Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-24
NalIomeII Eoral Nems.
Fire In HaliOyvell.


At four o'clock yesterday morning, TUESDAY
an alarm Of fire was given by the bell on the tow
or of the Hallowel Cotton Manufacturing Cos
factory in this city, and few minutes thereafter the
Baptist and Congrega tonal church bells sounded
n general alarm startling our citizens from their
slumbers at what may generally be considered rath-
er unreasonable hour. 1t seems the Waterman
as the factory discovered fire and smoke issuing
from the corn aud flour store of Messrs. Leigh &
Wingse, on the east side of Water street, oppo-
site the factory, and Immediately gave the alarm.
The fire caught from the heat OF coal giate in
the counting room, and must have made consider
able headway before discovery, having burned
through the floor and south de of the building,
and circulated considerably about the building
aud among the merchandise, consisting of corn,
flour, oats, shorts, lime, cement, ETC., etc.
The fire apparatus of the fac ofy, under
the prompt and Efficient management Of
the Agent aud his ASSISTANTS imme-
d,ately brought into rcqnsiii'n, and soon had
two pOwc iul streams play ing upon the fire With
telling effect. The Tiger engine was also on the
ground IN an almost incredible bief space Of
| time, and added another volume of water, doing
excellent execution. The Torrent engine though
promptly ia position on the wharf, failed 10 work
on account of frost IN tue valves or pipes, causing
considerable delay 10 getting into working order;
bat finally contributed two effective streams be-
fore the factory reservoir was exhausted The
boys all worked with a will, and confined the fire
within the limits Of the building and although
the ceilings and tiuibers were chaired from attic
to cellar, the fire completely smolhered with
out breaking out to any considerable extent. The
contents oil the store, consisting of between two
and three humid ed barrels Of flour, $500 bushels
OF corn 1000 bushels OF oats, 80 tons Shorts, 100
casks OF lime. several chests Of tea barrels Of su-
gar, etc, were badly damaged. TIE lime
fortunately stored in the cellar where the water
did not reach ii to a damaging extent. At one
| Il. "a, 81. r.
wooden buildings north OF the Leigh { Wngste
store would contribute to make one OF the NEST
| extensive CONGREGATIONS ever witnessed in this
city but as the wind was very light and the build
ings covered with Sow, greater calamity was
ayerted. Mr.. Eli Fall, whose two story double
wooden tenement occupied the lot mkt north and
within a lew inches OF The burnt building, cleared
his pren'es of fui niture, ETC.; but the house
capped injury Others were in readiness 10 re-
move thti, goods 10 case Of emergency Messrs.
Leigh & WIpgate bad insurance. on goods to the
amount of $1,000; divided equally bttw, ca the
Quincy, Mutual and Hanover companies; which
Will probably nearly cover the loss. The store
was owned by Mr.. Leigh, and valued at about
| S2000-no insurance. For the present the prem
ises will be boarded in to protect the properly not
entirely destroyed; but we learn that at an early
day new bilck block will be erected on the size
OF the old building, which will be better adaltcd
to the business oi the fl Ii, IA we'll a. ornament
to the ely.
The proposed ane ailments to the liquor law of
this ) ate will render its enforcement more prac-
ticable and eficacious, and make the traffic more
hazardous than ever.
steam fl engine would undoubtedly prove a
valuable addition 10 our fire department. Also
an efficient book and ladder company with APP
paratus ready for use at q moments notice.
A new law prohibiting loafng about railroad
stations and platforms, reported by the railroad
committee TO our Legislature, will undoubtedly
receive the appreciation Of every class Of citizens
excepting the loafers aforesaid.
For the past few bright days and mooney even
ings sleigh riding has been among the most pleas
urable enJoyments of the season So they say.