Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

At II quarter of four this morning our
lircmen turned out in answer to an alarm
which proved to have been given on ac-
count of fire in Plainfeld. Bert Wells
drove down from there to get help and in
about half an hour after his arrival No.
was on its way to Plainfeld by way of the
Montpelier and Wells River Railroad The
train reached Plainfeld quarter before
five and found the fire under control Of the
pail-brigade of that village; and it was
evident some good work had been done to
save the hotel and other houses. The train
came back soon, but the engine remained
and good many of the Montpelier boys.
Those who fought the fire had refresh
ments furnished by the hotel keeper, Mr..
Slayton, S. B. Gale. Esq. and Frank Dwi-
nell, Esq.
The fire was discovered about 2 O'Clock
in the Carriage and Blacksmith shop Of
Dix Brothers, nearly opposite the hotel
and adjoining the hotel stables. Tie street
runs east and west along the west bank Of
the river, and the buildings burned on the
north side of the river between the road
and the river. The fire spread west to the
house of VIM. Parks and to the west as far
us the road that crosses the river, burning
the house of George Nye, St. Johns Har-
ness Shop and house, the hotel barns, the
Paint Shop of Dow & Martin and the house
and barns of William Parks.
Crossing the river to the south the fire
burned the mills of David Cass, and his
house and barns; the shoe shop of o.
Knapp; and also some property of Charles
Bulkley valued at $3.50. b. P. Young Of
this village, who formerly kept the Plain
field Hotel, had about thousand dollars
worth of furniture stored in the hotel
barn which was all burned, The houses
of Widow Richards, Widow Taylor and
Joel Bartlett were badly damaged by fire
and water, but not destroyed. Large
quantities of furniture were destroyed in
the houses burned. A horse and number
of hogs were burned to death, but val
liant " rooster" came out victorious in his
own estimation-he lost his feathers and
u GOOD share of his comb but not his
voice.
The total loss was roughly estimated by
the Plainfold people at $4,000, but this
is no doubt an eXaggeration, such as is
always made in the excitement attendant
on large fire. Mr.. David Cass who suf
fers most severely, lost $4,000. lie had Ill
insurance of $4,000. Geo. Nye had ST..
200 insurance; Mr.. st. John 1915, VIM.
Parks $1,000; o. Knapp 5000 and Joe,
Bartlett $500. The company losing by
the fire is the Vermont Mutual, and we dc
not learn that other companies had any
risks.
Nearly everybody believes that the fire
was incendary. 1t turns out that Mr..
IIoyt who owns the promises formerly
owned by lion. c. IL. Heath, had all hi:
trees girdled last highland tracks are sale
to have been discovered made by mecca
sions on plowed ground near the orchard
Suspicion rests on one James Richards
who has been prosecuted by lloyt and
others in liquor suits. There was gooC
deal of Indignation against him, and this
forenoon they were making out papers fol
his arrest. He tells contradictory storiel
as to his whereabouts at the time the fire
was discovered, and the general belize
seems to be that he not only girdlcd tho
trees but set the fire last night.