The Somerset reporter., 1885-07-15
Burned to Death.

LOSS OF LEE AND PROPERTY AT BELFAST
TWO MEN AND TWENTY HORSES BURNED
$50. 900 WORTH OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.
The greatest fire since 1873, when one
fourth Of the city was burned. occurred in
Belfast, Sunday morning, resulting In the
deeth of two human beings and twenty
horses, and loss Of property estimated at
about $4,000. The fire broke out shortly
before one O'Clock In the stables Of the
Belfast Livery Company on High street,
and In few minutes the building was en-
veloped In flames, and before assistance
could arrive twenty horses were literally
roasted alive In their stalls, their agoniz-
ing cries piercing the still midnight air.
The flames next communicated with
Howe's Block at the corner of Main and
High streets, known as the telegraph build
ing, which was entirely consumed. The
American House owned by II. N. Lancaster
and occupied by Landlord VIM. Weeks,
the leading hotol in the city, next sue
cumbed to the devourlng elements. The
CUES is all escaped with their baggage, and
Landlord Weeks saved the greater portion
of his furniture. The house was partially
insured, but Mr.. Weeks was uninsured.
The carriage house belonging to the livery
company and a wooden carriage shop
owned by N. Mansfield and occupied by HI
ram w. Trundy, were totally destroyed,
but the company saved their carriages.
The brick building adjoining the American
House, owned and occupied by Lewis &
Joseph Bean, hatters, was completely gut
ted but the walls are standing.
The saddest event of all was the death
of the two men who persisted 10 the stable
of the livery company. Their names were
Wesley Twombly and John Casey. They
were 10 the second story of the building.
Twombly's charred body was found on the
side walk as Though he had fallen from the
building. He was employed IS hack-driv-
er by the New England House, was twen-
ty Ave years of age, and leaves wife and
one child. Casey's body was found in
stall beside the remains Of horse. He
was twenty-five years of age and unmar-
ried. 1t was an agonizing sight to witness
the grief of his widowed mother, who
paced The street bitterly moaning while the
spectators raked the charred remains of
her son from the burning embers
The origin of the fire was incendiarism.
Twombly and Casey, the two men burned
to death, and companion named James
McCabe, drove to Northport, Saturday
evening, returning about midnight. They
were intoxicated and shortly after they en-
tered the stable the fire was discovered,
and without doubt they were the cause.
McCabe escaped from the burning building
but with his hands and face badly burned.
Charles Baker, chief engineer. was badly
burned about the face while fighting the
fire. The flremen are entitled to mnch |
praise for the work performed. While all
deplore the loss of life and property, there
Is but one universal standardization did
it."
The following are the estimated losses:
II. N. Lancaster, $4,000: Belfast Livery
Co., $40, 900; A. A. Howe, $4,000 W. c.
futile, $1,000; F. H. Francis, 1880; Ma.
sonic Temple Association, 81, 900; Joseph
and Lewis Bean, $1,000; L. D. Fogg,
81 900; Mansfield, $4,000; and the various
tenants before enumerated, various SONS
from hundreds to thousands Of dollars.
Not over one-third Of the property was in.
sured.