The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-01
TWENTY HORSES LOST IN THE FLseES.
G. G. libby's Stable on cresnestreet
Ablsze This MornIngA+
Mr.. M. n. chase's Escape from the
Burning Building.
The Origin OF the Fire a Mystery
Losses and Insurance.

There was heavy loss of life at this NOM
ing's fire. The flames failed to make man
their victim, although very nearly doing so.
They did succeed in destroying over twenty
Of mans faithful servants, only few Of the
2S horses in the blazing barn in the rear Of
q Green street being got out alive. The
stable was occupied by Mr.. G. E. Libby,who
carries on an extensive teamIng business.
Mr.. M. ii. Chase, the kackman, kept his two
horses and carriage there, and Mr.. Mark
Crockett had horse and COW in the build
ing. At about half-past twelve Mr.. Chase
finished his days work and put his horses up
for the night When he entered the stable
everything was apparently right, but as
Mr.. Chase was blanketing the horses he
saw flames in the loft overhead. II was the
work OF only minute to run to the engine
house on Congress street and give the alarm.
Mr. Chase also got out his own pair OF
horses and hack, besides releasing some Of
the other animals. In getting out his car
riage Mr.. Chase met with severe accident,
the heavy body Of the carriage coming de-
tached from the front wheels and falling
across his legs. Mr.. Chase. although not
able afterwards to give clear account of his
doings. owing to the severe pain he endured.
struggled back through the smoke, according
to the story he told to his physician, DIR.
Files, and attempted to loosen others
Of the horses. In doing so he became blinded
and almost suffocated by the smoke in a cor
ner OF the stable and escaped with difficulty
by breaking out window and thus gaining
the open air. SO severely hurt that he could
do no more, Mr.. Chase went to his home.
The doctor said that his patient had bad cuts
around his ankles and his lower limbs were
badly swollen, making IL impossible to tell
whether or not any bones were broken.
When the department arrived, and they
got there promptly. the upper part Of the
barn was mass Of flame, which was break.
ing through the end of the building in the
rear Of Oak street. Here several small sheds
and barns were also somewhat damaged The
fire pretty much finished the building In
which it started, burning out the roof and
the floor Of the loft. The flames were speed
lily checked, however, and then 1t became
only question Of time until the blaze was
out.
Mr.. Libby said that he had In the building
% horses four Others fortunately, being out
OF town. OF these twenty five horses, Mr..
Libby knew Of two that were gotten out.
Mr.. Crockett got his horse and COW out all
right, and as has been stated, Mr.
Chase's team was saved. This makes the
number Of horses lost % and the number
taken out five. but bystanders told Of eight
horses which had been removed II this
latter statement Is the fact, 1t accounts for
three more Of Mr.. Libby's horses. Mr.. Lib
by's carriages were saved, but his harnesses
were lost. He says his horses were animals
which would average about S165 In value,
making his loss on the horses $500 or over.
The harnesses burned would somewhat in.
crease this. Agais~-su.S' su.S' @t. L'ooy nAo
an insurance OF 5000 In the aeen.
Ailen, Jr., $500 on horses and $500 on q
ons' MT. Libby Is the man " no has recent
" ouiit up the extensive omnibus business 10
eash's Corner and other points In the an
ouros, and these lines will be temporariIv
stopped. Mr.. Libby has employed n man
some Of whom will now be out Of woIk
The stable was owned by George w. Ad-
ans Of Cornish, and was insured for szxo ~
,ne reopies Company OF Manchester, y. Y.
william Allen. Jr.. agent. Mr.. Adams also
owns the house No. 27 Green street. 10
"nich the stable adiolns. The house was
not much, II any. damaged. The occupants.
marx Crockett and Mrs. Athe Foss and
tnelf families, were ready to move. and
nleie Oh their furniture was taken out, while
more was packed up. Their escape was
lucky one Tor them, as neither had anv in.--
surance. "' '"-
over on Oak street, in the rear Of thu
burned oarn' Is house No. Sc, occupied nv
Iohce onicer Tbrasher and Miss Annie Ris-
ger. ana owned by Miss Martha Dyer. Al
nlst tne occupants Of this house and that a,
NO. w on the same street were somawhs.
alarmed when they found their premises Iit
.h ~ W sne Oiaze and hremen rushing through
Tue yards with lines Of hose. In No. 90
wnicn Is owned by Geo. Lord, live j. n
sawyer and Abbott Russell. These honses
were not damaged. 'N'''
Inc origin of the fire is a mysterv NJ.
Liooy said that the utmost care was nssd r.
me barn, according to his ins,rno,,e,
" !, nen horses were harnessed or Embarrassed
mere at night, the lattern 80
W away from anything combustibla orS
..eL "aIus laKen outside, where IL was laf,
osSioy MT. Chase can throw more Iigb, on
NC subject when he has gotten over The na,r
. was suffering last night. The blaza 49,
orignt light, which could be seen Al, onao
-, anu Alsracted great crowd, the dances
,'s . ie.1ing out adding to the number. Line
noso were laid from both Green and Oak
reefs and The engines kept steadily At worL
hsii Ine barn was blazing away in the midst
sniaii lake. The department are deserv-
g OF credit for their work.