Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-23
A TOTAL LOSS.
Stubborn Fire on Cony Street
Early This Morning.
The Historic Cony Female Academy
Building Totally Destroyed.
Other Property in Danger but Saved by
Hard Work.

1
block on July g. 1896, has Augusta been
visited with SO stubborn a fire as that
| which broke out in the old Acadamy
building on Cony street at an early
hour this morning. 1t was just 2.O9
when the alarm from box 3S was rung
in by officer Chadwick, who discovered
the blaze. For several minutes pre-
vous to ringing in the alarm he had
smelled something burning but thought
it came from the pulp mill. Then he
saw the glare of the fire and quickly
acted.
Soon the Atlantic and Cushnoc Hose
Company We're on the scene and hose
was unlimbercd and a couple of
the burning building. Somehow or
other the water seemed to have no eff
feet upon the flames and the fire ap-
peared to be getting the best of the
firemen. At 2.20 a second alarm was
rung in and the other hose companies
promptly responded. Five streams of
water were then poured upon the
building, now completely enwrapped in
flames, but unfortunately broken by
drant at the corner Of Bowman and
Cony street delayed matters for a time.
In the meantime the fire burned on,
sending up sheets Of flames and burn
ing cinders flew around in profuse
quantities. The building was dry as
rip-roaring style that for a little while
threatened to terminate in a sweeping
con1agration. The surrounding build
ings were of wood and in close prox-
unity to the burning structure. All the
buildings nearby were wet down, the
firemen believing it the part of wisdom
to do all in their power to save the
property round about, as it had become
apparent that no power could prevent
the utter destruction of the old acad-
envy. 1t was doomed.
Such proved to be the case. The
building is now a thing of the past
While it was burning the small black
smith shop, just south on Bowman
caught on fire but it was put out with
little damage.
I~,,;1J 1,x-I IAy, INV
dali Titcomb, Mrs. H. NJ. Harlow, G. Ar
thur Harlow and Mrs. o. S. c. Davies
Mayor Titcomb was seen and said tina.
the value of the building was $1,000.
It was occupied by Savage Brothers,
who carried on a woodworking establish
ment, and by j. i. Plummer, harness
maker, on the ground floor. Upstairs
Kicker and Glazier, painters. had quar-
fers.
The old building was a historic struc-
ture. 1t was the first church erected
by the Unitarian Society of Augusta
and was dedicated on the 18th of Octo
Der, 1897. In 1886 the Upitarians sold
the church to the Roman Catholic So
ciety and in 1916 it was sold to Cony
Female Academy. 1t was moved to it's
present location several years ago.
At this hour it is impossible to learn
the total loss or the insurance held by
the owners and occupants. In all
probability, however, the total loss will
will reach $4,000.
Had there been brisk wind blowing
| the Old Fort plaza, Cony and Willow
streets would have been swept. As it
was, it required extra efforts on the part
of the firemen to save the wooden build
| ings In the vicinity.
| Late advices are to the effect that Saw
age Brothers had an insurance on their
stock In trade, but the amount could not
be learned. The other occupants. Kicker,
Continued on page 81