Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-06-29
Big Flrs-IneendIary Caught.

/ One OF the largest fires in this vicinity
/ for a long time occurred Tuesday after
noon soon after o'clock. II was at the
/ buildings on the farm OF Arthur c. slack,
situated one and One-half miles from the
village, on what is known as the JOHN
/ Corwin farm and occupied for several
| years past by George NJ. Young until pur-
chased by Mr.. Slack. who moved there
| from Randolph the 3rd OF last Marco. Mr..
| Young's family still lived in one part OF
the house, while he is peddling on the
road for A. &. Martin Of White River
Junction.
Mr.. slack's family consisted OF himself,
wife and a hired hoy by the name OF Levi
Johnson, mulatto Is years old, who
came from Chardon Street Home, Boston.
Slack was at work Tuesday for A. f.
Morey and had been gone since morning.
The boy was hoeing corn about ten rods
from the barn. In the house were Mrs.
Slack, Mrs. Young and her sister, Mrs.
Fred Hall, aud two small children.
The buildings, hich were ala consumed,
not so much as a board or piece OF timber
remaining, consisted of large, old -fash-
toned two-story house with an ell and
woodshed, barn 40x50 feet that was new
eight years ago and cost 900, which stood
a short distance from the house, and
granary opposite the house, just across the
yard.
horses making a disturbance in the barn
and went out to learn the cause, when she
saw smoke issuing from a corner OF tn
barn. She ran to liherate the horses, one
OF which was loose In the stall with rope
behind IL, the other being tied with a
heavy halter. She got outthe loose one,
but the one that was hitched, nve-year-
old colt, tore around so from fright at the
smoke pouring in from overhead that she
did not succeed In saving II.
The Dire sprean rapidly and In an incred@
ibly short time the barn was one complete
mass OF fiameA, driven by strong
wind directly on the house short dis
lance away, that was not long In following
suit. Charles Bixby,w no lives ust below,
was the irst to reach the scene, closely
followed byt be Beck withs and others VINO
sa " the flames from distance.
A quantity Of household goods were
saved, in just what condition Is not known
al this time. Included in the property de-
stroyed was fine colt valued At slOO, one
hog and three pigs, two calves, new Nc
Cormick moving machine purchased last
week and never used, a horserake, Tour
harnesses, one pair of them new TINS
spring. tons OF hay, Is solid cords OF
stove wood, express wagon, GOOD slelgh
and nearly all the farming tools man
would usually have to run a lsrge Isrnl'
Mr.. Young lost a moving machine, sleds,
several harnesses and other goods. ms
furniture was much OF IL packed IN the
chamber and was an entire loss. he mao
no insurance. -,
Mr.. slack was insured in the Vermont
Nutnal company for 81 800 on the whole
nronerty. distributed as foilows:-housei
s3o1. contents, $500; barn, $3.50 produce,
slOO. grauary, 800; produce, so0i toois'
carriages. etc, $50; live stock, slOO.
susnicion as to the fires origin pointed
directly toward the boy, johnson, VINO
.as hoeing corn near the barn. lie came
into the house for a drink OF water SNORT
time before the fire was discovered anu
was said TO have been seen in the nelu =.
work after be left the house, but ai'er sn &c
discoverv OF the fire he was missing ana II
was al first feared he bad been burneu ~
the harm. Later developments showed
him M ~ alive, as Samuel Beckwith,whl
non,iny 10 The are, met him going toward
Nershire. On being asked NneIe 49,
going, the boy said be was going ,oi pa,s
and asked the direction seross " ~ "a
wards. Mr.. Beckwith pointea ous .ne ~,
cslity. and he went in that dlreetion ~
~ Aid not 90 TO q. l.. Hayward :. oesLs .n
~ as made for him and yesterday ~ va va
arrested. confessed that he set the MY '. ~ ~
a. hearing was bound over 10 aNs i tu III
action Of the grand jury under sliVv 9a, ~
In default OF which he was commi'teu W
Mr.. Slack is a hard working young nlAn .
inst starting out for himself and TINS 70
severe blow to him.