Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-13
NEW HAMPSHIRE NOTES.
The Fire at Winchester.

! New England Box Company's Loss Now
Figured at 100000, and Loss 10 In
dIvIduaIs at SI2, OOO--.3O Houses and
Barns Set ON FIre---Brsve Boy.
The Hinsdale correspondent of the
Springfield Sunday Republican, in writing
of the disastrous fire at Winchester July
4th says; The origin of the blaze is only a
matter of conjecture, though one thing is
certain, that 1t was not incendary. The
large plant, owned by Ansel Dickinson's
Sons and leased to the New England box
company, covered six acres. The main
building was 240 feet long, 40 feet wide
and two stories high. The storehouse was
no by AZ feet the wood shop 40 feet
square, the cutting up" building 30 by
no feet, and on the east storage sheds
covering three or four acres of ground In
these sheds there were four miles of end
less chain which was used on the carriers
that transported the lumber of different
dimensions to its proper destination. The
steam pump at tire plant was disabled
early in the couhagration, leaving only the
town steamer and hand engine TO combat
the flames until aid arrived from the city
of Keene.
The light and iuh4mmable box stuff was
taken into the air, half-burnt, by a strong
wind and carried eastward, scattering
sparks and cindefs in all directions, aud
the first house to burn was one fourth of
mile away, on cross road leading by the
handsome residence of DR.. Earl Evans to
Parker street, aud in the locality and on
the Richmond road six houses and several
barns were destroyed. 1t is estimated that
as many as 80 houses and barns were set
on fire 10y the falling cinders and sparks
within tue village limits, and were saved
by the energetic exertions of the citizens.
At Naramore's, three fourths of a mile
away, there was in the house only boy
scarcely / years old. He saw that the
roof was on fire and rushed out to find
help; not seeing anybody within call, he
bethought himself of the horse in the barn.
and endeavored to lead him out, but tn ,
flames were 50 near that the frightened
animal would not stir Then the brave
little fellow got a blanket, threw it over
the horses head, and led him to place of
safety. A fire was never known to do
such erratic and freakish mischief in the
short space of two hours.
Wild estimates we're at first made re
garding the loss, running all the way from
go, 90 ~ $lGO, 600. more careful est
mate fixes the loss Of the Dickinsons and
the New England box company at $lOO, 900.
insured for about one half its value, and
the loss to private individuals from SIC, 900
to $4,000, partially insured. There seems
to be strong probability that the plant
will not be rebuilt, but the box company
will make additions to its shops in Orange,
Baldwinvile aud other places, and thus
take the business from Winchester. There
are reasons for this course. The pine lum-
Der in southwest New Hampshire is being
exhausted, the railroad facilities for trans
porting the product Of the shops are not of
the best, and the business can be done to
better advantage nearer the railroad CEN
tres. On the other hand there are those
who say that the Dickinsons have plenty of
lumber aud can rebuild the shops with the
money received for insurance, and that
with their characteristic energy and push
new buildings will soon rise out of the
ashes, but the Dickinsons don't talk that
way. One hundred and fifty hands are
thrown out of employment, but most of
them will find places in the other shops OF
the company or at Swanzey or lower
Ashuelot.