Daily Kennebec journal., 1903-02-20
FIRE AT THE JAIL.
Damage of $4,000 to $4,000,
Caused Thursday Noon.
Roof Half Burned Off, the Fire Start
ing In a ventiIator.
Prisoners Removed to City Hall-Loss
Covered by Insurance.

| sF'Ie at glhe ll&ennebec lallfs AL qDofls
time, yesterday, practically anroofes
| that handsome structure, ,nand caused
| damage shat Will reach far into the
thousands. 1t cannot be said bas yet
what the actual loss on the building is,
but it variously estimated at from $1,000
to $500. AS it is, the roof is about half
burned off, While that which remains
is in an uncertain condition, the ceiling
OF the Jail proper is burned through in
several places, and the interior Of that
part of the building is drenched with
water.
The fire was discovered by James
McKenney, janitor at the Court house,
who saw smoke issuing from one of the
ventilators. and taking a hand ex-
tinguisher, started for the Jail, at the
same time asking G.. E. Wilcox, who
was passing, to pull in the alarm.
The alarm was sounded from Box Sc,
at the corner of Winthrop and State
streets, at 1918, and was quickly re-
spended to by both the Cushnoc and
Atlantic Hose Cos. Cushnoc Hose at
once laid line from the hydrant at
the corner of Winthrop and State
streets. only to find it frozen and use
lCoS. llC III tlticti lllCH Ildtl " u1lcOuDle
and go to another hydrant.
Meanwhile the fire had gained addi-
tional heaoway and great clouds
of smoke We're pouring from the cupola,
the ventilators, and from every crack
and crevice which it could find The
flames We're working out between
the states in places, and at
east end Of the roof, around the
chimney, and before many minutes
the entire end was sheet of
itame. 1t looked as if the whole roof
would so, but there was good west
wind blowing and the flames made but
slow progress against it.
The work of the firemen was serious
ly hampered by the frozen hydrant.
Three lines of hose We're coupled to
one hydrant, and this reduced the pres
sure so that the streams could hardly
reach the caves of the building. Two
lines of hose were taken into a window
over the balcony and from there up to
the entrance to the attic, and though
tons of water were poured on the fire it
was slow work. The "all out" sounded
at 3.32
In the Jail were SO prisoners, includ-.
ing two women. When the fire was
discovered the prisoners were at din
ner, but they were at once set free into
the corridors when the alarm was
given. Sheriff Ham did not want to
transfer the prisoners, but at lis in the
afternoon, the smoke and water came
down in such quantities that the place
was no longer tenable, and with the CO.
operation of the deputy shefiffs, Mar
-hn1 Erlnn
ers were marched out of the Jail to All :
electric car, and taken to the police
station, where they will be kept until
further arrangements can be made to
accommodate them.
AS near as is known the fire started
either in a ventilator in the women's
part or from a defective chimney. 1t
worked its way up into the attic. and
in this way got a good start before it
was discovered.
In the front part of the jail, which is
occupied by Sheriff Ham and family,
the damage was comparatively slight.
Some water came down into the hall,
but the furniture, carpets, ETC., We're
moved to place of safety
The loss on the Jail lis fully covered
by insurance. Macomber, Farr & Whit
ten of this city, having $3.50 upon it,
and Herbert e. Foster of Winthrop a
ike amount
The Standard Heel Co., which has a
contract with the county for the man
1facture of mattress buttons by the
prisoners, suffered a slight loss by hav-
ing some leather wet, but nothing Sc
rious. Mr.. Child, the superintendent
had just packed five barrels of the but
tons, and they We're taken out of the
Jail in safety.
This fire was the hardest one that
Augusta firemen have had to combat
for long while. 1t was difficult to get
at inside, and impossible to reach from
The outside. owing to lack of ladders,
and the cold was intense, the clothing
Of some of the boys being frozen stiff
But there was one bright spot in the
fight, caused by the delicious hot
coffee and doughnuts which We're
served by Miss Hattie Holmes, who
lives at 80 Court street, just east of the
Jail. Miss Holmes may rest assured
that her thoughtfulness was thoroughly
appreciated.
County Commissioner J. w. Bassett
If Winslow, was summoned by tele-
DhO0e, ana came on the next train.
Commissioner Fl. II. Adams of Bel
grade, was in the city at the time. They
alked over the situation, and a meet
ng of the full board was called for 10
A. NJ. Friday, when Commissioner j. A. |
Spear of West Gardiner will also be
present. The first question will be the
care of the prisoners. and temporary
quarters until a temporary roof can be
out on the local one, which is expected |
% be the procedure as soon as the in
surance can be adjusted.
The presently tjail was built in 1853 at |
a cost of $4,000 and was opened 10 the |
public. Feb. 1, 1859, when Judge Rice,
Governor Morrill, and James G. Blaine
took place in the dedicatory exercises.
Sheriff Ham told the <JeurHaL Z lastt
evening, that he was in hopes to secure, |
temporary quarters atthe City building |
Cor the prisoners, until the temporary +
roof eourls be pat ~on, which he sssi mi
aopes could be done in a few days by !
rushing the work. II
Mr.. Ham occupied his usual quarters |
at the Jail, last night, having moved |
back his household goods, not injured |
IN the least and really having been in |
but little danger.
The sheriff told the Journal that the |