The Press., 1905-11-01


900, TO say nothing of the Interrupt
ton of business. It started in TIT
opera house, but no theory has ye
been advanced for the cause. Smoke
was seen coming out of a window IL
the front peak of the block about 2(
minutes after midnight by Officer
Mellen. He rang in an alarm anG
the fire department was soon at work.
1t was fierce fire to fight, and the
department is entitled to credit fol
saving the surrounding property, es'
pecially the part of the block owned
and occupied by D. Robertson & Co.
A fire wall between the two parts OF
the block made it possible for the
firemen to check the flames, although
it burned through in several places.
The Page brick block, separated by a
narrow alley, was subjected to intense
heat. The woodwork on this block
caught several times and window
glass was broken. The heat was such
that plate glass windows in the War
rem block across the street were crack
ed. Several windows of the new
banking rooms were broken in this
way, and one in the Taft store is
cracked. The block owned by Reu-
ben Converse caught fire, but was
quickly extinguished. 1t was an ex-
citing time for the families in the
Page block. Mrs. Macumber and
Harry Pownall live in the tenements
on the side toward the Are, and Frank
Carpenter and John Williams on the
other side. Mr.. and Mrs. Pownall
were away, but the other families
packed their clothing and valuables
ready for a quick exit. Mr.. Williams
was reused about II. 30. He got
some trunks out containing things
easily moved and placed them on the
hill back of the block. From this
point of vantage he watched the pro-
gress of the fire. Mr.. Williams states
that as soon as the air got into the
building and the flames burst out it
was a magnificent spectacle for people
who did not live close by. Person
ally, Mr.. Williams admits a feeling
of nervousness that robbed the occa-
sion of any scenic enjoyment. The
block was like big furnace, and at
intervals q big mass of flame scared
high above it. Much Roadway must
have been secured before the discov-
cry of the fire. The firemen worked
from the bluff behind and the street
below, and had a number of streams
going from each direction. 1t was 4
O'Clock before danger was passed, ano
the firemen continued their labors un-
til about 8. The block is nearly a
total loss, and is insured for $4,000.
Of this, $1,000 is on the block and
$1,000 on the opera house. Nothing
was removed from any of the stores
ON the ground floor. The stock of
Fl. s. Abel comes the nearest to be-
ing total loss of any. 1t was over
this store that the fire started. When
Mr.. Abel arrived and went into the
store the flames were already coming
through the ceiling. The stock ap-
pears like a total loss, and at this
season of the year much larger
amount of goods are carried than
later. Mr.. Abel carries so, 800 in
surance, and this will not cover the
loss in all probability. The Hanley
store is also badly damaged by smoke,
fire and water. Mr., Hanley has
$4750 insurance. Joseph Clark's
barber shop has about 5000 insur
ance, and this will probably cover
his loss. The loss at the Robertson
store from fire, smoke and water has
been satisfactorily adjusted. The loss
on the stock, as we'll as on the build
ing, is amply covered by insurance.
The loss on the plate glass windows
broken in the Warren block will not
be over $3.50, covered by insurance.
This is the third time fire has visited
this block. In May, 1891, the loss
was heavy, and the fire somewhat
similar to the recent one, as the up
per part of the building, then two
stories, was destroyed. In February,
1897, there was a fire in the room
occupied by the post Office and F. e.
Fitzpatrick news business. The
loss was all confined to the one store.
A. @. Eaton, owner of the block, makes
no announcement of plans for the fu-
ture. 1t will, of course, be rebuilt in
some form, but whether the opera
house will be replaced is a question.
Regret will be felt by many if there is
no place for entertainments and as
semblies. On the other hand, an
opera house in a town of this size is
not an enterprise that pays much in
terest on an Investment.
Rev. O. H. Puffer of Salem, Mass,
is visiting friends in town.
Miss G. A Beckwith has been ill,
but has recovered sufficiently to be at
business.
Judge J. H. Reed is holding court
in Hartford, where he will be sta ton
ed until the first of January.
Mrs. A. Labreche, Miss Elizabeth
Labreche and Amos Bolieau attended
a wedding at Moosup Monday.
Cryil johnson has placed a hand
some monument in the Stafford
Springs cemetery. 1t was made by
Hartford firm.
The high school basket ball team
will play the st. Edwards Juniors
at st. Edwards hall Saturday at 5 D.
m. Admission, Is cents.
A new fiume has been completed at
the Fabyan shoddy mill. The River
mill, which was shut down a few
days ago waiting for stock, resumed
operation Monday.
The insurance ON the stock and ON
the building of d, Robertson & Go.