Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-02-22

hbUFy Rogers, " no went 10 hDgHilOn NC
attend his fathers funeral, returned Ia
work in the Salisbury factory Monday,
A Destructive FIRE.
About 2:45 O'Clock Monday morning
Charles j Storms, night operator at the
station, discovered that the buildings OF
Charles G. Blodgett on the corner of South
Main and Weston streets we're afre. Be-
cause Of some freight cars which obstruct-
ed his view, his attention was not called
to the fire until it had progressed so far as
to light up the surrounding buildings.
Storms at once aroused the Blndgett
household and gave the slarm, which was
taken up by the Seuto factory whistle aud
that OF locomotive.
The members of the Volunteer Hose
company responded TO the call with alac-
rity, but before their arrival eight horses,
COW and yearliDg had persisted in the
flames, which enveloped the barn. One
OF the horses fell against the stable door
So that the firemen were unable to open II.
The positions OF the dead animals indi
Gated frenZied struggles for escape, the
carcasses OF some OF he horses being piled
upon Others. All the carriages and sleighs,
with the exception OF one three-seaied
vehicle, we're saved, with minor articles.
but 20 harnesses, six of which were newly
purchases work harnesses, a lot OF robes
and blankets and a ton of hay were in
cuded in the property destroyed
Strangely enough when all was over fat
porker that had been recRoned with the
lost stock was discovered on a mound In
the pen, surrounded by several feet OF
water but very much alive and apparently
possessed OF its usual appetite.
Three streams OF water were soon pour.
ing onto the flames, but for long time
seemed TO make no impression, the fire
bad gained such Roadway and the heat
was so intense.
A large number of spectators and help
ers watched the work OF tue firemen, who
are warmly commended by all TOR the
energy and tenacitY shown during the
five hours they were on duty.
The root OF Cherries Holmanis house
opposite, which seemed In more immsdi-
ate danger than the other nearby houses
owing to the direction OF the wind, was
thoroughly wet and soon protected by the
coat OF ice formed.
As the fire was in the partitions be
tween the outer wall and one OF solic
plaster, iC was hard to reach or control
The whole interior OF the house wa
Quilted by the flames, and only the Charred
framework and a portion OF the outer
walls remain.
The larger part OF the household furni-
ture was saved, but quantity OF goods IL
Mr.. and Mrs. Blodgett's clothing, could
not be reached.
The origin ~ the fire Is not known, but
II Is likely that IL caught from the chin
ney or stove in the office connected with
stable.
Clarence Cole won the gratitude OF the
bows BY providing hot coffee for al.
An unfortunate accident happened to
one ot the firemen, f. N. Jerd, who was
holding one OF the nozzles. He YES in The
building and was being driven back hN
he smoke when be slipped and fell, and
I ne powerful stream from the hose struck
him with foil force in the right ear, bruis
ing the ear drum badly. Tue wound bled
proiusely. He was picked up In a semi
conscious condition and taken TO the
office OF Russlow a Angel for treatment.
The injury Is a painful one, but the victim
is getting along nicely.
The insurance, which amounted t.
81 600, was placed with the Vermont
Mutual company as foil House,
5000; barn, 800; furniture, $500. The loss
above insurance is estimated at y 800.
MIR. Blodgett has for some time been
doing an extensive and very successful
teaming business, and the loss OF hi
horses is severe one TO him. One team
was ia Woodstock for day and another
horse was out at the time. fortunately es
Gaping from forming part oil the hoio'
caust.
Mrs. Charlotte Montgomery, aged 81,
mother OF Mrs. Blndgett, was carried from
her he'd to VI. j. Montgomery's, but sui
tered no bad eff cts from smoke or fright,
Mr. Blodgett's family also stayed at Mr.
Montgomery's temporsr ~ while their
goods we're being moved into Emery
Steele's boarding house, just vacated by
Viii Slack
Much sympathy is felt throughout the
Tor MIR. Blodgett aud family
in their heavy loss, and general satistsc-
ton is expressed because OF Mr.. Blodgetts
intention to rebuild in the spring
Tuesday. George Bratnerd OF Montpel
Ter, adiuster, was in town and settled the
insurance, paying the full amount on the
house and harm and STA IS on the furni
ture, or 81 .474.95 10 all. This was very
TO MIR. blodgett aud the
prompt and generous settlement VIII
make the old Vermont Mutual more pop
ulsr than ever in this vicinity.