Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-11
Fire at Norwich.



rHf BUsiSEss CENTRE or rur VILLAGE pEsrnoYpD
Fire, visitor never welcome, and for some
time unknown 10 US, has once more been In our
midst
During the heavy thunderstorm which passed
over the town last Wednesday evening, Angus,
9Th, small barn, nearly full Of hay, belonging to
Mr. Peter Johnson. was struck by lightning and
burned to the ground
This fire, three miles from the village, was
NEARLY over, when at 10 70 O'Clock, flames were
seen shooting up in the narrow passageway be-
tween ODDS store and the post Office building.
Inc alarm was Immediately given, but Il was too
late TO check the FIRE with any Of the means at
hand. Nearly everything on the ground floor Of
The store was removed as quickly and carefully "a
possible nothing from the second story was
saved The other building was occupied by S =.
Darnham's photograph gallery and cabinet shop,
j. \ Browns gun shop, and the post Office. The
dry lumber, collins and caskets, etc In Mr. Burn
MANS store-room, made such nm intense heat,
mat nothing could be taken out Of the building
Meanwhile the fire destroyed the she'd adjoining,
and PASSED to the shoe shop occupied by A. T..
Hatch and Cyrus Tracy, which had been cleaned
Of all ia most valuable contents
Mr. Clark's house, only rod distant was now
in great danger, and II was evident that Il this
caught fro, many other buildings must 60 Lad.
ders were nliscd, carpeting thrown over the roof.
ana water poured on hot and doubtful fight
was being made here, when needed help came. In
'he Hanover engine company. Playing upon the
shoe shop, they soon extngushed the flames
there, thus bringing the fire under control The
furniture, which had been removed from AIr
Clark's dwelling, was now partially replaced, and
Mt Edward Old's goods stored In neighboring
barns aud shops Abundance Of hot coffee and
crackers WAS provided for everybody at Mrs Sew
ais and Mrs Kellogg's, and by two o'clock all
had returned TO their homes, but those who were
watching By the burning ruins
The cause Of the fire Is unknown II was
thought by some that the lightning struck In that
spot, but this theory is disproyed The clerk who
occupied a room in the store, heard nothing Of il
several who were watching the storm throughout,
saw nothing Of e. and more than half an hour
elapsed between any lightning aud the outbreak
Of the fire. While no motive is known for incen
diarism, 1t can he accounted for ia no other way.
The loss for our little village, Is large FL
ward W. Odds lost much Of his stock. that which
was saved being in damaged condition; insured
in the Vermont Mutual for 5000, which will by
no means cover the loss The building belonged
10 the Lyman estate Of Burlington, aud was val
ued at Si,J0o S. F. Buu,ham os, all his stock,
tools and Photographic material estimated a, ST.
600; no insurance The post Office and contents
were total loss. J. y. Brown lost $500 in tools
not insured This building belonged u the Bur
ton estate; valued at $500. T. n Clark lost the
shoe shop. $500; insured for $3.50 His honse and
furniture were damaged 10 the amount Of 500.
for which there Is an insurance In the Windsor
County Company. Mr. Hatch estimates his loss
at $50 not insured. Mr. Tracy's loss was slight
F. L. Ellsworth lost nearly all Of his personal eff
fleets The exact losses cannot now be ascertaned
but thetotal $1,000, given In the Boston Journal,
is doubtless too high.
The greatest loss To all concerned is the inter
ference with business which incommodes every
body. But no one seems inclined " sit down dis
eouraged; Mr.. Edward Olds has bought out the
grocery OF S. A. Armstrong, and will have more
OF the room under Union Hall Mr Hatch Is al
ready at work on new shop, opposite Dr. Cur
rier's The post Office is now located one door
north Of the Hotel; and there is more activity ON
the streets than has been seen for long time
SIGMA