Connecticut western news., 1895-01-17
GREAT HARRINGTON.

The most destructive fire that has oc- cured in this village since the burning of the Congregational church was that which broke out in the third story of the Berkshire block lastFriday morning. The fire was discovered about 30 and an alarm was given. The fire company got the steamer and hose apparatus out as soon as possible and for almost three hours five we'll directed streams were poured into the burning building. Be- fore 10 o'clock the flames were extin- guished. The roof was burned off and every room in the upper story was greatly damaged by fire. The second story was so damaged by water that it also will have to be more or less rebuilt | The first story, which was occupied by the post office, though drenched with water was unipjured. Postmaster Hin- man had the post office boxes and all the government property moved to a vacant room in the Parker block. It Is believed that all letters were saved and by 10 30 o'clock the office was ready to distribute mail The Berkshire block, we'll known as the Berkshire House. was built by the late George R Ives in 1889 40 and was popnlar hotel until chang ed into a business block about two years ago. The walls of the structure were uninjured and the work of recon structing the interior has already been begun. The property is owned by P. A. Russell, o. N. Gilbert and John L.. Dodge The first two had a partial in- surance while Mir Dodge was not 1nsur- ed. John O. Benton, shoe dealer, Orren c Houghtailing, millinery goods, I. R. Prindle. jeweler, Frank Burtch, news and stationery, were more or less dam aged by water. All but MT Burtch were insured A. o Collins. John O. Wheel CT, Charles Giddings, W B. Sanford. re- moved their law and insurance offices to other quarters without much damage. | o F. Murrow, who kept the Berkshire restaurant, lost nearly all his goods and was not insured. Mrs Munsell, Mss Strickland, Fred Wood, William Stan ley, who had furniture stored in the sthird story, lost all their property and are without insurance. The furniture owned by Louis L. Jenkins, of New York and this village. was saved through the exertiops of Charles M Gibbs As near as could be determined the fire originated Tn the room of the Crescent | street side of the block.
 After an illness of about week John Stone, ST., died Friday morning. He was born at Housatonic in 1882. and has lived in this town most of his life. He had been employed as clerk at various times by nearly all the grocery mer- chants in the village. At the time of last sickness he was clerk for Samuel A. Sanford on Main street. MT Stone leaves a second wife and four children. Of these there are two sons by his first marriage, and one son and daughter by his second wife.
 Rev Charles O. Painter died suddenly of heart disease at Washington, D. O., on the night of Sunday, Jan. 13 The deceased was born in Virginia in 1882, where his father was 8 we'll known clergyman. MT Painter graduated from Williams college and studied theology at the Andover seminary. His first pas torate was over the Congl Church oi New Marlboro, Mass, and while there he married Miss Msrtha Gibson, the daughter of Noah Gibson of that place. After holding several other pastorates MT Painter became professor at the Fisk university. After this he was appoint ed agent of the Indian Rights associs- tion, and two years ago he was appoint ed au Indian commissioner, and in this position his services had been of the first importance. MT Painter had spent much of his time in Washington and also at his pleasant summer home in this village. He leaves a widow and one son, Charles F.. a student in the Harvard Medical school. The funeral I was held yesterday afternoon at p. m. at the Congl church of this place, Revs Furwell, of Stock kbridge, and Mallory. of Lenox. officiating in the absence oi Rev Dr Marvin. Burial in the Mahaiwe cemetery