Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-27
The Fire on the East Side.

The fire at the machine shop of Allen & Small,
in this city, on Friday evening, near midnight,
was more serious than was at first supposed. and
but for the almost superhuman efforts of the FIRE
men and other individuals, would have resulted
In q most disastrous confagratlon. The first
person to discover the fire and give the alarm
was Mr.. Fred Hoyt: it was then taken up by
others until it become general. The large ma
chine shop fronts the street. and in the rear are the
engine house, boiler room, blacksmith shop, coal
store room and stable, all connected and being
of wood. The fire appeared to have commenced
in the boiler room. MIR. Geo E Davies was one
of the first on the spot, and knowing the posi-
ton of the force pump with its connect
ing hose, CROPPED his way through the
smoke and in the darkness to the further end Of
the engine house, turned the valve letting on the
steam and setting the engine i work, and then
made his way out Of doors again with the hose,
putting heavy aud effective stream upon the fire,
getting water on nearly fifteen minutes before the
water came from the engines 1t seems to be the
general verdict that the presence and effective use
of the force pump and hose the salvation of
the buildings. The steamer and Atlantic were
soon on the ground and the fire was attacked on
all sides. The flames leaped into the high main
building half way its length, burnt holes through
the floors, charred the tmbers and beams, &C..
and vet through the persistent and well dir ectt
efforts of the fremen, only the boiler house,
blacksmith shop aud stables were destroyed, with
damage to the rest Of the property that osn be cas-
ily repaired. There was much valuable property
exposed. Besides the valuable engine and boilers
and various pieces of machinery OF Allen & Small
there were stored in the building patterns and
other property which il would be hard TO replace.
In the prist mill in the basement were 1900 bush
els of corn belonging to Cony 4 Robinson, and
400 bushels belonging to c. II. White. Twenty feet
south is the large broom handle mandatory Of
Smiley Brothers, which was filled with broom
handles. How the fire was subdued so quickly
and without making an entire sweep is marvel
The steam boiler and engine are no doubt dam
aged. and work is suspended in the shop until new
buildings are erected and repairs made on machD-
ery. Insured for $4400, which will cover the loss
We are sorry to say that there are some evidences
that the fire the work OF an legendary.
Three cards Of matches were found in the engine
room, and man was seen sneaking up one of the
streets about the time the alarm was given. 1t
could not have taken about the boilers as all the
shavings and other debri had been swept away,
and several pals Of water thrown about the boiler
Personal. .
Superintendent Corthell came back to the city
on Saturday, from his educational tour.
Hon. S. L. Pullen OF the Portland Press, passed
through the city on Saturday. on his way home
fro n the Moosehead Lake region.
Miss Tucker gave pleasing readings at the H.
sane Hospital on Friday evening, and at the Sol
diers' Home on Saturday evening.