Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-10-05
A FIRE OF OUR OWN
West Randolph has her ex-
perience of the Fire Fiend.
The Smith Block on Main Street
Severely damaged.
The Herald aud News Drowned out,
but the Paper will be Issued.

On Wednesday forenoon about 10 O'Clock
smokewas seen issuing from the roof OF the
south end of the block owned by A. A.
Smith, and Immediately over the HERALD
AND i,Ews office. The alarm was at once
sounded and very soon several streams of
water were being poured over the burning
building, while willing hands were hasti-
ly removing the goods from the several
stores in the block. An immense crowd
NEARLY the whole population of the viii
lage) was soon on the street and consider
able excitement prevailed as there was
some danger OF other near buildings TAX
ing fire, but our splendid system of water
works proved its value on this occasion,
and no other building caught. The lower
story of the building was occupied by
stores and shops, there being drug store,
millinery shop, harness shop, jewelers.
shop and the Office OF this paper. All the
goods were removed from these places,
mostly in good condition. Everything
was taken out Of the HERALD Office ex-
cept the press and very little type was
pied, several forms being locked up and
ready TO print this weeks issue.
The upper story was occupied by Ryder's
Hotel and in an attic chamber the fire
started. How il started is unknown, W beth
er from a defective chimney, spontaneous
combustion, or carelessness. The furniture
OF the hotel was removed with difficulty
and in a damaged condition. Mr.. Ryder
had no insurance on his goods. The build
Ing was insured, but not sufficiently to
cover damage.
The firemen worked heroically and the
fire was confined to the roof and upper
part of the house. The roof was chopped
through and burned till it was utterly
ruined. The outer walls of the building
do not appear TO be much injured, but the
inside viii need very great repairs. For
two hours the fire was fought unrenit-
tingly, but at the end of that time ii was
completely extinguished and the shop keep
ers began to move some of their goods
back into their rooms. The building was
deluged with water and the lower floors
are covered with water which is still fall
ing like shower from the floors above.
We are moving our forms and furniture
back into the office and expect to publish
o IT paper this week, though perhaps tri-
tie late. Our printers are Hospitality
housed in w. 5. S. Bucks job office and
are at work this afternoon of the fire on
he paper, calling for copy, but vainly for
some Of IL, which was lost. The HERALD
AND NEWS is coming out OF the fire with
good courage and undiminished vigor. At
he present writing it is too early TO make
an accurate estimate of the damage suf- |
Tered by the different occupants OF the |
block, but we shall be able to give the de- |
ails later. II is fortunate that the fire oc- !
,urred in the daytime. and we have rea-
ION to be thankful that no life was lost |
md no one physically injured.
MIR. A. A. Smith, the owner OF the block,
wishes US TO express his hearty thanks to
he fire department for the splendid SER
ice which il rendered