The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-04
FIRE.
George H. Cheney's Barn Burned.


About si45 last evening the cry of fire,
from which our ears have had almost a
three months respite, was heard, and the
streets were almost instantly filled with an
excited throng, Fastening breathlessly in
all directions.
The fire was found to be located in the
barn of George II. Cheney, on Main street.
When the crowd reached the scene the
flames had burst from the barn and sparks
were falling tbickly on Mr.. CheDey's house,
about twenty feet distant, and on the roof
of DR.. Charles L. Aliens house next north.
The fire was burning ravenously, and as no
engine was yet on the ground, the chance
of saving the house seemed small. The
eager crowd rushed in and stripped it,
almost instantly and before the owner
could interfere, of every movable piece of
furniture; books, bedding, parlor orna-
ments, stoves. sofas, curtains, everything,
in one confused rush. The piano was only
saved from like treatment by the decided
protest of Mrs. Cheney, who declared that
she preferred to have it burned rather than
smashed. The sequel showed the wisdom
of her decision.
There was some delay in getting water
for the fire, and after Nickwackett conf
pany had stream on the barn her hose
broke several times. so that the flames had
reached the back part of the house and
were laying determined hold of it before an
effective stream was thrown
Number Two and the steamer, stationed
in the park at the corner of Main and West
streets, soon followed, and the fire was un-
der control
The barn was entirely detroyed. 1t con-
tanned four valuable horses, some carriages
and harnesses which were removed safely,
and about two tons of hay which was
burned.
The fire was discovered by the servant
girl, who smelled smoke and called Mrs.
Cheney's attention to it. Mrs. Cheney
went to the barn aud found the smoke
thick, and went in and removed her pony.
Danforth Butterfield, the man who had
charge of the barn, was on the ground
about the same time, and removed the
other horses. Butterfeld says that he drove
pair of the herses that evening and had
just pat them up, took off the harnesses
and left the barn, hasping the door but not
locking it, as the town clock struck eight.
lie was going to Cheney's stone on an err
rand, and intended to return and do his
barn work in few minutes.
When he went back into the barn the
fire was burning in the hay over the stairs,
and brand was burning under the stairs
The fire at this time might have been put
but with few pals of water but the
horses were badly frightened and before he
could remove them the fire was beyond his
control. The barn door was open when
he came back to the fire.
The barn cost about $1,000 and is total
loss the damage to the house Is consider
able. Both were insured in the Vermont
Mutual to about the amount of $4,000.
The exact figures could not be obtained.
DR.. Charles L. Aliens house, few feet
north was in great donger at one time. the
sparks from the fire falling thickly on the
single roof, and must have burned but
for the energetic efforts of Mr.. Edward
d. Page, who mounted the roof with q
small hose connected with the water-p pipe
in the house and kept the roof thoroughly
wet until all danger was over.
The fire is thought by many to be in.
cendiary, but nothing definite is known az
to its origin.