The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-26
FARmINcToN's CONDITION.
Little Doubts that the Fires were In
cendiary.
villains Attempt to Burn Buildings In
West Pennington.
The Citizens Taking Measures to Re
pair Their Losses.
A Modest Hint that Help Would be
Acceptable.
The Losses Likely to Amount to Half
a Million Dollars.


the great fire of Friday than vague rumors of
suspicious characters being in town with
mischievous intent, caused great uneasiness.
and bands of sturdy men, armed with axe
handles and heavy canes, have been parad-
ing the streets, stopping all strangers who
happened to be out late, and requiring them
to give satisfactory account of themselves.
Last night, about 10 o'clock, man came
from West Pennington with report that
two suspicious looking characters had been
seen about town. Upon this information be-
ing received, A. L. Moor, at the head of half
dozen athletic young men, started for West
Pennington. After passing over Gentle
bridge, the party separated, each man taking
different route. As Mr.. Moor was passing
up the main street Of West Pennington he
was startled by the sudden appearance of
villainous looking man hiding under dump
cart by the side of the road. Mr.. Moor dealt
the fellow blow over the back of the head
with the butt end of heavy cane, but be-
yond staggering the man for moment it
seemed to have no effect, and the supposed
incendiary started down the street toward
the bridge, at the same time uttering pecu-
liar cry as he ran. Mr.. Moor was after him
In hot pursuit, and was ON the point of grasp
ing him, when his attention was attracted by
fire flashing up from behind the barn
owned by Mr. II. w. Lowell. Mr..
Moor at once abandoned the chase
and hastened toward the Lowell
property. When near 1T, another man started
up from crouching posture at the side of
the road. and sped away in the direction
taken by his confederate The fire was
quickly put out and further investigation
revealed the fact that there were materials
for setting fire to the store of ]. w. Hines
piled up against the clapboards. The shay
ings and kindling wood were saturated with
kerosene oil. The place where the incendi-
aries tried to start the fire is regular tinder.
box and if the fire had once started, nothing
could have saved the business part of West
Harrington from total destruction. This
morning two men were arrested near the
Maine Central Railroad station, but on CIV
ing satisfactory account of themselves
were allowed to depart
1t is not thought that the fiends who tried
lastnight to set the fires in West Pennington
had anything to do with starting the great
fire of Friday, but that their design was
probably to draw the attention If the Farm
ington people to West Pennington and then
plunder the town of Pennington
1t is said this morning that at least $10,-
900 worth of personal property has been
stolen or burned in the town. Safe openers
for the various manufacturers have been at
work since early this morning, and up to 10
o'clock had opened half a dozen of the lar
gest. All books and valuable papers came
out in good condition. The freproof vault
of the Peoples Trust Company was also OPP
ened and found in excellent condition.
John A. Stoyell, in whose barn the fire
originated, will claim $1,000 damages from
the Sandy River Railroad Company and will
sue for the same unless it is paid.
The underwriters arrived Monday after
noon and are at work adjusting losses. The
loss, it is predicted, will be nearly half mil
lion.
The committee of 20 ON ways and means
chosen at yesterdays meeting organized to-
day with l. W. Merrill, president; j. w.
Fairbanks. treasurer; j. H. Thompson, sec
retary and S. Clifford Belcher. and C. B.
Cragin, auditors. The committee also or
ganized relief corps Of members of the sew
eral religious societies to relieye those OF
connected with the churches, as follows:
Congregational-J.P p. Thwing.
Metnodist-Rey. i. II. Bean
Baptist-A. 5. Riggs
Unitarian-GeOrge B. Cragin,
Catholic-Father j. +. Hurley
Free Baptst-John L. Robinson.
1t was also voted that the merchants on
the ways and means committee be commit
tee to ascertain from the merchants burned
out what aid the committee can furnish
them. The president was directed to call
the selectmens' attention to their duty in re-
gard to fire inquest, and it was voted to
employ Deputy Sheriff Alonzo Sylvester to
look up the stolen property The secretary
was instructed to draw up petition to the
selectmen to call town meeting. Ameeting
of the ladies will be held tomorrow to make
bedding for destitute families.
Assurances accumulate that the business
portion of the town will be speedily rebuilt.
c. w. Keyes has already engaged masons,
ETC., for building on the site of the Arcade
Block. The old county building on the
corner of Main street and Broadway, whose
walls remained standing, win be temporarily
repaired for winter use. w. f. Belcher and
III. l. Emery will erect cheap wooden build
ings for the next few months, awaiting the
coming of warm weather, when general
resurrection Of the business blocks, dwell
lings. etc, will appear. The proprietors of
the Chronicle and Journal newspapers are
already fitting up new Offices.
The following circular has been issued by
authority of the committee on ways and
| means:
FARMINGToN, Me-, Oct, 25, 1886.
Observation-Disclosures you have heard of the
| calamity that has befallen Harrington AS re-
| suit of the coniagration several families ere
homeless and in great distress. AT citizens
meeting held last evening in Music Hall, it was
voted to have relief committee. Said commit
tee have invited the several traders of the town TO
correspond with firms that they deal with, asking
| them If they would like TO contribute any as
| sistance AS we have no desire to make general
| public appeal, we have simply to say thai if you
| feel kindly disposed and able to assist u.s. any
sum that you may send will be gratefully receiv-
| ed. III you have already sent donation to any
| trader here, please inform us.