Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-03-17

The stock in the building was very in1am-
mable, and when the flames got the least
Roadway they swept with tremendous fury
throughout the entire building. The en-
ployes had no time to think OF saving any
of their apparel. With great haste they
made for the street. Some of them were
unable to reach the street and persisted in
the flames.
II was impossible to confirm half the stories
that were told OF the dead and injured.
Some saw women climb down the telegraph
po'es, and others aver that they saw one
woman let herself down on the wires. drop
ping from one line to another, until she de-
scenled so far that she could drop TO the
street with safety. On reaching the street
she is said to have walked off without stop
ping to make any talk about her achieve
ment
A man jumped from the fourth story on
Lincoln street and fell upon the pavement
almost in front OF the main entrance. Four
men came down a telegraph pole ut the
corner of Lincoln and Essex Streets aud u
girl tried to, but fell. Two girls and a man
at a lower window on Lincoln street tried
to get out by means of II stepadder. One
girl succeeded, but the other aud the young
man we're too late. Flames shot out from
the window, and they disappeared from
view.
The rapid spread of the fire is attributable
to the character Of the construction OF the
building in which il originated. The build
ing was an immense structure, with extra
ordinary floor spaces
When the fire department had really be-
gun TO work the Ames building was past all
hope of salvation. That a contlagraton was
upon the city was apparent TO every specta-
tor.
Lincoln street in front of the Turning
buildings was a wall OF flame. The eye
could not penetrate beyond. The heat was
intense. The iremen could not get within
close range. They were Obliged to be con-
tent to do such service as they could from
II distance.
The streams which were directed full on
the fire produced no visible effect. 1t
seemed like an absolute waste OF energy and
Of water.
When the flames licked up the two build
ings in Lincoln street, it burned south to
the rear Of the United States Hotel, aud
west to the building of Brown, Durrell Il
Co. at The corner OF Essex and Kingston
streets.
Between these two buildings at the corner
of Kingston and Tufts streets stood the
Emergency Hospital. The unfortunate vic
Tins of the fire In the Amcs building had
been taken to the hospital for treatment, but
they had scarcely entered its doors when
they had to be removed to place of safety
chusetts General Hospitals.
This city has never experienced two hours
Of greater excitement than II did from the
time that the fire broke out until II was under
control.
lnstinctively every one assumed that
another destructive fire WAS upon the city as
soon rs the third alarm was sounded.
Explosion after explosion rent the air as
the fire invaded new territory Whether
lao hy nr
whether fireworks were a part Of the stock
Of some Of the firms located In the doomed
buildings there was no time 10 inquire.
Some said the detonatiOns were caused by
the attempts of the firemen to blow up the
surrounding buildings, but 1t was subse-
quenty learned that the explosions were
caused by the fireworks in Partrdge's store.
The state and city authorities were nlive
to the situation. So soon as II was certain
that q great connagration was imminent,
Gov. Russell, Mayor Matthews and Adjt..
Gen. Dalton held consultation and decided
that the militia should be summoned to
hold itself in readiness for duty. The adju-
tantgeneral Immediately dispatched orders
to the commanding officers Of the list and
9th regiments, the LIST corps OF cadets ana
the naval battalion.
The blowing up OF the WOODEN puiI9'nEs
between the Ames building and tho hotel and
hospital did much In that direction to stay
the rogress Of the flames.
The real struggle came In keeping the SIX.
story building opposite the Brown, Dlirrell
& Co. building clear. Here half dozen
engines kept at work, and the big water
tower threw hundreds of gallons of water
every minute.
The flames leaped across the street time
nfter time and frequently ignited the wool
work, but the men were on the watch ior
this, and the creeping lines were eXtin'