The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-10
DEERING.
The T.. J. Perkins Mansion Badly
Damaged by Fire.

Splendid Work by the Deering Fire De-
partment.
Yesterday forenoon, soon after ten
O'Clock, an alarm of fire was brought
to the engine room in Lewis hall at
Woodfords Some of the iremen had
just been engaged in Harvesting the
horses for practice, otherwise the horses
would not have been there. They had
just taken off the harness when the
alarm came. They put it on again In
fifty seconds. The fire was IN the large
mansion of L. J. Perkins, ESQ.,, situat-
ed on top of the hill on High street,
and one of the most noticeable land
marks and ha2dsomeest houses in Deer
ing.
The hose carriage was there and a
stream on from the hydrant i'll a very
few moments, the house being less than
a half mile from the engine house. 1t
was the quickest time on record in Deer
ing, and due to the recent custom, estab-
lished by Chief Engineer Moody, of hav-
ing the men practice with the horses.
The fire caught from the furnace. Mr..
Perkins himself who is approaching
seventy years of age, was in the cellar
clearing up, when he opened the door
leading into that part of the cellar
where the furnace is. The flames burst
out in his face.
By the time he had given the alarm
and the hose had come the fire haG
made rapid progress up through the
wainscoting. Unfortunately the fur
mace was III the rear or north end of the
cellar and the strong wind was blow
ing from the north, driving the fire
through the body of the house; but
away from the barn and outbuildings.
The whole house was so full of smoke
that it was with great difficulty that
the furniture was removed. 1t was al
most Impossible tosbreath, and lanterns
were necessary to see. Smoke was pour
ing through the roof by the time the
streams were put on. Nobody believed
it would be possible to save more than
the barn and sheds, and the one hum
bred feet of lighthouses. The wind was
blowing stronger every moment. From
1890 till 12.45 O'Clock, the. firemen.
worked with great energy, discretion and
SUI cccess for though the house was badly
quilted and the roof full of holes, the
frame was saved. -
Although at times the flames came out
through the roof and the dense black
smoke concealed the firemen from those
below. yet so we'll were the four streams
of water handled that for two hours
the flames were kept under control and
finally extinguished.
Considering the high wind, the inclem-
ency of the weather, and the insidious-
ness of the fire in the wainscoting, the
work done was remarkably good, as
good as possible, and reflects great cred
it upon the force and Chief Engineer,
Frank Moody.
The house was built about twenty
years go by Mr.. Perkins, and cost
$4,000. Only two ye ars ago he expended
$4,000 upon it, and it was never i'll better
condition. The place has cost over &c.,,
600 and is valued at $4,000.
M f,H
ON his house and $1,000 on his furni-
ture, with Pal mer, Anderson & Co.
The insurance on the house was divided
between the Rochester, German and
Northeastern. and that on the furniture
was in the American. There was an in
surance on the sons furniture of $500
with Rollins & Adams in the Penn
sylvania.
Had the flames once got control and
the cinders begun to fly in the strong
wind there is no telling what would
have happened. Col. Adams's fine man
sion was in line with the wind and is
scarcely more than one hundred yards
distant.
When the fire broke out, and before
the hose had arrived, Mrs. Helen Banks,
who lives close at hand and knows
the house thoroughly rushed in and
saved several invaluable crayon por-
taits of deceased mem bers of the family.
Mr.. Perkins was alone in the house.
His wife is in New York with mar
ried daughter, Mrs. Phil Mosher, form
erly of Woodfords, who is ill. Miss
Grace Perkins, the only child now be-
ing at home, was in the city. A II of her
clothing was burned, as was most of
that of her parents.
Mr.. Will Perkins, manager of the res
turant at Brunswick station, received
telegram from his wife, who was in
Portland, just in time to step on the
1.3O train. He arrived just as the fire
was put out.
Mr.. Frank Ramdsell, one of the hard
est workers, cut himself very badly be-
tween the fingers with glass.
This fire and its successful extinguish-
ment makes the following facts especi-
ally pertine nt. The Deering city govern
ment proposes to purchase the Riggs
property directly opposite the City hall,
and use the building thereon for an en-
CINE house and stable. 1t is now &C.
cupied by the Golden Cross and Odd
Fellows societies. The present engine
uoo,>o i, Ci+u building will no mead