The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-05-25
THE NORTHPORT FIRE.
Facts and Theories Concerning the Burning
of the DOdworth Cottage.

Facts and Theories Concerning the Burning
of the Dodworth Cottage.
| A meeting of citizens was held in the Gus
tom house Wednesday evening, May 18th,
in furtherance of an investigation of the
fire which destroyed the Dodworth cottage
in Northport, and Hon. S. W. Carr, Insur-
ance Commissioner, was present in compli-
ance with request from Collector Harri-
man. NOrthpOrt was represented by first
selectman H. W. Elweli, Captain Alban F.
Elwell, Henry Hills, Chester E. Perkins
and others. 7. George Dodworth of New
York, owner of the burned cottage, was
present, with John and William Roberts of
Reading, Mass, A. A. Howes and DR.. G. P.
Lombard, owners of cottages in the imme-
date vicinity of the fire. Mayor L. I.
Shales, Charles f. Knowlton, Elisha II.
Haney, l. W. Parker, Deputy Collector
Conant and F. R. Wiggin were among the
citizens to testify by their presence their
interest in the investigation and their re-
gret at the loss that Mr.. Dodworth has sus-
tanned, loss which is also felt by Belfast
and Northport, socially and otherwise.
In a full and free discussion of the fire
the following facts were brought out: That
the fire started about II p. M, or soon after,
Friday, May 10Th, and that it originated in
the front of the building, as the rear wall
was seen standing while the fire was raging
and in measure tended to protect the Rob-
erts cottage in the rear. Mr.. DodwOrth tes-
titled that the cottage was securely fastened
in every way, the windows nailed down and
protected by wooden shutters, hooked on
the inside. The silver ware, guns, ETC.,
were in the attic, with paddock on the
trap door. When asked if there were any
oilskin suits, such as used by yachtsmen, in
the house, Mr.. Dodworth said there was
one suit belonging to him hanging in the
attic Oilskins have been known to ignite
when left in heap and exposed to GER
tain degree of heat, but when hung up there
is no danger of spontaneous combustion.
Whether robbery had been committed could
not be definitely decided. There were seven
iron bedSteads in the cottage and some who
had visited the ruins thought that at least
five could be accounted for. There were
remains of crockery, but hardly enough to
account for all that was in the house,
quantity of melted metal which might rep
resent the plated ware, gun and rifle bar
rels, and one visitor had picked up small
souvenir spoon. The bedding and linen of
course could not be accounted for, as if not
taken it would have been totally consumed.
There was rowboat in the basement, the
entrance to which was secured by chain
was thought to dispose of the probability of
the boat having been used to carry off the
plunder; but Mr.. Dodworth said it would
have been very easy matter to break away
the Stats and in that way gain access to the
basement. One of the r0WlockS had been
seen in the ruins and the Inference is that
the boat was burned with the cottage. Then
the opinion was generally expressed by
those at the fire that nothing could have
been done with a small boat that night, as a
heavy sea was rolling in on the beach. Capt.
Elwell said he had carefully examined the
shore and could find no trace of boat hav-
ing been launched or landed there, and
there were no traces in the vicinity of a
team having been in the vicinity of the cot
tage One of Mr. Hills teams which had
been out was returned Just before the fire
and had met no team or men en- the road.
One opinion expressed was that the same
party or parties who robbed the Wiggin
and other cottages on the east side was con-
cerned in this affair, and that the fire was
accidental. In support of this view it was
argued that there could be no possible mo
tive for burning the cottage; that if robbery
was the object the fire would be more likely
to lead to Investigation and detection; that
the fact that the owner would not be here
this summer would give opportunity to re-
move its contents with little likelihood of
discovery. Many dissented from this view.
They did not think the robbery of the east
side cottages had any connection with this
affair. They believed that robbery had
been committed and that the fire was in-
cendiary. Mr.. Dodworth was asked if he
had any personal enemies, or had had any
trouble with his help, and answered both
questions with decided negative. That
was also the response of citizens of North
port when asked if they knew of suspicious
pointing to anyone.
The fire broke out at time vixen nearly
every one, but particularly those who had
been at work during the day, is sleeping
soundly, and it was some little time before
the neighbOrhood was fully aroused. Mr..
Henry Hills said that fifteen minutes later
his buildings could not have been saved, as
in one or more places the fire had burned
through the roof. An attempt to call the
family of C. o. Dickey by telephone was
unsuccessful, and the Belfast operator was
called up but failed to get Mr.. Dickey, and
when told what was the trouble he went
out and rang in the alarm from box 25. The
hose company was delayed in getting horses
and did not reach the scene until too late to
be of service At half-past four Friday
morning the fire was out, only the shoulder
ing ruins remaining of the Dodworth's
i handsome summer home.
The first alarm was given by Mrs. Prls-
ella Matthews, who lives at Browns Cor
| ner. She was awakened by her cat, and
in getting up to put the cat ont saw
the flames and the sparks coming
! in the direction of her house. She
lives alone and has an understanding with
the neighbors that in case of trouble she Will
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