Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-30
Destructive Fire at Waterbury.


than twenty years, burning the Burleigh,
Taylor, Knight and Evans blocks, all
wooden buildings; also the barns, sheds
and other buildings in the rear of these
blocks.
The fire was first discovered by Frank
Anterior of Duxbury, who was passing
through the town on his way TO the Center
on sheriff business. The store was all in
flames on the inside at the time. An
alarm was given, and the fire department
was soon at work. The pew water works
were brought into use for the first time,
but in shutting off the water at the ny
drant to lengthen the hose, the bottom of
the hydrant was blown of, rendering it of
no further use. This was the only hydrant
in the vicinity. The two engines, Seth
Warner and Cataract, soon pumped dry
the cisterns in front of the school house
and the one in front Of the Methodist
church.
Owing to the scarcity of water, and the
fire being under such Roadway when dis
covered, all hope was abandoned of saving
these blocks, which were closely connect
ed, and the fight was made at G. N. Arms
brick block, which was separated by a
driveway on one side, and ut the brick
house of L. Moody, which was similarly
situated, at the other limit of the fire. At
these two places, by hard work in the use
of pals, wet blankets and carpets, the
progress of the fire was stayed, and it
was soon under control.
The fire was prevented from taking in
the buildings of Lawyer Clough and taking
in n part of Main street. by the Cataract
engine, which obtained water from Il well
1t was with great effort and hard work
that the large three story wooden blocks
on the opposite side of the street, owned
by Ienas Watts and Cecil Graves, were
saved, every window in them being broken
by the heat and the jet and window CAPS
being on fire several times, and the whole
front was scorched and blackened. Very
fortunately no wind prevailed at the time,
the flames going almost perpendicularly
heavenwards, bearing little to the east
Burleigh's block, the first consumed,
was occupied by J. A. Burleigh & Son,
dealers in stoves, hardware and furniture
Next west was Taylor's block, occupied by
+. B. Taylor & C. P Sherman, West India
goods and groceries. Next to this was
Evans block, occupied by himself on the
first floor, and up stairs by Samuel Mer-
rill, as q tenement. West of Burloigh S
block was NJ. NJ. Knights three story
block, occupied by himself as dry goods
and clothing store, and up stairs as res
dence.
Burleigh's loss on building was covered
by insurance, which was $1,000. The loss
on stock, of which nothing was saved, was
1920; insured in the Union Mutual for
$1,000, Lancashire, England, $1,000, and a
Philadelphia company, $1,000 Taylor's
block was insured in the Vermont Mutual
for $500 which covered the loss. Taylor
& Sherman had $1,000 worth of goods of
which but little was saved; insured in the
Vermont Mutual for $500. Evans block
was insured in the Lancashire, England
for $1,000, which covered the loss; of his
$500 stock of goods but little was saved !;
insured for $4,000, there being $1,000 each
in the Pennsylvania Fire of Philadelphia,
Alliance of Boston, and Royal of Liver
pool.
NJ. NJ. Knight lost on building abou t
$1,000; insured for $500. His household
goods were partly saved; insured for
$500. His goods were mostly removed
from the store in a damaged condition,
with the exception of his stock of winter
clothing which was stored up stairs and
was consumed. The insurance on his
stock amounted to $4,000 All of his in
surance was in English and Pennsylvania
companies. The damage on Elisha
Moody's house was 500; insured in Yer
mont Mutual damage to John Gregg's
furniture, who occupied the house, $50;
insured in the Farmers Mutual Samuel
Merrill, who lived in Evans block, lost
nearly all his furniture, without insurance.
The damage TO Graves block was about
$780, insured in Vermont Mutual, and
Franklin of Boston. Watts block was
damaged about $3.50; insured. G. N.
Arms block was damaged slightly; insur-
cd. Chas. E. Wyman, in Arms block
removed his goods, sustaining damage
of about 5000. Richardson & Fullerton
and Remington & Ashley, in Watts block
did not remove their goods damage
light; insured. j. w. Moody, postmaster
in sane block, removed his goods, damag
ed slightly; insured. P. L. Muzzey, in
Graves block, damage light; insured
Chas. o. Graves, stoves and hardware, in
Evans block, removed large amount o
goods, causing damage of about $3.50
insured. This makes total loss of abou
$4,000, all of which is we'll insured.
OF those burned out, M. M. Knight ha!
fitted up the basement of the Congrcga-
tionalist church until he can erect a new
block which he says will be brick. Tay
lor & Sherman are in the basement O
Randall's block. Evans is not yet located
The origin of the fire is unknown as nj
one was in Mr.. Burleigh's store after
o'clsck that evening and it was all on fire
F inside when discovered. Several theories
are entertained
E. Morton Smith is now at work OF
the Denver, Colorado, Tribune.
At McIndoes, Wednesday, A. S. Moore