Connecticut western news., 1894-10-18
FIRE, FIRE! FIRE.
Another Landmark Gone.

Another Landmark Gone.
 At 9.2O o'clock last Sunday evening the cry of "Fire! Fire! FireP' startled the residents of West Main St and soon the Methodist church bell rang an alarm which was heard throughout the whole village and was quickly respond. ed to. Flames and smoke mounting to great height from West Main St. 1 revealed the locality of the fire, and the people from all parts of the village rushed in that direction but none could tell what building was on fire until they arrived within few rods of the | flames which were consuming the dwell ling house of MT Chester M. Deming. How the fire originated is not known but the flames had gained great head ] way before they were discovered and there was no possible chance of saving the building, for the wind was blowing gale and there was little or no water on the premises. The house was a large one. or at least covered much ground. There was wing on each side of the main part, and adjoining the east wing was wood shed. MT Dsming. his daughter Minnie, and his son John occupied the east part of the house. MT and Mrs Harvey Drum and their two children occupied the wess part of the house. MT Drum and family were asleep when the fire broke out. Mir Deming and son had retired. Miss Deming had prepared to retire. At this moment she remembered of leaving loaf of cake standing on 8 table in the kitchen. She was barefoot and clad only in her night dress but she stepped into the kitchen with the intention of placing the loaf of cake in the pantry. As she entered the kitchen she heard the roaring of the flames in the woodshed adjoining. She ran and told her father and brother that the house was on fire. Barefoot and scantily dressed she fled to the neigh bors for assistance to extinguish the fire or save the contents of the house. MT Louis E. Holt was making astro- nomical observations on West Main St. when he discovered the fire. He shout ed Fire" and then rushed down to Mir Deming's house to alarm the inmates. He arrived there just about the time that Miss Deming discovered the fire. The neighbors soon arrived end saved a good share of the furniture and articles on the first floor, but nearly everything on the second floor, and the entire con- tents of the cellar including 75 bushels of potatoes, was lost. Mir Drum and family were awakened. by the barking of their dog. They saved the greater part of their household effects.
 The fierce gale blew the sparks direct ly toward the barns and the tobacco building and showers of sparks fell upon the roofs but by almost super human exertions those buildings were saved by keeping the roofs wet with water brought in pails from Harmon Schamerhorn's house, number of rods distant. Scores of people worked theoretically to save property, and where so many worked so faithfully it is im- possible to mention names.
 Mir Deming's house was insured for $500.0O and it's contents for $200. % but the loss will greatly exceed the in- surance. MT Deming and family will occupy part of Frederick Gillette's house, through the winter at least. Mir Drum and family have found shelter in John Hoag's house.
 The fire removes another landmark, as the house was probably the second one built in this village. At least there is but one house now standing that was built previous to Mir Deming's house. The house now occupied by Mrs Hiram Eddy and family was built by Isaac Lawrence in 1751, and soon afterward MT Demlngs house was built. We can- not say who built the latter house but one of our oldest townsmen states that about century ago a man named Samuel Hyde owned the property which subse quently, ,and for many years. became the home of the late William and Lottie Lawrence. Afterward the property was owned by the late Edward P. Hunt, and for 20 years or more has been owned and occupied by MT Deming.