The Portland daily press., 1883-01-02
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FAIRFIELD.
A Disastrous Year for a Busy Town
Over 100000 Worth of Property De-
stroyed-Miscellaneo Items.

The year just closing has been the most
eventful that Fairfield has ever experienced
The explosion of the boiler at the steam franz
ing mill Jan. 21st was che first of the long list
Of accidents which has followed us through
the entire year. The loss to our village during
the year by fire will re ach nearly, if not quite,
100000. 1t is impossible for the village to
rally for some years from the experience of the
past twelve months, but the business men are
plucky and show the right spirit. When 1t is
known that all the manufactures and mills In
the village, with the exception of one saw mill,
grist mill and corn canning establishment,
have been either destroyed or seriously injured
by fire, strangers will then be able to form
some idea of the blow to this enterprising
place. To be sure, the framing mill was re-
built and in operation in May, the same mills
and shops destroyed in July, are all rebuilt but
two, and the pulp mill will undoubtedly be in
operation again by spring. Still the blow is
none the less severe to our business interests,
and to the town at large. That in years to
come good will result, and greater prosperity
be realized, none will doubt, but for several
years there must be O struggle to recover lost
ground. Trade has been diverted and has
sought other centres, ana in this all classes
suffer, for all kinds of business feel the blow.
In spite of all this there is no complaining,
but an earnest spirit of zeal and enterprise
which will do much to win back what has
been lost.
The cause Of the fire at the pulp mill is still
a mystery, and will probably remain so. A
greater mystery is that the 200 or 300 people
standing in and about the mill were able to
get out of the way after the explosion took
place, and all but one escape injury from the
falling iron and timbers. The snow was deep
and the steam fire engine company, with one
pair of horses, were struggling hard to reach
the fire when the explosion took place. Had
the road been hard and in good condition the
entire company, composed of business men of
the village, would have been in and about the
building and the loss of life must have been
enormous.
After Jan. LIST the national and savings banks
will occupy separate buildings. the savings
bank deposits having reached the sum of
$l50000. r G. Pratt Esq, has filled the
offices of treasurer and cashier for several
years to the satisfaction of the public, who
hope to sec him retained in one of the two po-
sisions. Who is to take the other no one knows,
and no action has as yet been taken by the
officers We hear that number of persons
have offered to take the vacant place at nom
inal sum, and there appears to be little rival
ry as to who will bid the lowest We wait
with some interest to see if his is to be- the
standard qualification.
G. G. Totman, Esq, and wife and Everett
Totman, Esq will start next week on a three
months pleasure trip to California. Their
many friends wish them pleasant journey
and safe return.
The reports from the woods is that there are
three feet of snow and numbering operations
are progressing finely.
There does not seem to be much hustle among
the Democrats for the position of deputy sher-
iff. 0. w Lawry, who has filed the office
nearly all of the time since the Fusionists first
carried the town. will doubtless have the posi-
ton If he wishes it,
Hon. V. r. Conner and S. A. Nye, Esq,
Senator and Representative elect, will have
rooms at the Augusta House during the session
of the Legislature
The question of apportionment awakens con-
siderable interest and move to divide Somer-
set county will meet with decided opposition
sll through the county SETH.