Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-05-08
FIRE AT WEST BRATTLEBoRo.
The Old Curtis Screw Shop Burned, Caus-

The Old Curtis Screw Shop Burned, Caus-
ing Serious Loss TO A. Eddy & Sons.
Shortly after o'clock on Tuesday even
ing fire was discovered in the well-known
building at West BrattleborO, situated on
the brook lust above the village, known as
the Curtis screw shop. The shop consisted
of the original wooden building, with
brick addition between that and the dwell
ing house. which was built by F. Curtis.
The fire broke out in the wood part OF the
building and was first seen on the side to-
ward the brook by Mr.. Miller, who lives OPP
posite on the main road BY the time the
alarm was given and entrance gained to the
building by +. J. Eddy, the younger son.
fire was bursting out of the rear windows
and running clear around the inside of the
shop. so that nothing could be saved. The
Western engine company was on hand with
great promptness, reaching the place in 10
or II minutes from the time of the alarm.
and getting on a stream of water quickly.
1t was impossible, however, to do more
than partially control the fire, and the
wood part of the building was completely
DESTROYED. and the brick addition was gut
ted. leaving only the shell standing. The
cause of the fire is unknown. If it was
spontaneous combustion, as is naturally
suggested. it must have originated either
in the walls or ceiling, which were filled
in with shavings to give warmth.
The building was occupied by A. Eddy
q Sons for their soap and ointment bust
ness, and also as a printing office. Since
the sale of their milk business some time
ago the Eddys have been making very
nice article of laundry and toilet soap, to-
gether with their Grown ointment, and
they were meeting with excellent success in
the sale of these goods. A large quantity
of the laundry soap had just been made
and stored in the shop. ready for delivery
to customers. The younger Eddy also had
his forms ready to issue an advertising
sheet to push the sale of these goods, and
this with his press, type. and other mate
rial is a total loss. the press landing bottom
side up i'm the cellar, completely ruined.
The loss on the contents Of the shop was
not less than $1,000, and on this there was
no insurance The building was insured
for $500 in the Vermont Mutual with SHEER
man IL Jenne. On this the loss was
practically total. 1t was the intention to
have had the whole property covered by
insurance two or three weeks later. when
the seasons business was well under way
and the returns had begun to come in.
he loss Is "a serious one 10 the EuuNs, ana
what they will attempt to do remains to be
decided. 1t is to be hoped that they may
be able to rebuild and go on with what
promised to be profitable business.
The work done by the fire company on
this occasion shows the good results Of in
fusing young blood into its management
for the present year, and the boys deserve
the congratulations which they receive.
While the fire was soon subdued their ser
vices were required for three or four hours
to take care Of the ruins. They were
served refreshments by the Eddys before
leaving
The wind was blowing strong from the
west at the time of the fire. which saved
the dwelling house from injury.