Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-16


and on the last to reject, both Of which
were carried, and the meeting then adjourn
ed.
THE FIRE AT THE ASYLUM.
AT twenty minutes past seven on Tues
day morning, in the midst of one oil the
worst gales Of this season, the village was
aroused by the sound OF the asylum fire
whistle and its warning note had hardly
reached the ears ofthe people before dense
volume Of binding smoke came pouring
down Main street, giving rise to the Grav-
est apprehensions. a general alarm was
Immediately given. followed by a rush or
nearly every able-bodied citizen for the
scene OF the fre. To those who were first
on the ground the situation was indeed an
alarming one. The streets were black with
smoke, and so dense and threatening was
the cloud that rolled over and enveloped the
buildings that even from the top OF the hill
near the common they were entirely invis-
ible. The fire proved to have originated in
the stable which stood in the rear Of the
West wing Of the institution, and by the
time the first outside help arrived both the
stable and tue carriage house, straw barn
and wagon shed which adioinel Il. on the
side next the street, were a mass OF thick
smoke and flame which roared and ieaped
from the doors, windows and roof, and in
the terrible Northwest gale drove straight
toward the main building In 4 way which
seemed TO render lis immediate destruction
inevitable Adjoining the stable on the
at ii i,f,sl a
the upper par; Of Ibis building was also
soon wrapped in raging flames which
threatened every moment 10 spread 10 the
laundry building and thence to the North
wing and so on through the whole insliiu-
ton. Altogether Tue prospect, il not a
hopeless one, was such as called for instant
and decisive action, and made The stoutest
heart grow faint at the thought OF the pos
sible consequences. The citizens rs they
arrived went promptly TO work and the
fire department was soon on hand. Phoe-
nix company No was the first 10 reach
The spot, but not having correctly under
stood the order now and where to reach the
water. Fountain No. took position at
reservoir on the grounds just West of the
main entrance and got the first stream on
the lire, it being directed toward subduing
the flames at line corner next the West
wing and keeping them from spreading TO
the main building at that point. The Phoa-
nix was meantime placed in the street and
took wafer from Hydropath NJ. 3 which
was stationed at the reservoir on Oak St.
This stream was used to check The fire in
the bollerhouse aud to keep it from spread
ing in that direction. The rest OF the de-
partment was actively employed and Es-
tey s steamer was sent for aud did effective
service IN playin: from the reservoir on the
common. The most exposed point and the
one where the mosl imminent danger ex-
listed was AT the North end Of the West
wing where the beat from the burning barn
and shed was intense and Overpowering.
BY the heroic efforts of the tiremeu. how
ever, nobly seconded as they were by those
OF corps OF determined citizens, the fire
was Kept from getting a Judgment in the
main building until the blazing walls and
roof fell in or were pulled down. Equally
effective work was also done on the roof
OF the boiler house, with the fortunate re-
suit that in something like an hour from
the time when il started the Gre was under
control and the worst danger was over. al
though watchlul and untiring work was
necessary Tor some time longer.
The behavior Of everybody on this occa-
sion, in doors and out-firemen, citizens
and employees of the inslitutiou-was of The
most admirable character. There was moth
ing like panic and no exhibition of undue
excitement. There is no doubt that the fire
caught from the chimney or stove in the
stable, The common theory being that the
chimney took fire and burned out in the
herce wind. The flames were first discov-
cred by Ihe engineer, or his wife, and he nj
once opened The fire whistle and gave the
alarm. II unfortunately happened that DR..
Draper. the Superintendent, had been sub
posnaed to attend the trial of HAYDEN. the
Derby Line murderer, as witness, and for
this reason had been compelled to leave for
Irasbnrg on the previous day. In his alb
sence DR., Clark, first assistant physician.
proved himself equal 10 The emergency by
his prompt and eOol-headed action. His
first thought was for the patients in the
most exposed part Of the West wing. and
amer seeing these removed to a Mace OF
comparative safety he lent his personal Ell
forts 10 lighting the ire in a way which won
him universal praise. The ladies of the
house manifested most praiseworthv
caimness, ready Tor whatever might come.
The nrst care Of the out door employees was
Tor the horses in The stable, aud these were
all safely removed. The patients in the va
rlous wards, strange 10 say, manifested but
little unusual excitement, so that in no re-
spect was there any such scene OF confusion
as ono might imagine would attend fire
IN place like this. Pals of hot coffee were
freely distributed from the kitchen TO the
tiremen and others.
The newly organized fire police proved
their efficiency by promptly taking posses
sion OF the laundry wing and in a rapid but
orderly manner clearing it of all movable
articles. These men were aiterward dis
tribuled through the main building TO keep
out the sparks and cinders which the wind
continually drove in under The window
sashes making a source of constant danger.
The total loss involved cannot as vet be
stated with precision. Tine stable, carriage
house, ETC., which was of brick, aud with
the boiler house, formed a continuous line