Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-08-26
WILMINGTON DEVASTATED
FIRE CAUSES A $4,000 LOSS TO
THE VILLAGE.
Readsboro Chair Company's Factory
Destroyed = Two Residences En-.
tirey onsumed-Damage to Three
Other Dwellings.

Destroyed - Two Residences En-
trey Consumed-Damage to Three
Other Dwellings.
| The most destructive fire that ever
occurred in the town of Wilmington
took place early Sunday morning,
when the large wood working estab-
lishment of Readsboro Chair COM
pany, Wilmington branch, was entire
| ly consumed, together with the fine
residence of oscar +. Howe, resi-
dence of Hardy F. Barber, damage to
dwelling and barn owned by Mrs.
Frank E. Barnard, dwelling of Mrs.
Emeline 5. Adams and Il. NJ. Red
way
At about ) o'clock Sunday morning,
while the whole village was quietly
sleeping, a little noise from the whis-
tie at the mill gave warning that
sopething was wrong. The pressure
of steam was not sufficient to pro-
duce a whistle, just little puff. The
dread cry of fire was shouted. Those
who saw the building at this time
say that only a very little smoke was
visible, but in an incredibly short
time a huge volume of black smoke
shot up into the air and soon the
flames burst out the entire length OF
the factory. 1t was perfectly evident
that the fire had been in progress for
some time to get under such head-
way as it was when the flames burst
out Two watchmen We're employed,
Charles X. Ames and James p. Rus
sell but they are not able to account
for the fire in a definite manner. AS
the smoke belched forth and rose
higher and higher, the great cloud
settled down over the village like q
pail, and 1t seemed to every one that
the entire village was doomed and
that the fire would have its own way
until it burned itself out. An attempt
was made to start the fire pumps at
the mill but on account of the ire
and smoke it was impossible. The
only hope was with the engine which
was placed at the reservoir near the
residence of 0. Fl. Jones and the
water was all drawn out in short
time The engine was then taken TO
the river in the rear of the hotel
sheds and did good service from this
point. Meanwhile the Bowker house
was on fire and only by the most he
roic work was saved. Soon the
flames Tapped across the street and
the fine residence of o. f. Howe was
doomed. A portion of the furniture
was saved. The dwelling of Fl. F.
Barber nearby was soon in flames and
was a mass of embers III short
time. The dwelling of Mrs. Emeline
Adams was only saved by putting
carpets over the end of the house and
throwing water thereon. e. M. Red
ways house was badly smoked but
the loss is not large.
This fire is a very serious matter to
the town of Wilmington and 1t will
realize it more and more hereafter.
Yet thankfulness is felt that it
wind had held in the quarter it was
at first. the whole street might have
been swept out.
Word was sent to Readsboro and a
train was sent up with large num-
ber of men and a good supply OF
hose but the fire had practically done
its work People came in numbers
from Jacksonville and all other near
by towns, all anxious to help ana
the kindly spirit shown is fully ap-
preciated by the people of Whining
ton.
An old landmark is thus removed
and it is a question whether the fac
tory will be rebuilt. The original
grist mill, forming part of the
structure, was erected fully 70 years
ago Riley Boyd rebuilt and improved
the property in 1S545. When the
railroad came up the valley the miH
was all rebuilt and repaired by the
Wilmington Grain and Lumber COM
pany. in which the Newtons We're
largely Interested About two years
decided to rebuild and refit the mill
as a branch to their extensive estab-
lishment at Readsboro, A large
amount of money has been expended
and the whole plant was practically
new. new machinery had been put in
and the whole enterprise was just
getting into excellent condition,
promising good returns in the fut-
ture Moses Newton and A. B.
Clark the efficient manager of the
Readsboro factory, have labored in.
cessantly for the success of the un-
dertaking and this disaster is a hard
blow.
The town of Wilmington voted al
most unanimously to exempt the
plant from taxation for the term of
five years Nearly so hands were
employed in the mill and most OF
these persons will have to seek en-
ployment elsewhere. 1t is to be
hoped that a new building will be
erected in due time, but 1t remains to
be seen what can be done in the way
of sncourag cement from the town or
from individuals.
The insurance on the mill is not
vet definitely known, but is supposed
to be about $4,000 Owing to the
high rates placed upon all steam es-
and the lack of COM
panies that are willing to write fnsur-
ance upon such risks at any rate, the
insurance has been placed in lumber
and various companies that
are not bound by the regular tarin
rates as established by the New Eng
land exchange The property loss Is
fully 100000 or more. Insurance on
the other risks as follows: Oscar F.
Howe. $1,000. on dwelling, ell ana
barn. $500 on household furniture, $50
on vehicles harnesses, etc, 500 on
horses. which were saved: H. F.
Barber, $500 on house and $500 ON
furniture: Mrs Barnard, damage to
house. loss not vet determined: Mrs.
Adams and Mr.. Redway. all insured
with C. NJ. Russell, the local agent,
and will be adjusted and paid at
once.
The great question now before the
village of Wilmington is the matter
of fire protection. All that they have
is a hand engine with a company OF
30 men. The two fire pumps at the
mill have been of the greatest value
and have saved thousands of dol
lars in previous fires. An attempt
was made a few years ago to have a
fine Dean pump set in the shop OF
Mr.. Courtemanche but owing to the
opposition put forth the project was
defeated. If that pump had been in
operation the houses of Q. F. Howe
and H F. Barber would without