Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-23
Over One Hundred Hogs Meet
Death by Roasting.
The Cause Is Unknown-loss Is About
$500 on Building and About $3.50 for
Hogs-BuiIding Somewhat Outside
the Hydrant Service.

together with 1914 hogs, abouts 20 of
which were shoats from three to six
months of age. and the balance full
grown hogs. The loss on the building
is about $500. with an insurance of
si00O in the agency of Macomber, Farr
& Written. The loss on the hogs is
estimated to be about $3.50.
The origin of the fire is mystery.
as no one was known to be around the
building when the fire started. 1t was
first seen by some of the men who were
straining milk at the COW farms. and
at that time the east end of the build
ing was all on fire.
Percy Robinson, the man who had
charge Of the piggery. was not at the
building at the time the fire was dis
covered. having gone to the hospital
to supper. Mr.. Robinson goes to supper
1t about s O'Clock. and also helps
around the COW barns at milking time
He was at a loss how to account for the
fire. saying that ne had not had fire
under the boiler at the least end of the
building. this summer.
At the time that the fire was in
progress, there was a brisk southerly
breeze blowing, which served to fan the
flames end by the time that help ar
rived from the hospital, the whole in
side of the building was Il seething fur
mace.
In side the building were 104 hogs.
thoroughbred stock of the White Ches-
ter and Berkshire breeds. some of them
full grown. but the majority younger
stock and these were all destroyed.
The cries of the unfortunate animals.
as the flames reached them. were
agonizing, and were heard for long
distance.
Outside of the main piggery. on the
south and east sides of the building.
We're a number of pens. containing
some ~ or so hogs. which were mostly
the older animals of the drove, and by
quick and hard work on the part of
the attendants and farm hands. these
animals were saved. some of them be-
ing taken out while the pens were in
flames.
Just at the west of the pigEery is To-
Gated the stone crusher and it's eleva-
tor. and by the efforts of crew of the
employees of the hospital, who kept the
building drenched with water from
pills.. tiit DIliutIS anu tolllcfItS were
saved. 1t was strenuous work. how
ever, for the heat at that point was
terrific.
Another building used for store
house. is located few rods north of
the stone crusher and though this
building was not in the direct line of
the flames. it was very hot. In the
building. locked in tool chest. were
two large cans of powder. and when
the fire was at it's height w. H. Allen
and Percy Greig broke open the chest
and carried the cans to place of
safety.
People who were not at the scene of
the fire can have no adequate idea of
the intenseness of the heat which was
developed by the flames. The building
was constructed of spruce. well sea-
soned by eight years standing and the
sheathing which constituted the inside
finish was coated with shellac and var
nsh. which furnished the best Of food
for the greedy flames.
At the north side of the building cx-
tends a broad field. from which the hay
was hauled but yesterday afternoon. and
along the stubble in this field the flames
ran as In tlnOeT, untli DIodu bcil WIS
burned over before the fire died out. The
fire in the building continued to burn un
intcrruptedly until there was nothing left
for the flames to feed upon. and all that
remained was the blackened frame of the
tower and the smouldering ruins about it.
An alarm was pulled in at the hos
pital private box. No. &C. but owing
to the fact that the wires were crossed
at Il point near the park. the fire
whistle failed to respond. The defect
was discovered by Treasurer Campbell,
and repaired by City Electrician Has
kell. as soon as possible.
This box had already been tested
by Chief Engineer c. w. Kicker and
Assistant Engineer Joseph Kicker. at
o'clock. Friday afternoon. while they
were painting the box with aluminium
paint, and found to be operative. as
far as the box WAS concerned.
After correcting the cross on the
wires the box was again tested and the
system found to be operative. The cross
was due to slackness of wires near the
extended branch of a tree.
An order has been placed with the
company by Treasurer Campbell to at
once replace the ordinary wires with
protected or covered wires. such as are
now being used by the city on its fire
alarm system. and thus obviate any
further possibility of trouble from
crossed wires.
The piggery was built in 1885,, In accord
ance with an appropriation by the Leg
sature, work having been commenced
about May 1. and was ready for occupan-
cy about the first of September. the same
year The contract for the building was
held by l.. E Bradstreet of Farmingdale.
and the steam fitting by w. w. Carman
of Portland. The cost OF the building
was about $500.
The dimensions were about boxll2 feet.
with S-foot posts, and a monitor roof.
running up about 30 feet. 1t was modern
in every particular. The main entrance
was on the west end, and opened into
working room, where the food for the
pigs was mixed up and cooked.
Doors from this room opened into the
main Dggery. and into the living room
of the man in charge. the latter room
being fitted with a closet and bath room
The entire building was steam heated