Litchfield enquirer., 1875-03-18
NEW PRESTON, Mar. 18th, 1875.


 NEW PRESTON, Mar. 18th, 1875.
 MR. EDITcR:-We supposed that there were plenty of persons in this village whose time was not so occupied but they could afford enough to write about so in- teresting an affair as a fire. We were dis appointed on examining, last weeks En- quirer, to find only half dozen lines in regard to the burning of M. 8. Beemans store. About the same space was used in the Ray. We have been very busy for a while, and could not attend to the mat ter: but, if we had known that your nu- merous correspondents here would be so delinquent, We would have retired later or risen earlier (probably the formerD to gain time to write you fuller particulars. After noticing the doings of sewing circles and the painting of picket fences so ex- tensively, it is too bad to allow so import ant matter to pass unnoticed, especially as we have not had fire in many years. Better late than never"
 On the night of, the 7th inst. at midnight We were aroused from sweet repose by unearthly yells of Fire! Fire! Wara- maug is all afire, Fiji i-r-r-e!" We rose in haste; took nasty observations; dressed hastily, and went bounding down street as rapidly as our strength and the deep snow would permit. Our neighbor was so successful that it was unnecessary for us to do any yelling; so we put all our power into speed. Arriving at the scene we found almost everybody present. Didn't know that there were so many fel- lows in this vicinity. Didn't see quart CT as many at church Perhaps it wasn't attractive time. Peoples tastes differ.) Some were running this way; some that, with ladders, poles, ropes, axes and pails, rather undecided as to which was the best manner of procedure.
 Meantime, the building, as it was old, we'll seasoned and filled with combustible matter, was fast being consumed, and soon 1t was all ahame, presenting very grand, but not very profitable illumina- tion. No goods could be saved, except one end of billiard table. and an old fashioned refrigerator. The fellows final ly concluded to save a shed and barn ad- joining. So they commenced tearing down, snow -balling, and pouring water on the fire near the shed. and, after an hours active effort, succeeded in extinguishing 1t.
 Whether the fire was the work of an in cendiary or originated from carelessness remains mystery. Mir. B. had gone to New York to purchase goods. Mrs. B. first discovered the fire and gave the alarm by ringing large bell. MT. B. had quiet variety in stock, but as he has, for a long time, been a merchant, there was also an accumulation of old-fashion- ed and not very valuable matter. The property was heavily insured
 It was fortunate that the roofs near were covered with snow, for, had they not been, several buildings would have been burned, for heavy wind carried showers of sparks upon them.
 Some funny things happened One gen. tleman ran about supposing that he was hollering "Fire, loud enough to wake the world, but, in reality did not utter a sound. His chum, a bachelor of seventy five summers. who roomed next door, was seen making off with an old straw bed. Others had difficulty with their attire. The excitement about the fire was but temporary, for the attention of the young men was directed toward the organization of Cornet Band, while that of the older ones was directed to subscription relat- ing to the same. $250 were soon subs l cribed;a set of instruments have been pro- cured; and teacher will soon be engaged.
 MT. Adam supplied the pulpit, the 1 14th inst. N TAT