The Portland daily press., 1893-08-15

hiiASN', 81 uoHo COuIu W.
might be lost. From Cash S corner 10
the park many more were 10 10 seen'
but only portion had hed.
Mr. c. H. Nelson was just sitting down
to his dinner when the alarm was given.
He ran at once to the stanies' ioi Tue
safety of which he seems TO nave 'houstnc
even before his own property. lie at once
took command of a considerable number
of attendants, and with MI. hutchliis'
began vigorous fight to save the stables
1t was fight which lasted almost all one
afternoon. As,often as the Hafiies woulu
approach the stable the IRE would De
beaten out or extinguished with water
from the ditch. Ali the hay ana other
infammable material was gotten out OF
the way of sparks, and finally, when 1t
seemed that the stables must surely CO.
Mr.. Nelson began to get his hofses OUT.
There was much excitement during thls
time. Mr. Nelson led two stations away
at the same time, but they began TO DC
so frantic that he feared he would lose
them when he should get them into the
smoke But the smoke seemed to suboue
them and render them practically gentIe.
Finally, towards four o'clock in the
afternoon, the fire had been beaten OH
enough SO that Mr.. Nelson felt that the
stables were tolerably safe. He had made
tremendous efforts, and was completely
exhausted The members of the Mile
Track Association felt very grateful to
him for his efforts, especially as he
worked for the stables when his own
property could have been gotten easily to
a place of safety. As it was he lost two
trotting sulkies, about forty blankets
and nearly a dozen harnesses, all of
which were eaten up by the flames
within few feet of one of the stables.
He was intending to send some OF his
horses to the races at Dover and Augusta
today, but the fire both prevented him
shipping them, and put them out of con-
dition for a race today.
At half past four o'clock it was
thought that the danger had passed, and
the horses began to return to the stables.
Mr.. Nelson got wheel barrow full of
ginger ale, which he gave to those who
had helped in the fight. He also paid
them for their services.
Near the stables there is restaurant
kept by Mr.. Dennis Fl. Libby, and oc-
cupied by him as residence. All his
household furniture was moved out of
this, as he feared that it would go.
Meanwhile the fire had moved along
on the west side of the mile track towards
the club stable. 1t leaped the ditch and
attacked the fence, about forty rods of
which were burned or torn down. Some
quick work saved the club stable, but
the fire approached verysnear it.
Towards evening the fire sprung up
again in the vicinity of the association
stables. Mr.. Nelson had left for Nashua
by this time. There was considerable
excitement, and hurried evacuation
of the stables. The horses were all led
out hurriedly and picketed along the
road to Cash's Corner At nine o'clock
it seemed probable that they would have
to stay there all night, as the stables
were in an insecure if not dangerous sit
uation. Some small hose had been got
to work around them, however, and thus
the fire was being held at bay.
In the hurried getting out of the horses
considerable equipment was lost. Mr..
]. Wesley Hutchins's valuable horses
got out all right without much loss OF
material. But Mr.. French lost sulky,
some harnesses, and about sixty-five dol
lars in money.
The flames from all the fires were
bright on the horizon burning the evening.
These arethe owners of the forty stalls
in the club stable.