Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-09-05
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The thunder storm Of last evenlnG
was easily the severest that hae visit
ed this part of m state the pfSs0ll
summer. The lightning was specially
sharp and II was evident that some 6E
the bolts struck In or near the city.
Immediately following sharp nash.
where the peal seemed samuitansous. .
large blaze was seen to the east and
It was evident that some building had
been struck.
A Journal reporter was soon on the
way to the scene. Arriving there he
found the fine buildings OF Daniel A.
Hewins on the Church Hin road =
heap Of blazing Goals. They had
burned to the ground with astonishing
rapldity. and were total loss.
In conversation with the Journal
man Mr. Hewins said that he was In
the room with his wife and little girl
baby. only two days old, during the
shower. His mother and sister were
also with them. The hired man and
hired girl had both retired for the
night.
When the bolt came which struck his
barn 1t hit the weather vane and rum
ming down into a big NOV containing
between 60 and 70 tons Of hay quickly
enveloped the building in flames. Two
racks full Of barley which stood in the
barn floor served to feed the confiagra-
ton and add difficulties to the work Of
saving the stock.
"At the time the bolt struck" said
Mr.. Hewins. MY brothers boy and a
boy named Frank Mack were return
ing from meeting. and were nearly OPP
posite my place. They saw the flames
break out and shouted to me that the
barn was on fire. ! rushed out In my
shirt sleeves and began to let out the
cows. There were 19 in the tie-up all
OF which were saved. The Ave horses
in the stable were also let loose and
came out without trouble.
II attempted to get to the back Of
were in box stall there. but the
flames drove me back. and was
obliged to hurry from the building. All
Of them were lost as was also a hog.
and a number Of farm implements that
were stored In the barn.
The flames spread rapidly to the
house. Mrs. Hewins and her baby was
hurried into a wagon. and hauled by
the hired man and the boys through
the rain to the residence of Mr.. Hew-
in's brother Scott. where every care
was given her. and 1t is hoped no Ill
affects may follow.
The Mack boy. who had given the
alarm. and who had worked like a
beaver in assisting Mr.. Hewins to
carry out the household furniture. the
larger portion Of which was saved
was overcome by the excitement and
strain, and became crazed. 1t Is hoped
however, that it may prove only tenn
porary.
Mr. Hewins had easily one of the
finest-indeed many people regarded it
as the finest-set of farm buildings in
Augusta. The barn was built five
y.ris ago. and the house two years
ago. Mr.. Hewins estimated that they
cost him fully $60QO
There was no insurance on them, al
though Mr.. Hewlns had frequently
been urged to take out policies upon
them.
He stated to the Journal man that
only about a fortnight ago an insur-
ance agent called upon him and urged
him strongly to take some insurance
on his buildings. II 1t were not more
than $2OOO-but Mr.. Hewins decided to
carry his own risks.
The wagons and sleighs stored In the
barn were all saved: but several fine
sleighs belonging to MIR. Hewins and
George Pierce who works for him,
were burned.
1t Is little early for MIR. Hewins
to make plans for the future: but he
thinks he will probably rebuild. He
will have the sympathy Of the entire
in his heavy loss.