Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-08-26

The most destructive fire in the history
Of the town of Wilmington occurred
early Sunday morning. when the large
wood working establishment of the Reads
boro Chair company's Wilmington branch
was entirely consumed together with the
fine residence of Oscar +. Howe and resi-
dence of Hardy +. Barber, and the dwell
ing and barn owned by Mrs. Frank r..
Barnard and dwelling of Mrs. Emeline $.
Adams and T.. NJ. Redway were damaged.
At about 5 o'clock Sunday morning,
while the whole village was quietly sleep
ing. a little noise from the whistle at the
mill ave warning that something was
wrong. The pressure of the steam was
not sufficient to produce a whistle. just
a little puff. The dread cry of fire was
shouted Those who saw the building at
this time unite I'm the statement that only
a little smoke was visible, but in an in
crcdihly short time a volume of black
smoke shot up into the air and soon
flames burst out the entire length of the
factory.
No one could fail to be convinced that
the saving of any part of the mill or
anything within was impossible. 1t was
perfectly evident that the fire had been i'm
progress for some time to get under
such Roadway as it was when the flames
broke out. Two watchmen were employ
ed, Charles *. Ames and James L. Rus
sell. but they are not able to account for
the fire in a definite name
As the smoke belched forth and rose
higher and higher, the great cloud settled
down over the village like a pail, and it
seemed to everyone 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, but on account of the fire
and smoke it was impossible to start
either. The only hope was with the en-
CINE which was placed at the reservoir
near the residence of O. II. Jones and
the water was all drawn out in a short
time. The engine was then taken to the
river in the rear of the hotel sheds and
did good service from this point. Mean
while the Bowker house was on fire and
only the most heroic work saved ct.
Soon the flames Tapped across the street
and the residence of O. f. Howe was
doomed. a large portion of the furniture
was saved. The dwelling of II. +. Barber
nearby was soon in flames and was a
mass of embers in a short time. The
dwelling of Mrs. Emeline Adams was only
saved by putting carpets over the end of
the house and throwing water thereon. +.
NJ. Redway's house was badly smoked
but the loss is not large.
This fire is a very serious matter to
the town of Wilmington and we shall re-
alize il more and more hereafter, Yet,
we ought to be ankfu that it was
stopped where it was. for If the wind
AttA'A ~ ~ AAA1 AhNtNA ~ i NH1 -
first the whole street might have been
swept out.
Word was sent to Readsboro and a
train was sent up with a large number of
men and a good supply of hose. but the
fire had practically done it's work. People
came in numbers from Jacksonville and
all other nearby towns. all anxious to
help us. The people of Wilmington fully
appreciate the kindly spirit shown and il
disaster ever comes upon our friends we
will respond as promptly as they have
always done when we have been jim
trouble.
An old Landmark is thus removed and 1t
is a question whether the factory will be
rebuilt. The original grist mill, forming a
part of the structure, was erected fully
20 years ago. Riley Boyd rebuilt and
improved the property in 1S54-55. When
the railroad came up the valley the mill
was all rebuilt and repaired by the Will
mington Grain and Lumber company, in
which the Newtons were largely interest
ed. About two years ago the ReadsborC
Chair company decided to rebuild and re-
fit the mill as a branch of their extensive
establishment in Readsboro. \ large
sum of money had been expended for new
machinery and the whole enterprise was
just getting into excellent condition., prom
Using good returns in the future. Moses
Newton and y. b. Clark. the efficient
managers of the Readsboro factory, have
id''ith necessarily u tHt Sutt'SS ol tl'
undertaking and this disaster is a HARD
blow.
The town of Wilmington voted almost
unanimously to exempt the plant from
taxation for a period of five years. Nearly
80 hands We're employed in the mill ant
most of these will nave to seek employ.
ment elsewhere.
IT is hoped that a new building will b,
erected in due time, but It remains to b,
seen what can be done in the way q
encouragement from the town or from
individuals.
AS to the insurance on the mill, W,
are not able at this time to learn definite.
ly the amount or the names of the com.
panies interested. Owing to the higl