Litchfield enquirer., 1878-07-11
Thomast0n.

1H6 m6In0uist CnuICu Hdu ItS StTdWUefIy and ice cream festival on Tuesday and We'd nesday evenings of last week. It was pleas ant affair, and snug sum was netted.
 On Thursday evening the ladies of Thorn aston gave Blue Ribbon sociable in the Methodist lecture room The boys that are wearing the blue came out in good force, but the ladies were ready for them with long ta- ble loaded with eatables, and with plenty of tea coffee, lemonade and ice-cream. Our ladies are noted for their skill in such matters, but this time they surpassed themselves. It was very pleasant gathering. -Dr. Goodwin, President of the new TempsraLce Society, was indefatigable in attending to the wants of the people assembled.
 The Seth Thomas Band Picnic of the 4th was postponed till the following afternoon on account of the rain. We hope it proved prof. itable, and that its proceeds will enable them to get their new uniform s.
 On the whole the Fourth was very qui- ct day. tse b. sa.ts "
 The Clock Shop closed for three days af- ter the Fourth. 1 sz asl.s.s. !4
 At half past nine, Friday night, the whole town was startled by the ringing of bells, and people focked to the Center to find the build ing of Mr.Seth Thomas next his residence and occupied by, MT. Elias Bennett and for a postof1ce, in flames The fire started in the cellar of MT. Bennett's grocery; and, as we have no way of extinguishinga a fire, it soon spread to the main part of the building. In the meantime the mail matter was removed but the books of the Free Library, some TOO in number, were destroyed, including such works as Appleton's American Cyclopedia, and many valuable historical works.
 Every effort was made to save MT. Thomas barn. It was kept drenched with water till the fire broke out all over it>from the intense heat It was filed with hay, but the live stock, carriages, &c., were saved. .., s.... i, .f
 As soon as the barn caught, peoples atten- tion was turned to the Morse Block, and to Mir. Pierpont's houses in the rear. Everyone went to work in the block and cleared it of furniture from the 3d floor to the basement It's inmates were MT. Churchill who lost some furniture stored in the garret; Mrs. Roberts and Messrs. Yeitter and Jackie Bevans and Tucker, who saved most of their things, Bevans losing the furniture of one room. Messrs Webster & Baker saved most of their dry and fancy goods. The drugs of Mir. Tucker were badly damaged. The contents of Beachs shoe store were all removed and the papers and safe of the Savings Bank were secured without damage. We hear that Webster, Ba- ker and Tucker were fully insured. Bennett loses $3, 3,000; insurance $1, 800.
 The Center looks very desolate The part that was our pride shows nothing but crpmbled walls and bare foundations The Morse block has been built but year. It was three sto- ries high, with brick walls trimmed with white granite. The Seth Thomas building was frame house. The small building next the Morse Block was torn down to prevent the further spread of the flames which were fully spent at 1:3O a. m.
 There were many amusing incidents such as throwing out windows and glass doors and carrying down bedquilts.
 At 1s a Steamer arrived from Hartford, in response to call for help, doing good service for which our towns people are very thankful, There were several narrow escapes, but no one was seriously hurt. The homeless are all we'll cared for. .....sf ...
 It has been the most destructive fire our vil- lage has ever known. May it be our last G.