Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-28
THE AFTERMATH.
Condition in Laconia is Now
Most Appalling.
Problem Of Finding New Homes Con-
fronts the Inhabitants.
Business Houses Do Not Know Wha'
to Do for Quarters. .

Laco1ia, N. H., May 27.-With the
problem of finding new homes, new
places of business and fulfilling con-
tracts with plants and machinery de-
stroyed. citizens residing in Lakeport,
manufacturers and the Electric Light
Company, today, stood dismayed look
ing over the acres of ashes and cinders
resulting from yesterdays ire. yes
terday morning the sun sparkled across
the lake and lighted up pretty dwell
ngs which colOred the slope OF the hill
on which LakepOrt stood. Here ana
there church spre was prominent ana
the smoke from factory chimneys roll
ed upwards. This morning an eXpanse
of blackened earth, Il shaft or two of
blackened brick and the charred skele-
tons of one or two of the larger struc-
lures made up the picture. Early in
the day the principal signs of life in the
burned district We're afforded by the
presence of those who had come from
curiosity to view the ruins. Hhe vic
TINS of the fire. who until very late and
in some cases, nearly until dawn had
been engaged in attending to such
property as they might have been able
to protect or to save were taking much
NEEDED rest with friends or at other
places provided in the emergency.
In fact the only sufferers from the
confederation who seemed to have re-
ceived from the blow sufficiently to
make an effort early in the day to-
ward recovery. We're the manager of the
Electric Light Company, who took the
| e. i,, n,1n To
secure as quickly as possible a tenn
porary outfit for lighting the town and
to make arrangements for replacing the
destroyed plant.
1t was apparently too soon for others
to talk about future plans but as the
hosiery mill and the factory occupied
by the Boulia, Gorrell Co, We're owned
by the Lake Winnepesaukce Cotton and
Wooden Company which was arganized
co years ago and which of late years
gradually has been disposing of its
property, it is considered doubtful if
either will be rebuilt. The question of
securing immediate quarters eclipsed
all others in the minds of the house
holders.
A look over the burned district, today,
caused no material change in last
nights estimate of the total loss which
was then placed at about 100000. a
rough estimate of the total insurance
places it about two-thirds of the loss.
IN territory of more than 100 acres
there is hardly anything in the shape of
building rising high enough above
the ground to obstruct the vision.
The cause of the fire is still a mys
r &c tn hau c n rte N tho
boiler room of the hosiery mill, but the
flames We're in full possession of the
factory within Is minutes of the time
that they We're first seen and as no one
seems able 10 give evidence concern
ing the origin it is thought it may
never be known.
Some figures giving an idea of the
extent of the fire and the financial loss
involved were given out, tonight. The
Melchar and Prescott agency of this
city. carried about 90 per cent. of the
| insurance written on buildings located
within the burned district. The poll
cies which they had make a total of
s250,0O0, divided among 26 companies.
The total amount of insurance on the
property was 100000, and the net loss
as figured by the Insurance people is
| 100000. AS loss on insured property
| is total, and the net loss is 100000
more, the aggregate loss therefore falls
| just short of 100000. This is realty
| loss and to it must be added the loss on
personal property not covered by insur
ance. The whole number of buildings
| burned was SS and the whole number
| of tenements 104. In addition to the
| list of dwellings, reported burned, last
night. may be added those of Victor
Haffery and C. w. Il. Davis.
The local lodge of knights of Co
| lumbUs has secured theatrical COM
pany from Boston to give q perform
ance at the Opera house, Saturday
night, for the benefit of the fire suffer-
erS.
The work of the relief committee con-
tinues and all applications for assist
| anCe, both for food and lodgings. have
| been promptly met. 1t is now known
| by actual canvass that the number of
| persons rendered homeless was 4S3
! 1t is stated on authority that H. II.
| Wood will rebuild his hosiery mill. be-
ginning work just as soon as plans
and specifications can be furnished
| 1t is a remarkable fact that not a
single person was seriously injured or
| burned during the fire. Minor injuries
We're numerous. which is not surpris-
ing. as househOlderS took great chances
in their efforts to save a few of their
| effects