Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-23

northwest room OF the Mason house. re-
ceived severe shock. Miss Louise Doe
was crossing the plank walk on the CON-
mon, and was also prostfated By the same
discharge. None of the persons men
toned were seriously injured.
Daylight shows the south end OF the
Universalist church TO have been badly
racked. The electric current passed
down both sides of tho spire. tearing oil
the shea,hing from summit TO base. In
ternally il broke 10 splinters several large
timhers and then tho westerly branch
leaped some ten or fifteen feet, cleef to
az non holt. passed through the south
westerly window completely demo!ishihg
il, and thus to the ground. The easier'y
stream Of The fluid followed the timbers
TO the ground, doing most Of its work
externally. bus bullying the plastering In
wardly, so its course can be readily traced
from either side. One peculiar freak OF
the lightning was that of removing
pew arm, near The centre entrance, with.
out leaving any other mark Of its prog
ress The beliry floor IS filed with s.iy-
OBS from the size OF Forster's patent
sooth-picks to that OF small broom ham
die. IL is almos. i'm possible to estimate
the damage TO this building, as 1t will de-
pend largely on the exten, OF damage 10
timbers. which it may DO necessary 10 re-
move. Two hundred dollars, ct least
will be required to put the building in Us
good condition as it was before the OK
plosion.
1t is q marvel that the church was not
fired, and ii il had beer jgnited, there IL
no surmIsing to what extent the hfe
might not have spread, as the village Is
entirely without appliances for exiin-
goisbing fire. For twenty years the vii
lage has been exempt from fire, and our
people had settled down into a sense Of
Security, which may yet lead to tho total
destruction Of the village. The leFSon
taught by Sunday nights experience
should no! 20 UNDECIDED. We need IRE
en- CINE, aud that Immediately, too. a
stream OF water thrown on 10 the barn
and shed until the latter building bad
been demolished, would have saved d..
Browns h0us-. mA1y dollars worth Vi
property. ard the sad experience oil sec
ing the home OF ones lifetime consumed
before abe eyes that have 20 Iongregard-
cd il ss "a place Of refuge.
The valuable property destroyed by
this single Gre, would purchase two En-
gincs, and keep Ihem in running order
for years. We trust immediate action
will be taken in this matter. and that an
engine, with good company OF drilled
engineers will be The direct fruit OF this
calamity.
DR.. Browns properly was insured for
but one thousand dollars The insurance
was placed in the Home" OF New York,
by Freelsnd Howe OF Nr-way. Loss will
probably reach three thousand dollars.
The Universalist Church vas not IN
sured. Mr. Frecland Howe has clause
which may be added to most policies,
to cover just such losses as this to the
church, where fire does not follow the
lightning stroke Owing 20 the frequcn-
cy Of such calamities, at the present time,
it would be well for farmers and villagers
to have this clause appended to their
policies.
Mr. Hubbard Of the Hubbard House,
served coffee aud other refreshments TO
tho fremen, and Mrs VIM. Chase, }. X.
Hammond and other citizens were alike
generous in their efforts to relieve the
wearied workers.
DR.. Browns pig was burned, also his
best sleigh and farming tools which we're
in the barn. The horse, carriages and
some other property were removed from
the shed and stable.
At the time of this fire, three others
were visible. We have received Particu-
lars from none of them, but learn that a
set of farm buildings was destroyed some
where in Woodstock
A sad Sunday nights work has evil
IDENTIFY been done in Oxford County.