Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-26

N tne strlcken Village
was Friday Nights Fire the Work OF
an Incendiary?
FARMINGToN, Oct 25.
lhe excitement in his stricken town is re-
newed by the information of attempt, nv
ouecast' to Increase the devastation of FRI
Gay nights confagration. Owing to the
queer way in which the fire in Mr.. Gerry's
oarn broke out, Friday evening, there were
strong suspicious that this fire, from which
the great confagration started, was set by an
lhcehdlary, as it was burning inside the barn
"hen discovered and could not easily have
been kindled by sparks on the roof. The
events OF Sunday night strongly confirm this
theory' Owing to fears OF this sort, people
had their eyes open, Sunday night Late in
night man was discovered in the acs of At
tempting to fire the store and warehouse of
+. W. Hunt in West Pennington. The fell
low saw that he was seen and took to his
heels He was pursued, but the darkness
enabled him to escape. There is no way of
identifying him. Monday morning evidences
were found Of other similar attempts in the
same village.
These discoveries have created much ex-
citement and alarm in the town. People feel
decidedly shaken over the knowledge that an
unknown frebug is at large and is liable to
start new blaze at any minute. "What is
to be done" people are saying "We can't
go to sleep tonight, knowing that such a man
is in our midst" 1t is probable that steps
will be taken to guard the town thoroughly
tonight.
LEWISTON, Oct. 25.
journal special says two men were dis
covered setting fire to F. w. Hunts build
ing in West Pennington, Sunday night. The
watchman dealt one of them a blow with a
cane, but was unable to capture either. 1t
was narrow escape Sunday evening from
another fire, the smouldering ember, having
worked through the wall at Emery's store
and set fire to Tarboxs store. 1t was sea-
sonably discovered and extinguished The
Chronicle and Journal papers are already
/
communicating with parties abroad asking
aid. A move has been made calling for
fire inquest. Underwriters arrived here Mon
day afternoon and are at work adjust
near halt of million.
FARMINGToN, Oct. %.
The committe of twenty on ways and means
were, chosen at Yesterdays meeting Or
ganzed today with j. W. Merrill, president;
j. W. Fairbanks, treasurer: J. H. Thomp-
son, secretary; and S. Clifford Belcher and
u. b. Cragin, auditors. The committee Or
ganized relief corps in the several religious
societies. Also to relieve those not connect
ed with the churches as follows: Congrega-
tional-J. F. Thwing Methodist-Rev. L.
II. Bean. Baptist-A. S. Riggs. Unitarian
Geo. b. Cragn. Catholic-Fr. J. F. Hur-
was also voted that the merchants on ways
and means committee be committee to as
certain from the merchants burned out what
aid the committee can furnish them.
Ht piSslutbt W as ulicCtSu W GILL Tue Sc
lectmen's attention to their duty in regard to
the fire inquest and it was voted to employ
Deputy Sheriff Alonzo Sylvester to look up
stolen property.
The secretary was instructed to draw up a
petition to the selectmen to call town
meeting. meeting of the ladies will be
held tomorrow to make bedding for destitute
families. The safes, as far as opened, show
their contents well preserved. Assurances
accumulate that the business portion of the
town will be speedily rebuilt. c. W. Keyes
has already engaged masons. etc., for build
ing on the site of the Arcade block. The old
and Broadway, whose walls remained stand
ing, will be temporarily repaired for winter
use.
W. F. Belcher and II. L. Emery will erect
months awaiting the coming of warm weather,
when general resurrection of business
blocks, DIV eliings, ETC., will appear. The
following circular has been issued by author.
GENTLEMEN you have heard of
the calamity that has befallen Pennington.
As a result of the confsgration several fami-
lies are homeless and in great distress. At
citizens meeting held in Music Hall it was
voted to raise relief committee. Said COM
mittee have invited several traders of the
town to correspond with the firms that they
deal with asking them if they would like to
contribute any assistance. As we have no
desire to make general public appeal we
have simply to say that if you feel kindly dis
posed and able to assist US, any sum you may
send us will be gratefully received. If you
have already sent a donation to any trader
here please inform us.
DevOured by Bear.
CLEVELAND, o., Oct. 25.
m II