The Somerset reporter., 1900-10-11

patch. A furi her account seems neees-
sary. AT about IL ID o'clock everyone
within mile of the bridge was started
by terrific explosion. The same
moment smoke was seen pouring from
every window and door in the double
building, one side of which was occn-
pied by Savage d Duuton. Upon ar
irving at the sceLe the building was
seen to be considerably racked and the
chimueys askew. Three minutes after
the first explosion, another occurred
less powerful. Flames now envel0ped
the whole building and the discharge of
cartridges sounded like the gatling guns.
Surprising the explosions were caused
by dynamite and not knowing what was
in the buildings, all we're afraid to ap
proach for fear of another explosion.
After the first few minutes, however,
pals and ladders were obtained and all
took hold with will to save the build
ings across the street; the wind blowing
the flames directly upon the set of
buildings owned by Mrs. Maggie Newton
and the store OF Mr. Abel Kimball. For
q while the heat was so great that moth
ing could be done, but the wind shifted
slightly and the river being near at hand
plenty of water was thrown upon the
supposedly doomed buildings. The
Post Office goods and the household
furniture of Mrs. Mantor and Mrs Dun
ton, who lived in part of the same house,
was almost entirely removed to places of
safety. The threatened buildings were
saved only after hard fight as their
charred fronts reveal to all observers.
A small building purchased year ago
by Miss Minnie Holden for use as a mil
linery shop soon caught and was de-
stroyed. A boat house, containing a
house boat, war tied at the rear of the
burning buildings. Joe Newton, who
had charge of it made an attempt to
save it but as it was aground, this was
impossible, later others tried but the
flames were already licking around it.
Soon the bang of cartridges commenced
here, it being said that the boat contain
ed over bushel of ammunition. Forty
five minutes after the first explosion the
building fell in a mass of ruins and was
soon a smouldering heap. The safe
containing valuabes belonging to Savage
& Dunton fell into the cellar, where
there was fifteen cords of green wood.
Water was thrown around the safe for
hours and in the evening it was drawn
out by use of chains as was also the safe
belonging to Mr. Kimball. After the
the explosion could be ascertained more
accurately than at first, 1t can be
stated on authority of Savage & Dunton
that there was absolutely no dynamite
In the store, and If there had been they
would never have come out alive. 1t
was thought by some that the dis
charge of ten thousand smokeless
powder cartridges caused the explosion
but the smoke could not have been
more dense.
Probably the truth as near as will ever
be known is this: Mr.. Dunton was show
ing Mr.. Savage how a new repeating
shot gun worked, all went well until he
went to half cock it when it was dis
charged, the explosion was the result
and fire imm ediately. Our explanation
is that the shot penetrated twenty five
pound tin keg of powder which was
two thirds full, causing it to explode
and throw the fire all over the building.
Mr.. Savage, who was standing near the
door, got out having burns about his
head and face not of serious nature.
Mr.. Dunton, however, who was standing
behind the counter, was rescued by Mr..
Gilman as he lay among pile of ruins
He was badly burned about the face and
hands, his wounds were dressed by DR..
Nichols. At the present writing he is
doing nicely but his left hand which
was burned the most gives him much
pain and it will be long time before it
will be entirely healed 1t is not
thought now that the injured members
will be crippled in any way.
Mrs. Savage at the time of the explo-
sion was, fortunately in a back room.
She returned to the middle room, where
a., e. t1aA
had disappeared; she pushed out a
screen in the kitchen window and
climbed out to a shed and from there
jumped to the ground, pile of wood
lessening the distance. Afterwards Mrs.
Savage worked hard removing goods
from the houses across the street but
soon succombed to the fright and ner-
vous shock. DR.. Nichols was lmmedi-
ately called and Mrs, Savage was re-
moved to Mrs. Nancy Colby's. Her life
was despaired of several times during
| the afternoon but since then she has
| continued to gain so at the present writ
| ing although still confined to her bed, is
doing as we'll and better than could
have been expected. 1t will doubtless
be some time before she RECEIVERS fully;
feeling keenly the loss of many things
very dear to her because of association.
She Is thankful to escape with her life.
Mr.. Kimball at the time of the acct
dent was sweeping the side walk. He
was thrown into the middle OF the street
with his head and face cut and gashed
by the flying glass, but was not seriously
| injured.
Mr.. Gilman was ia that part of the
building used as grocery store by Mr..
ball, he was thrown by the jar In
a rear shed but was not injured
Mrs. Gilman was upstairs and made
her escape by way of the back stairs the
front way being closed against her
Rev. VIM. F. Slade was the first on
the scene and at the request of Mr..
Savage ran into the building to get Mrs
Savage, while upstairs the second ex-
plosion occurred but he escaped with
out serious injury.
The loses by the fire are the follow
ing: Abel Kimbal building, value,
IS 900, insurance, 81, 900; goods in store,
value, IS, 800, insurance, 81 800. Savage
& Dunton, goods in store valued at
$4,000; insurance, $4,000. George W..
Savage household goods, valued at
81 800; insurance, $3.50. Rock Gilman,
household goods, valued at $500; no In
surance. Mrs. M. NJ. Newton, damage
to house, 1920, covered by insurance,
further damage to furniture not covered
by damage. Miss Minnie Holden, build.
ing valued at $75; insured. Bert
Hilton, tools, etc, valued at $50; not
known whether there was insurance.