The Somerset reporter., 1896-01-09
Canaan.

| about O'Clock, saturday morning. near
ly destroyed the business portion of this
village. The fire started ia the rear of A.
b. Penney's meat market aud with the
wind blowing a gale from the northwest
it rapidly spread to the adjacent build
ings The barber shop owned by Mr.
Penny and occupied by Al smith; the
| l.. Morrill, building occupied in the
upper story by O. A. Moody; another
barber shop adjoining, and the meat
shop occupied by Edward Walker and
recently purchased by Geo. Moore. were
the first TO GO Hopes were entertained
! that the fire would go no farther but the
wind kept up such gale that the flames
from the Morrill, building seemed
hungry to devour all within their reach.
An incessane shower of sparks was
blowing directly toward the store Of
Geo. w. johnson, druggist and hard
ware, the post office and public library
were in this building. 1t resisted brave
| ly for time but the intense heat was
such that in short space of time it was
in q sheet of flames. Brave hearts aud
willing hands fought to keep the fire
! from breaking out on the store of Mr..
Boston, occupied above by the family OF
DR.. l.. w. Shean and below by Mason
and Harris as a general merchandise
store. When this store caught there
was a wild cry for all knew that that
| side Of the street was doomed for quite
distance. The fire raced rapidly up the
street consuming Henry Johnson's hay
barn and shed and the stable. ell and
dwelling house of Alpha Mason, here
little space interviewed and saved the
blacksmith shop of Harris Bros. and any
further devastation. The village was
without any means Of fighting fire ex-
cept with buckets and ladders, and every
one felt powerless to cope with the fiery
fend. The family of o. A. Moody were
barely aroused before the fire was upon
them and only saved a very little, as
| they had no insurance their loss is hard
to bear Geo. w. Johnson and family
escaped With only the clothing they had
on. Mr.. johnson saved most OF his
valuable papers from his safe and the
post Office WAS also saved. He was insur-
ed for $1,000. Dr. Shean saved only a lit
tie and had no insurance. Mason and
Harris stock of goods WAS the greater
part saved, insured for 100000. The
hay barn owned by Henry johnson was
uninsured. By heroic efforts the house
of Miss Ann Wheeler which stood very
near Geo. w. Johnson's store was saved.
Fire caught in Miss sophie Wheeer's
house but WAS extinguished A blaze
starred in the dry grass on the hill back
of the stores, from the shower of sparks
blown that way and line of fire stretch
ing from the burning buildings to
piece of wood quarter OF mile away
was most terrifying spectlcle, and one
good ctiZ"n on first discovering it arous-
ed his sleeping wife with the exclama-
tion "Get UP the world is on fire!' The
fire was thought to originate from an
unsafe chimney. This is the third time
our little village has suffered from fire
within the last eight years, and is by far
the worst one yet. Twelve buildings
went up in flame and smoke 10 three
short hours and five families are turned
out of their comfortable homes in mid
winter. blackened mass of smoldering
ruins, properly destroyed, representing
the hard earnings of life time and an
other ugly scar to mar the beauty of our
once beautiful village. Canaan like
many another town that has suffered in
like manner must. awaken to the fact
| thar some means must be maintained for
protection from fire. The suffering
families are being cared for by friends in
the village, and have the sympathy Of
tNcIy ntflb lbI HidU IlIllts dlOuiid. al
are thankful that no lives were sacrificed.
A gentleman familiar with the situation
and himself II sufferer from the fire
makes the following estimate of losses
and insurance: Alpheus Nason's loss
81 700, insurance, 81 900; G. w. johnson
$2.700. insurance, $1,000; l.. Morrill,,
81 900 insurance $500; A. b. Penny,
81 900, insurance, $500; George Moore,
$500 insurance, $3.50; j. w. Boston,
81 200, insurance, $500; Nathan Harris,
800, insurance, $4,000. Other losses
~ere o. A. Moody estimated at $500 {;
DR.. Shean, 800; Henry Johnson, 800 !;
+. Walker, 800.
The watch meeting at the Masonic
| hall the evening of December 3lst., was
much enjoyed by all. A program by
the children, an hour of sociability, then
n concert by the Canaan cornet band.
Refreshments were served by the mem
beers OF Carrabassett Lodge, short
address by Mr.. Chas. Snow of Colby,
| finishing with poem very pleasiDgly
rendered. at l 80 the sermon began by
Mr.. Herrick, and continued until the old
year had passed into history, and 1896
WAS heralded as our new year. 1t WAS
very ahle discourse, and after wishing
NnNh ~ WV h"PPJ ANC" aiA
turned home happy. Singing by the
choir was interspersed during the even
ing.
Mr.. Herrick and Mr.. Snow of Water.
vile, who have been here during their
holiday vacation, holding meetings, were
much liked. DR.. Dunn came last Sun
day and the three returned to Waterville
Monday morning.
Preaching services will he held at the
church next Sunday at 1890, the usual
hour, and again III the evening at 7
o'clock.
Mrs. Gertrude Weymouth of Shaw
NUT, and little daughter, Muriel, are
visiting friends in town.
Miss Effie Crowell, who has been quite
sick is much better.
Miss Mittie Turner of Moors Mills, ia
learning dressmaking with Miss Sophia
Wheeler
Miss Lena Kicker, who was in Lewis
ton during the holidays, has returned
home.
Mrs. f. X. Cary of Fort Fairfield,
arrived in town last Friday night. to
visit Mrs. Cary's parents, DR.. and Mrs.
Shean.
Shellie Harris was quite sick Tuesday
night.