The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1892-09-30
BROOKFIELD.
II. 5. REERs's STORE BURNED.

! Ii. ,. BEERS ; SIORE Bl INED.
Lightning struck the store of H. S.
| Beers about o'clock, Saturday. Mr.
| Beers looked for fire all over the store,
| but could not see any, but, a moment
later, the boys in the store discovered
smoke coming up through the floor.
All started for the cellar, but it was i'm
| possible to get to the fire on account of
| smoke. w. j. Beehler, Mr. Beers's
clerk, was at the barn. He caught up a
blanket, dipped it in a tub of water nd
rushed to the store, but the boys would
not let him in, for the smoke was so
dense. All rushed for the town records
and papers and then the store books.
They succeeded in getting out two show
cases, one desk and a few notions. The
ancient clock made by Mr. Banks's great
grandfather in l772 was destroyed. He
refused large sum for it, six months
ago. In 10 minutes, all were driven out
by the smoke. Mr Beers's stock of
goods inventoried between $1,000 and
$4,000; insured tor $1,000; Insurance on
building, $4,000. w. J. Beehler's loss is
over 5000, as his library of books was
burned. The bolt truck in the north
west corner of the store cellar, near the
kerosene oil and turpentine tanks. The
new post office, built by Yale & Towne,
a short time ago, was destroyed and
part of the post office records. The
safe has gone through a good test and
was taken from the ruins, Wednesday.
Monday morning, Mr. Beers began to fix
up his carriage house for temporary use,
while w. j. Beehler started ordering
goods, wiring to the houses which no
drummers represented. Tuesday morn
ing, they were selling goods again, only
losing one day of business. The old
store is loss, as it was kept in good
order. Everything was run like piece
of machinery. The floor was always
like wax, counters and everything
scrubbed every week, goods were kept
in their places. At any hour of the
night, they could put their hands on
anything without light and customers
appreciated it. Everyone escaped with
out injury. Mr. Beers has not decided
on the new location, but the old building
was too near the railroad. 1t was built
for Mr. Beerss father in 1854 and it al
ways bore the name of the old Beers
store. 1t was large two-story struc-
ture, with an L 1Sx26 and was one of
the best equipped stores on the Housa-
tonic line. No other buildings were de-
stroyed, though the grist mill owned by
NJ. Mcnamara of New Milford was Bills
tered and slightly damaged. Mr. Beers
has been in business for 30 years. He
succeeded his father when he died. Peo-
pie from the surrounding towns drove
20 miles to see the ruins, Sunday.
Dick Nancy has resumed his old route
through Brookfield on Fridays, since the
withdrawal of Julius Brakeman.
c. B. Hawley and family visit the old
homestead in Whisconier.
A new hymn board has been presented |
to st. Paul's by some unknown friend.
The burning of Henry S. Beers's store
and contents by lightning makes an
other vacant place at the Iron Works. |
The store had been quite recently thor
oughly renovated aud repaired, in such
manner as to rank it among the finest
and best equipped country stores. The
building was owned by his mother, the
stock including Mr. Beers's undertaking.
1t is hoped that Mr. Beers will not be so
discouraged as not to rebuild.
Mrs David Barnum was guest of Mrs
John Hawley, Sunday.
Frank Whitcome was expected at the |
rectory, Monday, for short visit.
The congregation at st. Paul's, Sun
day, was highly favored by the music,
which from its character and rendering
contributed SO much to that inspiration
which it alone can give. Charles b.
Hawley presided at the organ, showing
how effective it can be made in the serv-
ice in the hands of a professional organ
ist. Mrs Hawley's fine soprano was
shown with good effect in the lie Deum
and Miss Clara alto in the solo during
the offertory.
Stanley Terrill has been shihgling the
lower roof of the tower of st. Paul's.
f.