News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-10-15
FIRE AT HYDE PARK.
The Depot and Freight House Completely
Destroyed Early Saturday Morning.

The Depot and Freight House Completely.
Destroyed Early Saturday Morning.
Last Saturday morning at about
one O'Clock the roof of the railroad
station was discovered to be on fire
by Harry Nichols, who lives nearby
and was up at that time because of
sickness in his family. 0. A. Emer-
son, the Hide House Waterman, and
Carl Terrill, the night man at the en-
gine house, also saw the fire, and the
three gave general alarm, Carl blow
ing the engine whistle "for all it was
WORTH" The steam-mill whistle also
sounded the alarm and in short
time large force was on hand; but
the flames had made such rapid head
way that it was impossible to save
the building. Everything was re-
moved from the interior of the Office,
with the exception of the ticket cases
and some record books. Some ex-
press in the ticket office was saved,
but that which was in the baggage
room, a small amount, was lost, as
was also the only piece of baggage
there, a trunk belonging to Emil
Paul. A lot of other stuff, including
some tools belonging to Geo. Brill
was also lost-in fact nothing was
got out of the baggage-rOom. The
freight house which stood within a
dozen feet of the depot was also
burned, but with the aid of large
force of helpers everything therein
was saved. The tool house adioin-
ing and the water-hOuse across the
track were saved, but it took large
force of men and much fighting to
save them as the flames we're decided
ly warm. Fortunately there was not
much wind, so the sparks did not
spread very much As it was, cinders
were found next day in various parts
of the village. The fire broke out at
about one O'Clock and at three all
that was left OF our handsome depot
and commodious freight house was
mass of smouldering ruins. Engi-
neer Underwood as soon as the alarm
was sounded, got out his engine and
moved several freight cars to place
of safety.
The fire evidently caught from the
furnace fue as wood fire had been
started that day. Station Agent
Brill reports that he inspected the
furnace, which WAS located in the
baggage-rOOm, the last thing before
leaving that night aud that every
thing appeared to be all right.
The depot was one of the best on
the line, having been extensively re-
paired when moved to this side of the
track few years ago. Last spring
it was thoroughly renovated by rail-
road employees from Boston.
No arrangements have as yet been
made as to a new depot. The rail-
road folks impart no information as
to their intentions. In all probabil-
ity building will be put up at once.
NOTES.
Hyde Park ought to have fire de-
partment. The days of the bucket
brigade have gone by.
Several came over from Morrisville
and Cady's Falls ready to help, but
the buildings could not be saved.
"Too bad!" remarks everybody
and twill we get another just as
good" is the prevailing question.
D. D. Davis, representative of the
American Express Co., has been here
the past few days looking up express
lost, or claimed to be lost, in the re-
cent depot fire.
The man who made the best time
in getting to the fire is said to be
John Scofeld. He meandered down
the hill with the alacrity of an old
time sprinter-all because he thought
his mill was on fire.
A piano belonging to Mrs. W. W.
Holbrook was in the freight house
when the fire broke out, but by the
herculeau Efforts OF many it was re-
moved and it's only ill-effects is slight
ly knocked out of tune.
Everybody worked heroically, but
the great honOrs go to "the Elder"
who mounted the water-house and
standing on the ridge-pole poured
water over the building, thereby saw
ing it from the threatening flames.
Emil Paul, temporarily stopping at
the Ph9nix, lost his trunk at the de-
pot fire. Besides containing wearing
apparel, there was in it a large
amount OF sheet music and a lot of
souvenirs of very great value to the
owner.
1t is suggested that a two, story
depot would be the proper thing, and
it is hoped the railroad people will
have this in mind. Had there been
an occupant of the depot the fire
might have been detected in season
to prevent loss of the building.
Station Agent Brill now transacts
business in passenger car on side
track. He feels as big as Clement did
when perambulating about the coun-
try in a private car during the late
campaign. Brill hopes that his side
track will not last as long as Glenn
ent's will.
The story is told that Geo. Brown
awoke about two hours after the fire
had been discovered and seeing the
lurid sky hastily dressed and went