Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-01
VERNON.
N. |. Reeds Buildings Burned Sunday
Morning.

The farm buildings of M. I. Reed were
destroyed by fire Sunday forenoon, with
the exception of a carriage house de-
tached from the main buildings, which
consisted of a house, ell and barn at
tached The fire was first seen about
half-past nine by Mrs. Reed, whose cries
attracted the attention of her husband
and brought immediate help from the
neighbors. When discovered the fire an
peared to be on the outside of the barn
under the roof, and at first Mr.. Reed
thought he had extinguished the flames
with pals of water, but on entering the
barn he found the upper part completely
filled with smoke and fame He sue
ceeded In removing his horse and two
cows, but nearly all the other contents
of the barn, including fat hog. hens
ilVe harness. new lumber wagon, farm
ing tools, hay, grain and many other ar
ticles, were destroyed
large number of the neighbors were
on the scene within a very few minutes.
and, 1t being evident that the buildings
must go, nearly all the contents of the
house and ell were removed and saved,
with the exception of things in one cham
Der which was overlooked in the excite
ment. The carriage house was saved by
ID. p. Prescott, who covered his face with
wet cloths and played upon the exposed
end with hand pump. 1t was fortunate
that the day was still, and also fortunate
for the Reed family, since their long
time home must be destroyed, that the
new house owned by c. e. Davis only a
short distance up the road was vacant
and available for the family to move into.
The neighbors at once removed the house
hold effects which had been saved to
this house and the family are now located
there.
The buildings and contents were insured
for $4,000, divided $500 on buildings and
$500 on contents. 800 of this insurance
was on the carriage house. which was
saved. Mr.. Reed estimates his actual
property loss at at least $1,000 Among the
articles destroyed were numerous heir
looms and things to which a sentimental
value attached, and which can never be
replaced. This house had been the home
of the Reed family since 1869, and all of
the four children were born there, with
the exception of the eldest, Mrs f. l..
Swift of Brattleboro
Mr.. Reed has been the town clerk of
Vernon since 1902, and his first thought,
after releasing his horse and cows, was
for the town safe and the town records,
and he Immediately carried out a trunk
containing valuable papers, and with the
help of the first neighbors who came the
safe was removed from the building I'M
injured and with the contents unimpaired,
and this, with the other records, has been
placed in the Davis house. Mr.. Reed has
as yet no definite plans for rebuilding his
home.
The origin of the fire is very uncertain.
The only reasonable theory formed by
Mr.. Reed is that spark from the kitchen
chimney may have fallen into the pine
needles gathered in the gutter under the
caves of the barn and that the fire ran
along this gutter and found entrance to
the inside. There had been no lantern or
Ara Of ri In fha hi IN nd
had himself been in the upper part of the
barn to throw down hay for his animals
within half an hour of the time the fire
was discovered. He does not accept the
theory that tramp could have been in
the barn
was adjusted Wednesday by Mr. Denny
Of the Union Mutual company, a deduction
of about 5000 being made on the full
amount of the policies.
Vernon Grange will hold its regular
meeting on Saturday evening of this week.
The ladies' circle will meet at their
rooms next Wednesday. Dinner will be
served at noon.
Miss Florence Barnes, a student at the
state normal school in Castleton, is
spending the Thanksgiving vacation with
her parents.
On sunday evening, Dec. ), at o CLOCK,
an address will be given in the Union
church under the auspices of the Anti
Saloon league by C. w. Osgood Of Bel
lows Falls. A cordial invitation is ex-
tended to all to be present.
R. A. White and Miss Ellen Saderman
of this place, who were married in Town
shend last Saturday, were in town the
first of the week completing their arrange
ments for moving to Tunbridge, where
Mr.. White has recently bought farm.
They have the congratulations and best
wishes of their friends here.
A CARD-We wish to express our
sincerest thanks to the neighbors and
friends who did everything in their power
to assist us in the time of our recent mis-
fortune.
MR.. AND MRS. NJ. I. REED.
Uarnon Nov 1QO6