The Press., 1898-09-22

Nelson ToWne has sold the wright place on the upper Hollow road to An ders Jacobsen.
 The fire department will have Hayden's orchestra of Rockville for music at their annual ball Wednesday evening, the sec- ond night of the fair. David Bissett and B. J. Mullins will prompt.
 George Bassow and family left Monday for Dalton, Mass. After visit there Mir. Bassow will go to the medical col lege at Baltimore, Md, where he will continue the study of medicine.
 The annual meeting of the Congrega- tional ladies' foreign and home mission ary societies was held at Mrs. G. H. Bakers Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Baker was chosen president and Mrs. W. E. Demond vice president of both socie- ties; Mrs. Wm. Smith secretary and treasurer of the foreign foreign, and Mrs. James Mclaughlin secretary and treas urer of the home society; directors, Mrs. E. 0. Dennis, Mrs. w. H. Smith, Mrs. W. H. Cooley, Mrs. Charles Holt, Mrs. c. Allen, Mrs. Wm. Burwell.
 Two Men Burned to Death in the LOck-Up. As Henry Lannigan, an employe of Rawitser & Bros. mill, was on his way to his work about o'clock last Satur- day morning, he noticed smoke issuing from the front of the engine house. h. vestigation showed that there was fire in the detention cells on the other side of the building. An alarm was rung in, and a line of hose was laid from a hydrant as soon as the hremen arrived. The fire had not gained much headway, and 1t was quickly extinguished.
 The fire was easily handled, but during the brief time that 1t burned two lives were lost. Two strong men, in the flush of healthy manhood, were overpowered by the flame and smoke. With no op- pOrtunity for 8 struggle with grim death. Ernest Banford and John Marsh died in the narrow cells of the detention room. The body of John Marsh, who occupied the first cell from the entrance, was found doubled up, face downward, near the door of the cell. It Is possible that he made a struggle for escape before the end came. It was in the cell occupied by Marsh that the fire started, and his body was badly burned. His face was charred beyond recognition. One arm was burned of, and the other partially. The upper part of his body was also severely burned. Banford occupied the next cell, and his death was caused by suffocation, as the woodwork of the cell shows no sign of having ignited. The body was found face downward on a blanket on the floor of the cell. The indications are that he was awakened by the discomfort of the smoke and rolled from the bunk, taking the blanket with him. His face was pressed into the blanket when the body was found. It Is probable that his death was comparatively painless.
 As sorn as possible after the fire was extinguished entrance was made by the physicians, Dr. G. l.. Nichols and Dr. 0. H. David. Hope was felt that something might be done, but a cursory examina- ton showed that medical aid was of no avail. Medical Examiner Newton was called to view the bodies, after which they were removed to the engine house on stretchers. Coroner Phelps of Rock vile was summoned, and held an informal inquest at 9 o'clock in the afternoon. Just how the fire was caused is a mys- cell occupied by Marsh shows that the fire burned longest there, and therefore must have started at that point. Direct ly opposite this cell is a small room in which a barrel of oil owned by the bor- ough is stored. During the time that the oil has been stored In the room there has been some spilled, and the floor between the cell and oil barrel was saturated with the fluid. The theory Is advanced that Marsh lit a match to get better idea of his surroundings, or to light his pipe, and when he threw 1t away 1t started the blaze that proved so disastrous. Once started the oily floor made rapid progress possible. Officer Helm visited the lock- up at 2.30 @. m., with the idea of sending Marsh home, but was unable to arouse him. Teamsters engaged in moving the monument to Westford passed the build
 
 usual. It is probable that the fire was started between and o'clock in the morning. The men were put in the cells at 10.30 Friday night for drunkenness.
 John Marsh, 42, the elder of the two men, was hard working farmer, who re. sided just over the line in Wilmington He was industrious, and leaves a family who were dependent on his efforts. He did farm work with his teams in the bor. ough, and the day before his death was employed by W. D. Heald in the hay field. His family consists of an agec mother, a widow and one daughter. Hif funeral was held Monday at p. m., anc the burial was at Wales. Ernest Ban. ford, the other victim, was 26 years oi age. His life was @ failure owing to his unfortunate habits, which Is the more tc be regretted from the fact that he wal naturally bright, and might have had 6 useful career. He leaves three brothers and sister. His funeral was held from the Congregational chapel Sunday after noon, at 9 o'clock.
 The damage to the borough hall, ir which the fire occurred, will not exceed &160. A new floor will have to be laid il the detention room, and the wood worh on the walls Is badly charred. In tht next room, occupied by the steamer, |. part of the ceiling Is also charred, ant , there Is a small hole where the fire burnet through.
 II Stafford.
 Miss Edna Goodell Is spending a weel with her mother at Springfield.
 Mrs. George Francis and Mrs. Ellel Weston spent Sunday in Monson.
 The Phoenix Woolen company's mll started up Monday morning on full time Mrs. Annette Colton of Springfield ha been the guest of Mir. and Mrs. E. O. Pin ney this week. #