Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-05-02

BE INCESDIARY.
NERGENSEs, April -.
About four o'clock Tuesday morning the
residents of this city were awakened by the
ringing of alarm bells. the blowing of steam
whistles and the rush Of the various hose
companies with their carts, all bound for
the ives: side of the falls, where smoke was
seen issuing from the roof of the shade
roller mandatory, owned by Messrs.
Wright, Crane and Foss, who have within
the past year built up one of the most sue
cessful business Industries in our city.
When first discovered the fire appeared to
DO in the centre oil the building. in the
third story. The building was filled with
large quantities Of dry pine lumber in all
the varied stages OF manufacture into cur
tain rolls. At many of the lathes were
quantities Of shayinPs, which contributed
ito rapidly increase the conhagralion. The
fremen worked like heroes, and manifested
a perfect fearlessness which bordered on
recklessness IN the faithful discharge of
their duties. The flames seemed to be in
the greatest force at one time in the east side
Of the factory, remote from the play of the
hose companies, which were distributed on
the north, sodth and west sides of the build
ing the east side projecting over the river
front. Two OF the iremen, N. j. McCuen
and another whose name we were unable to
learn, descended through window, and Sc
cureda ioothold on projecting piece Of earth
on the east side OF the factory, from whence
they commenced to play upon the building
with their hose. soon. however. the flames
burst through tue window and their only
means of escape was cut of and few mo-
ments later the blaz3 would scorch them to
cinders. Their comrades saw their danger
and hastily secured a ladder. ran it over the
bank a rod below the factory and only about
twenty feet above the falls, and the brave
fellows cast themselves into the swift cur
rent and fortunately caught the ladder on
their passage down, and were saved. Had
they missed it, an instant later they would
have passed over the falls to certain death.
Another fireman, a member OF the Hooks,
named Pete Austin, secured a position on
the top Of Mock L BartleY's store and step
ping backward he was suddenly precipitat-
ed from the roof distance OF thirty feet.
Fortunately he fell upon bed Of shayings
and mud, about equal parts Of each. and
recovering from his surprise, re-ascended
the building and pushed forward the work
of quenching the fire.
Chief Engineer D. G.. Hindes was ably
seconded by his assistants. Daniel Young
and William Guinn, and managed the force
in very effective and successful manner.
The large building known a. the Holland
L Parker factory, situated less than IS
feet away. was several times on ire. and
notwithstanding the terrible heat, which
was in measure overcome by hastily
improved shields of doors and 9th
er devices, the fremen determined
ly fought the fire until the building
was saved. On the west side was large
shed filed with cOmbustible wooden mate
rial, and one of the pr0prietors, in the
agony ct the moment. seeing his property
perish, cried out that be would give one
thousand dollars to save it. The brave fellows
worked with q will and saved the property.
The splendid water works with which the
city IL supplied were never better appre-
eiated BY our citizens than on this occasion.
But for them q large portion of the business
industries about the Falls must have been
destroyed.
The loss of the shade roller company ex
ceeds $4,000 insured in the lima. Home
and Springfield companies for $3.50. The
basement Of this factory was occupied by a
new firm just started, Daniels u Emperor,
builders and lumber dressers. A large por-
ton OF their manufactured goods were
saved, but carload of lumber Just received,
together with mouldings. sash, etc, were
burned; loss $500. Z. ii. Daniels, arch
itect and builder, losses on machinery, |
$1,000; insured in Lima Company for |
5 1000. Mack X Bartly saved most of their |
stock OF goods in their grocery store in
a csmr gel condition. The building was
insured in the Vermont Mutual for $500;
insurance on stock, 81 200 in the IEtns.
1t Is believed their loss is covered by the
amount of insurance. They are both young |
men, full of energy and pluck and honest |
and upright. When asked what they pro-
posed to do, they replied, I'VE have already
secured q place in Falardo 4 Douglass
block on Main street, and shall open there
at once, and We shall pay one hundred
cents on the dollar every time" Their
courage is admirable.
The shade roller company, as soon as the
fire was over. Immediately telegraphed for
more machinery and will temporarily open
their business in the Strong x Ross hub
and spoke shop, on the same side of the
river. below the falls. They express de-
termination to rebuild Immediately. They
have proved themselves staunch, upright
business men, and are very popular with
our citizens who sympsthize with them in
their misfortune.
About O'Clock Monday evening one Of the |
proprietors passed through the entire build
ing and carefully examined all the bear
ings and found none OF them heated. The
impression is gaining ground that the fire
was the work OF Al incendlary. The COM
pany were doing very successful business
and had large orders ahead at the time Of
the fire and their business bid fair to become
one of the largest in the country. This is
the second time tho buildings on this locs-
ton have suffered complete destruction by |
fire.