Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04
Fire In Barre.

/
On Saturday evening last about eight o'clock,
the fork shop Of the Stafford and Holden Manu-
featuring Company was discovered to be on fire.
It was first noticed by people just across the river
In " Brooklyn" the flames then issuing from
window in the second story near the centre OF
the building. The alarm was quickly given, but
owing to the muddy condition Of the streets 1t
was some twenty minutes from the discovery OF
the fire before the engine arrived mt the scene.
The flames were then issuing from, or through,
the roof, and were seemingly making rapid progress
| In the second story and attic. The engine was
soon placed beside the mill pond, the hose laid,
| and in n very few minutes the boys were
playing two streams Of water on the fire. Mean
while others had entered the building, and were
working like heroes to clear the building OF NOV
able property: but II soon became evident that
the fire was getting the mastery. Large quant-
ties Of material were stored in the first and sec
ond stories, and AS the fire progressed the heat
became intense. Still the men, with few excep-
tions, were working faithfully, doing some heavy
work which, without the excitement of the occa-
sion, would have seemed impossible consid-
cradle portion Of the machinery on the first floor
was saved including the board planer, the iron
pianer, saw carriage, saws, turning lathes, etc.
Quite quantity Of partly manufactured tools
were saved. In about an hour from the dscov-
cry Of the fire. the building was so enveloped in
flames that it had TO be abandoned to It's destroyer
The burning cnders fell thickly on the surround
ing buildings, and ladders and pals were soon in
demand by anxious owners. The engine all the
while was faithfully playing on the fire, and did
muck toward subduing the flames; but the heat
was intense and great anxiety felt to prevent the
spread of the confagration. About ten O'Clock
the building had pretty much fallen in, and by
eleven the danger to other buildings was consid-
cred past. The engine continued to play upon the
ruins until near five o'clock on Sunday morning,
when n rest was taken until about nine o'clock in
the morning, by which time the wind had fresh
ened from the SOUTH and aided the smouldering
embers to revive. The engine was then moved
nearer the ruins, and soon finished its work. The
loss is estimated at fifteen thousand dollars-in-
sured for eight thousand eight hundred dollars
two thousand five hundred dollars on building,
one thousand six hundred dollars machinery,
and four thousand seven hundred dollars on
stock. The fire is supposed to have caught from
a stove in the second story, but nothing definite
is known of Its origin, The old company which
did business under the name of Stafford, Holden
Il Co.." consisted OF some four partners in the
firm. On the 3ist day of March, 1876, that COM
pany changed into stock company with
numerous and able stockholders. 1t Is uncertain
whether the factory will be rebuilt, as there has
rs yet been no meeting of the stockholders or
directors. 1t has thrown some thirty men out of
employment, and II not rebuilt will prove seri-
Gus loss to our village.