Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-12
Destructive Fire In Hardwlck.

ilardwick Hotel, owned by Drenan nrothers,
and occupied by John Birks, was destroyed by
fire, on Thursday, the 9Th inst, about noon. The
fire originated In the attic ut the south cnd Of the
main structure and was caused, II is supposed,
by defective chimney. It was first discovered
about eleven o'clock, by smoke issuing from the
roof around the chimney, but 1t was then found
too late to save the building, on account Of the
impossbty Of reaching the FIRE by any means at
hand, ~ the attic on the inside was efrcctuaiy
closed to entrance by the dense smoke. Tho
wind was blowing perfect gale, and the progress
OF the fle soon gave it full possession Of the roof
but, fortunately, its progress downward was slow,
enabling the furniture To be easily and safely re-
moved from the building, except what was In the
rooms Of the attic. The " water-rail brigade "
was soon on hand, while the ncaness TO the
river ~ n base Of supplies, enabled them to work
10 advantage and with important results They
took up - position in the rear of the main building
whore il was connected with the ell part. with the
hope Of saving that, and preventing the FIRE ex-
tending back to the river, which would involve
the almost certain destruction Of the barn and
much other valuable property The fight was
long and fcarfully contested, and By the cour-
age persistency and remarkable physical cndur-
ance Of a few men working nearest the FIRE, the
victory WAS finally achieved Notably among
these was s. r Wheeler. who stood nearest the
FIRE for an hour and half, in position the most
trying aud perilous. With burning clothes and
blistering face, within an arms length Of the rag
ing element Of destruction, his courage and con-
iidence in their ability to finally triumph never
wayered for a moment Never we dare sg,y, In
his long service as a soldier Of " Uncle sam" did
he, or could he have displayed the sticking quail
ity more eonspicuously, or to better advantage.
It may seem inyidious to make any distinction
where so many did bracely and cell, yet none
stood in so trying and dangerous position for so
long time, or did more to encourage Others in their
work than Wheeler and very few possess the
courage and endurance to have attempted to per
form his work upon this occasion. The carriage
shed connecting the barn and ell was pulled down.
which introduced strong current Of air upon the
south side Of the burning buildings, eiTectualy
protected the Warren building opposite and
greatly improved the chances Of limiting or pre-
venting the further spread Of the fire The light fall
Of snow the night before, and the direction, force
and steadinsss Of the wind. contributed In no
small degree to tie final result and In saving our
village from sweeping disaster The best es-
Inmates Of loss place it at near 5000, with nsur
ance Of about So GOO on the Dgenaus' interest and
$3.50 on Birk's personal property. As larger
part Of tho personal property was saved in fair
condition, the losses this will he fully covered
Drenan Brothers held three policies Of Insurance
on the whole property, amounting in the aggre-
gate to 81, 600. But the saving Of the barn and
woodshed and most OF the house furnishing, will
no doubt reduce it To about 5000 on the property
destroyed and damaged. 4 large amount Of pota-
toes, belonging TO the Drenans were stored iu the
north cellar, which Of course were destroyed
This Is the second considerable Are our village
has experienced within three months An engine
or some efficient fire apparatus at hand, would uu-
doubleday have saved the hotel with bu; small
damage.
Our citizens and property owners should lose
no time in providing efficient apparatus Of some
kind, for use in such emergencies Telegram.
were sent 10 Morrisyille and St Johnsbury fox
aid, which we're nobly responded to. As an engine
from the former reached wocott, and from the
latter at Danville, before they were intercepted
by notice that their assistance was not needed, as
the FIRE was under control