St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-04-26
CONCORD.
A DIsastrous Fire.


The greatest confagration this villag
ever experienced occurred Friday nigh
when four buildings were totally destroy
ed in a remarkably short time and nine
families turned into the street, The fire
was discovered about eleven O'Clock in
the big block owned by H. G. Brand. II
had made such a Roadway that when
help arrived it was impossible to save
ANYTHING and the entire block four
stories high and all its contents were
burned. The FIRE spread on both sides
and while the large barn adjoining the
building was burning on its right the
town hall was in flames on its left. Be-
vond the barn was the nice residence
owned BY Emery Adams, adjoining this
the one owned by Archie Bowen and be-
yond that c. L. Stacy's. The buildings
were close together and no pail brigade
could save FIVE buildings ablaze at once.
Men, women and children worked with
untiring efforts in carrying out the furni-
ture from the three houses above the
block, and the house owned by Z. D.
Lee, below the town hall, so that each
house was practically emptied OF its con-
tents by the time the fire reached it. 1t
was thought the Stacy house could be
saved ifplenty of water could be brought.
AS nearly every house on the street was
without water the nearest obtainable
was the river, and long file of men and
women too, was formed from the river,
while two horse teams brought water
in great barrels. Wet blankets were
carried over the end OF the house
nearest the fire and men volunteered to
do their best to save it. A strong wind
was blowing which blew the Fl 4mes over
the roof OF the house and many times it
was on fire, bnt each time extinguished
At the time this fight was on for the
Stacy house, the same battle was taking |
place on the Lee house and men were |
risking their lives to save the houses OF
Others. Directly in front of the Brand
block stands the Universalist church,
which today stands blackened and
married with the intense heat. Several
times it was on fire and once it seemed it
must go as the fire was under the iron
roofing. Abby Hudson proved himself
hero by standing on a ladder that sway
ed with his weight, so feet above the
ground and with both hands literally
chopped the fire out, then too the chemical
cans proved of valuable assistance there,
as their contents could be forced in where
water could not penetrate. Had the
,hurch gone, both sides of the street,
With the Methodist church, the houses
beyond and around, would have had to
,een sacrificed. Help was summoned
rom St. Johnsbury, but some delay
aused in procuring cars, hindered them
ill the five buildings lay in ashes and
he other buildings saved, all they could
10 was to extinguish the Goals. No
PRAYER men ever fought fire than the
mes who saved the Lee house, the Stacy
louse and church. They were almost
oasted alive and their faces were blister
d and cooked, but they fought like
eroes, and are deserving of the highest
Draise.
The heaviest loss falls on Mr.. Brand
Who lost all and was only partly in
ured; he was in Portland buying his
spring stock of goods, and Mrs. Brand
was stopping with her daughter. Mr..
Brand resided in the block and kept
large stock of dry goods and clothing.
The upper floor was rented by the Odd
Fellows and Rebekahs who lost every
thing. Their paraphernalia, charters,
and the loving cup won by the Odd Eel.
lows, probably priced the most. In the
barn were several good carriages. The
town hall was filled with the seats,
scenery and the furniture and clothing
used in the drama which had closed but
a short time before the FIRE was discover
oil t. L.
ment were sleighs and carriages all of
which was saved. The hall was insured.
Emery Adams saved nearly all his furni-
ture and the house was insured for $500. |
The Bowen house contained three fani- |
lies, who saved most OF their furniture.
The house was insured. The church,
Stacy house and the Lee house, which
were badly damaged by the fire are also
Mr.. Brand had $500 insur-
ance on the building and his loss is seve.
raj thousand dollars more. The town
carried $500 insurance, the Odd Fellows
were insured for $500 Mr.. Bowen had
$500 insurance and Mr.. Adams had
$1,000. In each case the insurance will
only partially cover the loss.
If men can work with nothing but
water and pals and do what they did
Friday night, which is considered almost
miraculous, what couldn't they have
done il they had been a we'll drilled fire
company with engine, hose and chemi
Gals Who dares to say we do not need
village water?
This is the night Concordia Lodge, l.
0. o. F., invite every one to attend the
observance of the Seth anniversary Of
the order at the Universalist church.
Hon. Samuel Page, past grand master OF
New Hampshire, is the speaker, assisted
by the Arion orchestra.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Smith of st.
Johnsbury visited at Frank Carpenters
last week
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Mcdonald of
East Burke were guests at O. B. Cut.
tings, the first of the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fielding Bugbee visited
their sister, Mrs. c. B Folsom, the first
OF the week.