The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-28


ory are that the hogpen, which Joined the
woodshed on the south, was IN flames when
the neighbors began to arrive, while the
woodshed was only on fire on the south
end. Those who advocate this theory be-
lieve that the hogpen was set on fire for
mischief, supposing the family would dis
cover II before the house caught. On the
other hand, If the fire had originated in the
hogpen Clark's room could hardly have
been filed with smoke while only the back
end OF the woodshed was in flames. 1t is
believed that the Tower boys were so
nearly suffocated when they awoke that |
they dropped insensible soon after leaving |
their bed. No cry was heard from them |
and the position of one body shows that
enc of them had crossed into Clark's room |
before he fell, the ashes of the partition |
lying in ridge between the two bodies.
The selectmen of Clarendon, William W.
Walker, N. M. Powers and II. X. White,
examined the ruins and heard the story of
the fire from the eye-witnesses. They were
divided in opinion as to the origin, and
after taking counsel of Judge Dunton and
other lawyers decided not to order an in
quest at present. The matter will remain
open, waiting for any clue which may come
up as to the origin of the fire.
Messrs. Mann and Kimball of Randolph,
who were stopping at II. K. Whites, a
short distance from the scene, state that
they were among the first at the fire, and
when they reached the spot the hogpen was
consumed while the flames were only run
ming over the woodshed. This would
seem to indicate that the fire originated in
the hogpen.
THE FAMILY
consisted of Mr.. and Mrs. Tower and five
children. The present Mrs. Tower is his
second wife, and was formerly Mrs. Kate
M. Cheney of Rutland. The two boys
and one daughter, Sarah Emeline Tower,
seven years old, were the children of his
first wife, who was daughter of Ira Will
kinson, OF Ira. One of the girls, Nellie
M. Cheney, young lady of sixteen, is the
daughter of Mrs. Tower by her first hus-
band. and there was child eleven months
old. Mr.. Tower moved from Ira about
seven years ago, with his father, Joseph
Tower, who lives some distance north of
of him, and his brothers George and En-
NETT Tower of Rutland.
| THE LOSSES.
Nearly all the furniture and effects in the
house were burned. The neighborhood Is
not thickly settled, and not more than a
dozen people gathered at the spot during
the fire. These were collected by the
energy of the boy Clark, who displayed a
wonderful amount of pluck throughout,
and was uni emitting in his efforts to save
goods. He escaped with nothing on but a
shirt. He called Mr.. Tower, then sum-
moned three of the neighbors, dressed him
self, and lead IN the searching of the house
till it was impossible for any one to remain
longer in the building. Among the losses
was piano and 400 pounds of maple su-
gar. In the hog pen were two spring pigs,
weighing hundred and fifty pounds each,
which were burned. There was no insur-
ance. The hous, had been insured with
M. j. Franc isco for 81 900, but the policy
expired the 90 of last March. Mr.. Fran
ciecos clerk st ss u at he notified Mr..
Tower of the expiration twice, by postal
cards addressed to Clarendon, which cards
Mr.. Tower says he never received, his ad-
dress being North Clarendon. He also
states that he notified Mr.. Francisco to re-
new the policy at the time of the Ii. R.
by auction sale last April. The money
loss is probably about $4,000. The farm
was not fully paid for, and this renders the
loss of the home doubly hard.
AFTER THE FIRE.
The news Of the terrible disaster spread
rapidly, and at eight o'clock fifty people
had gathered at the ruins. The stream OF
visitors continued from that time through.
out the day. Many persons from Rutland
visited the scene. Not all were mere curl.
Gus spec ators. Many offers of aid were
received by Mr.. Tower from the people OF
Clarendon, aud much warm sympathy was
expressed for his terrible affliction. Every.
thing possible was done for the comfort Of
his family. The visitors continued to arrive
through the day Sunday, many coming
from considerable distance.
THE FUNERAL
, of the victims will be attended this morn
D ing Religious servcess will be held at tn,
r chapel in North q rendon at eleven a. m.
: Rev. Mr.. Morse, of Clarendon, will officiate
Q after which the remains will be removed I,
8 Ira for interment beside those of thei
J. mother. 1t will be one of the saddest cere
monies ever witnessed and will doubles
!, have large attendance.
n SIMILAR GASES.
n This case Is one of the most terrbl
, which ever happened in this section.
/ tragedy 80 horrible and full of pathos it
|. seldom the duty of the journalist to record
But two cases of the kind In this county ca
1t at this writing be recalled, one in Rutlan
n and one in Csstleton.
q December 3, 1918, FIVE or six youn
! children of Daniel Oliver-a colored man
a were burned to death. Oliver had hous
. about three miles northeast of the villag
:, in the Post neighborhood. In the evening
having put all their children to bed an
!. locked their door, Oliver and his wife wer
!. away to spend the evening. During thei
y | ahsence the hOuae took Are and With IA