Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-02


| opposed to all political clques and rings. He is
| the man for judge of this district, and will be
| triurphantly elected"
The Fire Last Observation-Disclosures Escape
from = Disastrous CONGREGATION.
Last evening about seven o'clock. Mr.. Daniel
T. Turner, the east side of Grove street, nc ar
| the State House, was pitching over the hay in his
barn chamber the place being lighted by kero-
sene lantern, hanging on a nail. Mr.. Turner
must have struck the lantern with the hay, fol the
lantern fell, and as it fell exploded, with loud
noise, setting the hay on fire. The fire spread
rapidly, the flames darting about and almost en-
veloping Mr.. Turner, who speedily descended to
the basement, and let his cattle out Of the barn.
lie then raised the alarm, and began, with the
help of neighbors to clear his house Of the furni
ture. This work had to be done with great dex-
tery as the flames shot through the stable to the
ell, and were marching onward to the front part
of the house. With the help Of friends he was
able to save the most of his furniture. and his
household goods though his kitchen furniture
could not be reached.
Situated just back of Mr.. Turner's, on the
same lot was the house Of Capt. Vim. b. Morse,
the ice dealer and to this house the flames soon
communicated. The house was cleared entirely
of its furniture. The house of Charles Hamlen,
Esq. stood On the next lot south; and the house
of Mr.. f. ?. Shaw on the next lot north Of the
burning buildings, and their positions being very
near, they were in immediate danger.
The "bucket brigade" was out in force, and it
must be set down 10 their credit that the houses of
Mr.. Hamlen and MIR. Turner were saved. We
never saw men work more earnestly, going to the
roof with buckets and pals and working well at
the pumps or in the line passing the water along.
The house of Mr.. Turner caught several times,
and that of Mr.. Hamlen was liz constant danger
for nearly an hour. The fire department was on
the ground, but water was scarce. The steamer
lost time in trying to make a connection at the
hydrant corner of State and Capitol street, but
finally abandoned that to hand engine, and drew
its water from the reservoir in the rear of the
State House. So that both buildings were past
saving and the safety Of adjacent buildings pref
ty well assured before stream from either Of
the engines could reach the fire. The facilities
for obtaining water in that section of the city, in
case of fire, extremely poor.
The fire was entirely extinguished abou, nine
o'clock Mr. Turnerlost cottage house, out-bui.d-
though greatly damaged by removal and the rain.
His loss is 1920; insured for $500 in the Home
Insurance Co., New York. Capt. Morse lost cot
tage house and stable. Loss $1,000; no insurance.
Furniture saved The policy Of insurance which
he previously had on his buildings expired about
a year since. He had a comfortable little home
that he had succeeded by hard efforts in redeem
ing from debt. and his losa is peculiarly a hard
one.
Had it not been iol the rain Of the past three
days, completely soaking buildings, grass and
vegetation Of all kinds, the entire square must
have been wiped out by the fire fcnd. Included
in the scene Of devastation and ruin would have
been the elegant and costly residences of Dr.
Amos Wilder, Jos. A. Holman. Esq, and ES-
Speaker Blaine The sparks and cinders flew
lively all About that region, and more than one
heart was thankful last evening for the "blesacd
rain.