Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-31
Waterbury Items.

Friday night was bitterly cold, and 1t was a
severe time, under the most favorable circum-
stances, to fight fire. But after all allowances
have been made, II II freely conceded that the
means for protecting the property Of the village
from the ravages of FIRE are wofully deficient
A comparatively quiet night was the salvation Of
the village, Friday. The inefficency Of the
village fire department has been the frequent
subject Of comment and warning, and the stores
and dwellings Of this community are to-day at
the mercy OF the flames II another fire breaks
out. In the first place, from well known causes
there is lack OF water. The hydrants would
not stand, II IL asserted, a twenty minutes de-
mAnd. This defect IL remediable and In Its pres
ent aspect Is n misfortune to avert which money
and labor were spent unavailingly In the fall
The water company to which the village IL
chargeable for an annual rent should lose no time
in making its reservoir water tight There
IL a good engine, famous chiefly for the prizes
1t has won in times gone by Mt firemen's tourna-
ments. As an extngusher OF fires ready for
instantaneous and effective service, 1t cannot be
claimed that 1t has been success. The mem
bers Of the company lack drill and familiarity
with their duties. The engine and Its hose, ex-
cept when 1t has been drilling for a contest at a
fireman's muster, has been in chronic state OF
disorder and unfitness for service. 1t is kept in
building located In swamp and can hardly be
started from its quarters without dragging 1t up
hill. 1t could not be gotten into the highway
and hauled to the reservoir Friday night till a
horse could be harnessed and attached to II. Its
proper station Is on the hill" whence two
or three men could start II In any direction to-
wards IRE while the company and citizens
were rallying to their assistance hook and
ladder company, well drilled and equipped, IL
an Indispensable adjunct TO an efficient fire de-
partment Plenty OF water, good engine and
ladder companies well drilled, tools and appli-
ances always ready for the word "go" are
wanted and the possession Of them would have n
very apprecable influence in lowering rates Of
| insurance. These things and some wholesome
restrictions upon the character OF buildings put
| up in the future should have thorough ventila-
| ton at the approaching village meeting or at a
special meeting II one need be called. All the
| old soldiers of Waterbury and vicinity are invited
| to meet in Good Templars' hall Friday, February
| I'd, to organize post Of the Grand Army Of the
| Republic H. A. Iluse OF Post Brooks, Montpe-
lier, will be present to conduct the organization
| In honor OF Waterways gallant trooper who wor
| his generals stars by brilliant service on many q
| hard-fought field the Wells Post would be o
most fit christening for the contemplated organi.
cation. Let 1t be so called. ... Mr.. and Mrs
| William Barnes celebrated, last Wednesday, thu
silver anniversary of their marriage day. A
large company, valuable presents and a goot
| time signaized the occasion . Rev John Bur
gin recently delivered at the Center an inter
| esting lecture His subject WIS Discomfort
noble and ignoble." Mrs. Purple the elocutlon
list, on another evening entertained an audience
| very acceptably. Mrs. G. N. Arms and Mis-!
| Lillian are spending a few weeks in Boston.
George c. Arms, now Of Bristol, Conn, has beef
in town and received cordial welcome from OLE
friends and acquaintances.. A number OF PEG
pie from this place attended the ice carnival il
Montreal. The fancy dress reception at tn
Green Mountain Seminary has been postpone,
till Friday evening, February 9th. The Nc
Caifrey farm has been finally sold. George w
Randall bought fifty acres Of woodland. Tn
remainder was sold to Walter Ladd for S2,5Ot
MIR. d. b. Cole very heartily thanks the pee
pile Of this village for their efforts in his behal
on the night Of the fire and for their many act
of personal kindness. lie will soon be estat
lished again, probably in the Randall building a
the head of Stowe street and will be glad to Sc
his old customers and many new ones, DIR. j
T. Wheeock will reopen his dental office as 500
as he can find rooms and refurnish them. Tn
doctor is a skillful dentist, has built up an exec
lent business and the whole community will b
glad to see him nicely re-established. Their
was a loud call for more stores before the fire Q
Friday night. Now the demand will be so pres:
ing that an immediate rebuilding OF the 81 burn
district" will be an imperative necessity Tea
down that old brick store, Mr.. Randall, and pu
up new one with a full frontage and you wi
rent every foot of 1t. You should have no res
till "Randalrs Building" Is seen emblazoned o
a goody structure built on what is one OF tn
most desirable business sites in the village.
Curtis Wells, with family left for Burlington ye'
terday to assume his new position in the Howar
national bank. The "queen city " has taken to
many citizens like Mr.. Wells from Waterbury f.
the good of the latter place.. A little Laforg
boy lost two fingers while playing with saw
the tub factory. BY reason Of the indispositio
OF Rev. Mr. johnson, there were no services at tn
Methodist church Sunday morning.. Lew
Cotey, who lives in Dnxbury, has a daughtt
four months old who walks alone. The broiht
older walked at the age OF SIX months. I'D. "
Moody has been nominated by the president fC
reappointment to the postmastership of this vi
lage Mr. Moody, though young in years, is
veteran postmaster and has always served ii
government and this community faithfully an
very acceptably.