter being not
far below the old mill, near which the road
turns off to the west.
Between half-past four and five o'clock,
MIR. Luther Tilson discovered that his barn
on the west side of the road and somewhat
north OF it. was on fire He ut once rushed
to the barn and was fortunate enough to
get his stock out. Meantime. Joseph
Smalley, living to the north. heard some
thing outside his house, and looking out
saw his barn was on fire. He rushed out,
and going to the barn to see what he could
do toward saving things but on LOOKING
back saw his house on the east and oppo-
site side of the road was also in fumes.
He returned to save things in the house.
and was soon joined by Tilson, who had
come up to help him, and by Riford, who
had seen the fire and came up on horse
back. \ few things were saved from
Smalley's house. and his horse barn was
also saved. Riford rode on to Loren
Marsh's and gave the alarm there.
On arousins Marsh'S folks, Riforl told
them they had better stay and watch their
buildings as they would be fired he
thought Mr.. Marsh stayed around for
some time, but after going around his barn
and into it, came back and ltold his wife
everythn. was all right, and she urged
him to so down to Smalley's to help. lie
did SO and 4 few minutes after 4 couple of
men who came running to the fire passed
his buildings and everything was quiet
Marsh had been gone about fifteen min
utes, when the two men above referred to
on getting down to the other fire, looked
back and saw Marshs barn in flames
His wife, who had been watching, SAYS the
first she knew of it the back of the barn
was we'll going. Soon afterwards barn
belonging to James Marsh, near by, was
discovered to be on tile. This burned,
with its contents.
The barn and house of Loren Marsh
were wholly burned, and SO rapid were
the flames in the former that two COWS, a
yearling, two hogs and so sheep were
burned. The things in the house were
mostly saved.
The loss was some four OF five thousand
d1llars: and Tilson, Smalley and Loren
Marsh were insured in the Farmers Mu-
tual, the insurance on the burned property
being some $500.
OF course great excitement prevailed
throughout the community, and search
was made throughout Friday for the guilty
ncendiary, threats of lynching being free
y made. 1t was said that 4 tramp had
been seen lurking about, and the first day
suspicion generally followed that theory
But the next day folks began to think that
some one in the neighborhood had done it.
Several were suspected, Mr.. Smallcv more
generally than any one else, he living
alone, well insured,and his property mort
gagged. 1t is but just to him to say that
some who know him best do not believe
that he could have been the perpetrator Of
the outrage.
There have later been several other
theories to account for the matter, and Ia
ter events in that section of country point
towards the conclusion that it must be in
tested with some one or more raScalS, who
are lurking about. An account Of these
performances is given elsewhere