The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-21
One of Which Proved Fatal
to David Black.

Westboro, Jan. 2O.-The Westboro fire
department responded to two alarms
early this morning, this being the first
time that they have been needed this
year. The first alarm was rung in by
Edwin S. Griffin at 4 o'clock for a fire
in the tenement house owned by Frank
Denheld on School street One side
OF the house was occupied by the owner
and the other side, in which the fire
started, was rented by Mrs Mary c..
Jennison, an Invalid, and also by Mrs.
F. A. Billiard
The FIRE broke out in the rear ell of
the house, and with brisk wind blow
ing, gained Roadway rapidly. Upon
arrival of the department, the whole
ell was in flames, and rapidly spreading
towards the front. George Jennison
and his two boys Charlie and Everett.
ran into the building and succeeded in
getting Mrs. Jennison, who is very sick
with heart trouble, out of the house.
ana she was carried in company with
MRS. Bullard to the house of John Grif-
nm. where she is still staying. The
rear part of the house is a total wreck.
ana the front rooms are considerably
damaged by water. No definite ac-
eount can be given as to the cause of
the IRE, but it is thought that it must
nave resulted from a defective Chin
ney, although the owner says that the
CHIMNEY was in good condition.
AT one time the fremen had their
hands fun, the sparks and burning
prands having alighted on the house
2I George Jennison, and starting a
sisnt piaze near the chimney. 1t was
put out, however, in a short period bv
the playing of hose.
Inc part of the house in which Mr..
Penheld lives was damaged very little.
he VIII be able to live in the basement
until the upper stories are repaired
MRS. Jennison lost her watch and bank
DOCK curing her hurried departure. but
TINS morning 1t was found and returned
70 the owner, as was also a rocket
book belonging to a. Mrs Knoy a
nurse IN attendance with Mrs. Jenni-
son. The insurance has been adjust
eo at 500 on house and furniture Tho
furniture belonging to the other fem
anus was not insured. The firemen are
very grateful to the neighbors residing
IT, ~ flaIilson avenue, for supplying
While this fire was in nroeress .
SECOND alarm was rung in for a. fire in
me mouse occupied by Robert Black q
soioler on Warren street. Fred ne
Woi1f quickly harnessed up a. team and
Dy order. of Chief James Mcdonald q
me OF nose and two ladders We're pIac-
ca IN the wagon, and in company with
me steamer, Mr.. De Wolff started for
J Ins scene Oh the new confiagration.
Wnen they arrived there IL was soon
that little could be done towards saw
ing the building However the steamer
boys quickly had a line of hose on the
hydrant but when the wrench was put
on the hydrant it was found that fhe
water was frozen. However. the hose
was quickly transferred to a small
brook near by
Ihe house was burned fat.
Robert Black, who resided in the
house, was burned to death, only his
charred trunk and head and leg homes
remaining. The last time that he was
seen was yesterday afternoon, a visitor
being at the house at the time. The
origin Of the fire is supposed to have
been clay pipe, which was used by
the deceased. Mr.. Black was in the
habit of getting up in the middle of the
night and having quiet smoke
The general opinion of the towns.
people is that he awoke in the night
and lit his pipe while in bed and thai
the clothing caught fire. Upon finding
himself in flames, in all probability he
got up ana started for the kitchen. Tt
get there he had to step down one step
and by the position in which the body
was found it seems that he either fell
down the step or was either suffocateC
by the smoke Immediately after hi.
entrance to the kitchen, as he was
found laying beside the stove, near the
step.
1t will be remembered that his wife
died few months ago as a result o.
has inc oh
her husband and a person named Ed
ward Riley, commonly called Buck
Riley. Yesterday afternoon Robert haC
a little party, and it Is supposed tina
he went to bed little under the in
fluence of something stronger than
water The remains of the deceased an,
at present at the undertaking rooms o.