St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-08-11


Judge Poland said he met Mr.. Bris-
tow III Boston few days ago, and he
promised to he in Vermont next week
and he would speak III several towns,
st. Johnsbury among others. When
he comes big mass meeting will be
held here.
The meeting adjourned to meet at
the call of the executive committee.
Fires and Loss of Life.
AT WEST BURKE-BARTON-
During the last few days there have
been an unusual number of fires in this
vicinity, destroying considerable prop
crty, and we regret to add, one life.
AT WEST BURKE.
Last Saturday afternoon, two small
sons of j. NJ. Smith, the youngest three
and a-half. and the oldest some say five
anu some seven, went into Mr.. Smiths
barn and upstairs, and with matches
set the hay on fire. 1t is said the old
est boy had got out into the barn to
learn to smoke. However this may be,
when he found the barn on fire, he ran
ont but did not tell at first that his little
brother was in the barn, probably for
getting him in the excitement; and
when it was discovered. it was too late
to get him out, and he was burned with
| the building. When taken ont his
limbs were burned off and the body
burned beyond recognition. The barn
WAS close To the house. The fire had got
under such Roadway that there was no
chance of saving that, so all gave them
selves to the task of saving the house,
and for half an hour they kept the
/ flames back, but finally had to yield.
The heat of the day was intense. about
. IOO- in the shade, and the fire made
+ the situation thousand times more OPP
prcSSive. The fire WAS creeping over
and through the house. and what men
could fight it with pals A telegram
was sent to Lyndonville and ST. Johns
! bury for assistance. W. Walters house
stood near 10y, and having abandoned
Smiths. all effort was concentrated on
this. The most desperate effort WAS
made to protect it. but in vain. There
was also attached to this house barn
filled with hay beyond Walters house
were two smaller buildings.
Unless the fire could he stopped here,
il seemed as though the whole business
part OF the village must go. About
/ this time very opportunely some - men
and boys came from Lyndonvillc. and
they pulled down the building in part,
and then lines were formed to the river
and here by the utmost Labor the de
>troycr WAS stayed. One of the houses
burned belonged to {. VI. Smith. He
was insured for Sl5OD. The other W
Walter, and insured for $1,000. The
household effects acre all saved. Mr..
Walter and wife were away during the
tire. he being ut Waterford to work. and
she on the morning of the day ot the
fire started for the same place on IL Wis
it. leaving at home two children. the
oldest Il boy about l3 wears old and Il
little girl about |. who Witnessed the
burning Of their home. The funeral OF
the little boy who WAS burned. WAS had
on sunday.
At Il public meeting held at West
Burke Monday, at which Joel Trull was
chairman. and /. G.. Bishop. secretary
in behalf of II committee of five. David
Trul presented the following re~olu-
tiouS which were unanimously adopted
RcsoIred. That the citizens of West
Burke express their heartfelt thanks Ia
II. +. Folsom. Supt Pass. X. r.. and
Ia his employees, and all others from
LNndonville. for their timely assistance
rendered them in Subduing the fire at
West Burke. Saturday, the 9th inst.
I'd, We also express our heartfelt
thanks t" the five or six hundred citi-
ZcnS of st. JohnSbury. who were all
ready with their hooks, ladders and en-
9ineS. to start for our aid when they
learned the flames were under control.
3D., Also that the citizens of Burke
and vicinity have our thanks for their
earnest aud strenuous efforts to suhdur
the fire and save our village from de
struction.
4th, That the ladies, 10y their almost
Superhuman efforts. and their assistance
i'll moving household effects and carry
ing water have entitled themselves to
suffrage. or amy office of honor that can
he bestowed upon them.
Afterwards remarks were made by
several citizens, relative to the subject
of better protection against fire.
FIRE AT BARTON.
The railroad wood shed and water
house. near the depot in Barton, was
set on fire by passing engine at 1890,
Monday. The shed contained 24O cords
of woods, which was entirely consumed