Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27
TOWNSHEND.
Another Destructive Fire.

The TAFT Dwelling, store and Hotel
Building Burned Early Monday Morn
ing---OnIy small Portion OF the
Contents Saved.
Another disastrous fire visited his village
last Sunday night. About 2:3O Monday
morning fire was discovered on the second
floor of the large three-story building.
owned by G. c. Taft and occupied by him
on the lower floor as dwelling house. store
and harness shop, and on the upper floor
by his son, j. C.. Taft, as hotel. BY the
time the village could be aroused by the
ringing of the church bells the whole
north end of the upper floor was filled with
flames and it was seen TO be impossible to
save the main building with the appliances
at hand, the village having no fire depart
ment. The house was tightly closed and
the fire burned slowly, the roof of the l,
not falling in until daylight.
G. G. Tafts family saved a portion of
their furniture, but nothing was saved
from the store. Mr.. Taft, who is the vii
lage undertaken, used the upper part of the
l. Tor this business, and part of the caskets
were saved. All that was saved from the ho-
tel was part of the furniture in the recep-
ton room and two sleeping rooms. The
families saved only a small part of their
clothing.
Mrs. J. c. Taft smelled smoke an told
Mr. Taft she thought the stove in the re-
ception room was smoking, so he went and
looked at the stove and found IL was all
right. He then opened the door into the
hallway, whereupon the smoke rushed in
from the rooms on the opposite side of the
hall. He stepped back and told Mrs. Taft
the house was on fire and TO take their lit
tie girl, six years old, and get down stairs
as soon as she could, while he hurried up
into the third story to get the people out
from there. Mrs. White rushed down
with nothing but wrapper and pair of
old shoes on. DR.. L. j. Parker of Fitch
burg, who has been spending some time at
the hotel woke to find his room full Of
smoke, but thought he would have time TO
get his trunk out. Just then Thomas Blu
EFT shouted to know how he should get
out, the upper hallway being so filled with
smoke he could not see the stairway.
Thereupon Dr. Parker seized suit Of
clothes and an ulster which he threw ont
the window, and started to get out. but
was so blinded by smoke he could not find
his way and Mr.. Taft had to 90 up and
lead him down W. L. Sparks was spend
ing the night at home, but his trunk and
all his clothing but the suit he had with
him were at the hotel and burned
In all probability the fire caught from
the kitchen chimney, it becoming so heat
ed as 10 set the building on fire There
was no chance TO save anything on the
north side of the Railways, as the entire
north end was on IRE before it was discov-
cred. For this reason nothing was saved
from {. {. Taft's shop or store, or from
the parlor, dining room and Kitchen OF j
:. Iatt. The safe belonging TO {. c.
TAFT was taken from the cellar about y
NJ. Monday, and after some little trouble il
was opened and the papers and books were
| found 10 be all right. Mrs. White not only
lost her clothing but what money she had
by her. She is poor woman and has
little girl to support
The citizens. who answered promptly TO
the call, did efficient work In saving the
adjoining buildings. Carpets were nailed
TO the caves of the barn and the barn was
saved, although it was separated from the
house by only narrow space which was
filled with wood. The Rand house on the
south was also saved
The Taft building stood on the site of
the old Taft dwelling house and harness
shop and the r. T. Hall house. which were
burned in the FIRE Of November, 1886. 1t
is curious fact that now for the third time
the hand house has narrowly escaped de-
struction by IRE, first in the fire Of ten wears
ago and again in the fire of April, 1894,
being saved with difficulty both times
The house has of late been unoccupied.
and j. {. Taft has now moved his effects
into 1t.
The total loss, including building. store
goods, furniture and other household eff
tects and personal property is estimated al
SiOOO. There was an insurance of $500
carried with L. L. Walker of Bellows Falls
IN the Vermont Mutual and Union Mutu-
al companies, and with A. W. Childs &
20. OF Brattleboro in Hartford company.
Arthur Boutelle is home for Thanksgiv-
ing.
John Braley of Medford, Mass, was in
town few days last week
Miss Ada Albee is spending Thanks
giving at her home in Fairlee.
NormSn Ewings of Acton, Mass, visit
ed his brother, Samuel Ewings, this week.
Frank Bush, who learned his trade with
c. c. Taft, has a position as bookkeeper
with the Western Organ company at OF
tawa, Ill.
Inert VIII De meeting OF West River
grange Tuesday evening, Dec. /. There
VIII be business of importance, requiring
the presence of every member.
The Townshend Christian Endeavor So
ciety will hold sale of useful and fancy
articles at the town hall on Friday evening.
Dec. 4. The proceeds of the sale are 10
go into the Armenian relief fund. An in
terestlng program is planned All are cor
daily invited TO attend.