Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-08-22
NORTON.
THURSDAY An URlUCEY DAY FOR NORTON
Too Much Water! and
Too Much Fire

LOU huCh iTt
Scarcely had the excitement abated
OF pulling IL much frightened young
mnu, and a drowned horse (the latter
owned 10y Messrs Connolly l. SOM out
OF the mill pond, than we were startled
by the cry OF
FIRE !
a dense smoke issuing from the lum
Der yard of Mr.. A. NJ. Stetson soon
told where il was. Men ran and began
tearing down piles OF lumber, putting
it into the river, Others formed line
from the river up the steep bank and
passed pals OF water, and at the same
time hose from the mill pump threw
out good stream, but the dry and
combustible material soon gained the
mastery, and unless help came very
soon every building was doomed. Mr..
Stewart Baldwin, manager for Mr..
Stetson asked Coaticook to send its
fire brigade at once, and so prompt
WAS the response that in the almost in
credible short space OF fifty'tive minutes
after the message was sent, the fire
brigade, under the direction of Mr.
W. IT, Edwards, had a stream playing
on the fire. All worked like heroes
desperation, while teams rushed here
and there with loads OF lumber, and
assisted in pulling down small build
ings which might feed the flames. The
air was motionless except what wind
was created by the flames, but later on
towards morning there sprang up q
stiff breeze which fortunately blew
from the mill, and little danger to
buildings was apprehended. BY this
time something over million feet of
choice lumber was in ashes. The wind
in this favorable position allowed the
men to breathe little easier, and to
} think the worst was over, bnt fate de.
creed otherwise. The wind shifted
and took the direction VI the large
planning mill, and the cry of
: Fire on the Roof"
brought every hose TO bear upon it,
and 80 fierce were the flames that re-
peatelly the fircmen were driven back
only to rush forward again, holding
; loose doors in front OF them TO protect
their faces, but despite all precautions
) several had their faces blistered and
eyebrows burnt. Suddenly another
I, shout went through the air, "Grenisr's
house on fire !" Too true! The fire
= had crossed the track and the house
5 was doomed two others quickly fol-
lowed next came the three large
double tenement houses, and Just at
%. III. the large barn and stable was in
one mass OF flames. 1t seemed the
grandest sight of all. If we may be
allowed to express 1t thus in such u
T misfortune. Another fire engine from
s Sherbrooke had just arrived, and got
: 10 work in u few minutes throwing two
+. inch streams through 400 feet Of
hose. The Coaticook engine threw d
|. SO inch stream with three sets of hose
:, and did splendid work. In fact, toe
= much praise cannot he accorded TIE
y gallant firemen of both brigades. They
|. all spoke highly OF their treatmen
here. The Coaticook brigade Wen
home but came back again on Monday
d morning to assist the Sherbrooke bri
@ gade which worked hard all day Sun
day. At this writing (Monday night
the fire is not subdued, but the heav,
is rain OF Sunday night did much good
and it is hoped the mill and wha
buildings are lett may yet be saved
A large force OF men are VI work nigh
d, and day digging large trench, 4 fee
Is wide, through the yard, land it is nov
y about 20 feet deep,) i'll order 10 cut Of
J the fire from the mill.
~ There are about twenty-five familit
I'LL burnt out, and the fields on Sunda
il were strewed with household good
rl etc. Through the kindness o.Mr. Ste
os son-who was to be seen everywher
during the fighting OF lire-all the fun
et lilies have been provided for.
; Mr.. Baldwin, who was suddenl
U. taken very sick during the progress
S. the fire, is able to be out again.
Mir. w. Il. Nelson, manager of Il
Steson Store Co., remained on Il
ground night ard day, scarcely takin
sufficient time To eat u lunch.
10 A continuous stream OF people wit
teams poured into Norton OH Sunds
TO view the ruins.
at The fire caught in several places ne
yo this u. Il. X. station, but was prompt
eXtinguished, and u gang Of men p
on by the agent to guard and prote
ICE the company's property.
,ot A little boy was badly hurt by
double wagon passing over his Shot
der.
he 1t is estimated that nearly three III
nd lion feet of lumber was consumed, III
:, the total loss will be very great.