The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-19
Does Damage
in Marlboro.
KEELER'S BRAVE ACT
Clad in Nothing But Shirt,
He Works Nobly.

Marlboro, Dec. 1S.-A house and barn
at the Marlboro Driving Park was de-
stroyed by fire about o'clock this
morning. Besides the destruction of
the buildings, four horses persisted in
the flames, and the occupants of the
house, Mr., and Mrs. Frank Keeler,
with Frank Sampson, who was sleep
ing in the barn had narrow escapes
from death. Mr.. Keller who had
charge of the track. was sleeping in a
room down stairs in the house, and
his wife, who recently submitted to an
operation, was in an adjoining apart
ment. Mrs. Keeler was awakened from
her sleep by a bright light which she
discovered came from the barn.
AWaking her husband, she screamed,
Frank the barn is on fire." Mr.. Kee-
Ter hurriedly jumped from the bed
lounge upon which he was lying, and
rushed through the kitchen into the
ell of the barn. The smoke was so
dense and the heat so severe that he
was compelled to retreat. Although he
wore nothing but shirt, he ran
through the kitchen into the yard to
the door of the barn. He attempted to
open the door, and then discovered that
Frank Sampson, who had been sleep
ing in the barn, was trying to get out,
but could not. Keller told Sampson
to get out by way of the scuttle. Samp-
son followed his directions and made
good his escape.
Keller, wishing to rescue the horses,
Jumped in through a window and en-
deaVored to again open the door. Again
he failed, ami once more came out into
the air. The third time he tried to
open the door, and was successful. He
then rushed into the burning barn and
tried to lead out four horses which
were in box stalls
The animals would not be led to q
place of safety and Keeler was COM
PEELED to give up all idea of saving
them. Sampson ran quite a distance to
pull in an alarm of fire, but the blaze
was seen by James Fee, Waterman of
the Marlboro street railway power
house, and he gave the alarm.
The fire department soon arrived but
the flames had made great Roadway. In
a short time the house was ablaze, and
before the fire department arrived both
barn and house were nearly destroyed
After Mr.. Keller had made every eff
tort to save the horses, he partially
dressed himself and with his wife, who
was also scantily clad, was carried to a
neighbours house. There he received
medical attention. Mr.. Keller is burned
IN several places and suffers much from
exposure. His wife was greatly pros
trated by the shock. Both, however. will
recover.
The loss on buildings, horses and
stock VIII amount to $4,000. There is an
insurance of $1,000 on the buildings
owned by the Marlboro park corpora
ton and $500 on the furniture.
The following statement is authorized
by joint council, No. 8 in reference to
the committees appointed by the joint
council to wait on the manufacturers
In compliance with the request con-
tanned in the following letter:
Marlboro, Dec Il, 1898.
Rev. -, Dear Sir:
At meeting of joint council, No s.
the boot and shoeworkers of Marlboro
held on Monday evening, Dec II, it
was voted unanimously to invite the
clergymen of Marlboro to meet with
the joint council in Hunters Hail. 1923
Main street, on Thursday, Dec IS, at
I.30 p. m. We do this on account Of
the many rumors diligently dissemina-
ted throughout our city Of the position
when you take IN the present con-
troversy. We are ready to explain our
position in this matter, and also to re-
ceive and consider any remedies
which you may suggest looking to an
equitable and honorable solution of the
trouble.
We sincerely hope on account of the
gravity of the situation, you will favor
US with your presence on the evening
named, and that good result from our
joint deliberations. Per order Joint
council, No. g.
II NT1-rrov-