Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-06-29
A Serious Fire.

| Last Thursday night.about II 80 o'clock,
an alarm of fire was sounded through the
street and George Day, who was asleep,
was notified. He ran to his barn and
| found that fire had just started near a
hay NOV and was leaping toward the roof
Of his barn. The fire was so far advanced
| in the hay that nothing could be done to
stay its progress.
There were about $50 at the schoolhouse
attending the alumni banquet and these,
with many others, we're quickly at the
scene OF the fire. The horses, cows and
hogs, except one, and nearly all the farm
| ing tools were taken from the barn, and a
large amount of furniture and produce
were taken from the house.
| Mr.. Days buildings consisted OF two
and a half story house, ell and shed, COW
cred with slate, carriage shed, horse barn
and large COW and produce barn, and
stood in the order named and all connect
ed and framed into each other. The only
chance to save the house that there could
have been was TO tear down some OF the
smaller buildings, but this seemed impos-
sible. as there were no suitable conven-
| fences for such a purpose and the fire
spread very rapidly and all the buildings
were IN flames in very short time ana
were a smeldering mass in less than two
hours time.
g. w. Davis family had their house a
short distance south OF Mr.. Days, and he
roic measures were taken to save this
house. and they were very successful.
The Davis house was covered with wet
blankets, and force pumps and buckets
aided in keeping the carpets wet, and but
| little damage was done to this house.
There was no wind, which was exceeding
| v fortunate, for had there been a strong
wind in any direction much other proper
| ty must have been destroyed.
Mr.. Days house was arranged to accom-
modate scholars OF the Normal school, and
II was largely used for that purpose. II
would accommodate twenty scholars. be-
sides the family and returned good in
come. The loss is a severe one for Mr..
Day and he has the sympathy OF the entire
community and large circle where he IS
known. He is a Woodworking, indus
trious man and good citizen, and It Is
hoped that the sympathy will be shown
in assistance to Mr.. Day that shall be gen
erous and helpful.
His buildings were insured for 1880,
not more than half their value to him, and
personal property insured for $500, and he
| probably lost that amount OF personal, or
more. He will probably get the whole
amount of insurance.
The cause OF the fire is unknown and a
mystery. There was horse hitched in
the barn floor and on one side Of II, and i
was taken out about an hour before the
| fire was discovered. Mr.. Day held the
lantern for the owner Of the team, and
there were no evidences OF fire then.
When Mr.. Day entered the barn after the
alarm was given, the fire was burning on
| the opposite side OF the floor to where the
horse was hitched. Neither Mr.. Day nor
the owner OF the team were smoking, and
neither had occasion to light matches and
| there was no trouble with. the lantern.
/ There was a large number of strangers in
the place and 1t seems that some one must
have entered the barn after the team was
taken out and accidentally or otherwise
dropped something that started the fire,
but so far it is only theory.