Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-12-16
WEEK OF FIRES.
THREE FIRES INVOLVING A LOSS
OF $4,000.
LARGEST HOTEL IN CHERRYFIELD
BURNED WITH BAPTIST CHURCH
AND MILLINERY STORE.

Friday morning fire destroyed the
Cherryfield house, the largest hotel in
Cherryfeld, the Baptist church, the best
church in Washington county, and the
stable adjoining the hotel. The loss is
estimated at s25,000.
The fire originated in the hotel parlor,
which contained a display of millinery
and fancy goods, and spreading rapidly,
soon reached the other buildings and at
one time threatened the business section
of the town. The twenty-five guests in
the hotel were forced to rush from the
building in their night clothes. The
livery stable and church were soon in
ruins, and only determined work by the
bucket brigade stopped the flames from
spreading to the adjoining buildings.
The losses were estimated as follows:
Baptist church and contents, $1,000, no
insurance.; Cherry field house and contents,
owned by Melzer S. Wiley, 5000, insur-
ance s3 600; livery stable, owned by Charles
McGouldrick, $1,000, partially insured;
millinery and fancy goods parlor, owned
by Mrs. M. s. Wiley, $500, insurance
$500.
The horses, carriages and harnesses
were saved from the stable. The burning
of the church was particular loss to the
town and parish, especially as it was not
insured. parish meeting will be held
this week to determine on ways and
means to rebuild. Mr.. Wiley will not re-
build the hotel.
FIRE AT SEAL HARBoR.
About 8 O'Clock the same morning fire
destroyed the new public hall at Seal Har-
bor. The loss is $4,000, insurance $1,000.
The building and its contents were
owned by F. H. Whitaker. 1t was about
36x70 feet, with granite foundation and
three stories in height. The first floor
was planned for large store and tene-
ment. A large hall with stage the width
of the building and twenty feet deep oc-
cuped the second floor. The third floor
was fitted up for lodge purposes with
lodge room 24x36 feet and ante-rooms and
was occupied by the American Mechanics
The ceiling and walls of the hall were Of
steel.
The building was heated by fur
mace and lighted by electricity. 1t is not
known how the fire caught. There was a
masquerade ball in the hall Thursday
night and it is supposed that cigar stub,
a dropped match, spark from a pipe or
something of that sort kindled the flames.
1t was after midnight when the dancers
left the building and the fire started about
2 O'Clock,
Mr.. Whitaker and family occupied the
capped in their night clothes.
BLAZE AT FRANKLIN.
Friday night fire destroyed the Metho-
dist parsonage at Franklin. The loss is
81 500; insured for $500.
At the time of the fire nearly everyone
in the town was at fair being held in the
Methodist church. Rev. G. E. Petersen,
pastor of the church and occupant of the
parsonage, was there with his family.
Nothing was saved from the building ex-
cept Mr.. Petersen's library. The loss
comes a serious blow to the society, and
to Mr.. Petersen personally. Mrs. Petersen
was assisting at the fair at the time of the
fire and did not have on her best clothing
even, which WAS all destroyed as was that
of the child, while Mr.. Petersen has saved
to himself only the clothing he had on.
Mr.. Petersen has been doing considera-
BILE in late years in breeding the famous
Houdan fowls, and had twenty one thor
oug b bred birds in the barn at the time of
the fire, as well as others of mixed breeds.
A dozen Of his most valuable pullets were
suffocated.
Had the fire occurred a few hours later
If is knnWn how pnah
might have been done. Everyone at the
fair turned out to help stop the confiagra-
tion and by hard work the barn OF Thorn
as Havey situated near the parsonage barn
was saved. There was no insurance on
Petersen's household goods nor the many
trophies he has won with his fowl, the
policy having run out recently.