The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-18
CUMBERLAND
OPERATIVES AS
FIRE FIGHTERS

Shortly after o'clock yesterday flames
were discovered in the cellar of one OF the
large brick houses on Blackstone street.
Lonsdale. The house is a double cottage
owned by the Lonsdale company and occu-
pied by Richard Toas. foreman of the
weaving department in the Ann and Hope
mill. The other tenement is occupied by
William II. Tobey. the paymaster OF the
I.onsdale company.
When the fire was discovered Mrs. Toas
was not at home, but the smoke vas seen
| pouring from the cellar window by
Thomas Sullivan a coachman for Supt
Mongeon, and he Immediately drove to
the mill and gave the alarm
The mill fire department quickly re-
| sponded and a stream was turned on the
blaze, which by this time had gained con-
siderable headway and was eating its way
into the floor above
While the Lonsdale mill employees were
working at the fire some one sent in an
alarm for the Valley Falls fire department
and although this body sent in its resig-
ma ton a short time ago they responded
promptly. Their services were not re-
quired however as by the time they ar
rived at the scene the fire had been nearly
extinguished by the mill employees.
The damage will probably be in the
neighborhood OF 500. The funiture and
carpets destroyed by smoke and water
and owned by Mr.. Toas is fully covered
by insurance. The cause OF the fire could
not be determined, but il Is thought to
have started from a defective fiue.
NAY BE POSTPONED
The hearing of the charges brought
against two members of the license COM
mission is scheduled to take place tomor-
row at o'clock
The hearing will probably have TO be
postponed, however. on account OF the Sc
rious illness Of Commissioner James II.
Hosler who has been confined 10 his bed
since Tuesday last and was said this
morning 10 be a very sick man He Is
being attended by DR. Dwinell and as he
! has not had an opportunity to prepare his
defence on account of his illness it is pro-
! bable that his attorney, John j. Fltzger-
aid, will ask for postponement of the
| hearing.
The matter is creating "A great deal or
| interest and there are various opinions as
| to the truth OF the charge.
| The friends OF both parties are making
some strong statements and interesting
| developments are promised when the time
| comes for tn evidenc TO be presented.
| ALL SHARE ALIKE.
1t was learned yesterday that the in
| crease i'm wages which went into effect at
| the mills of the Lonsdale company last
week will include carpenters, machinists
and all hands employed by the concern
| outside the mills. This will be welcome
news to many of the help alluded too. as
| IL has not been the case on every occa-
sion when the mill employees have enjoyed
a raise TO include the outside help.
Hell A CONFERENCE.
The members of the town council met
! Sunday and held a conference In relation
! to highway department affairs.
AS a result of their deliberations the
town engineer was at work yesterday
| measuring the amount of work which has
been done In the construction Of the piece
of state highway in the upper part of the
| town.
Today there will be a conference be-
| tween the town council and the state
! board OF public roads I'm Providence and
after settling the matter of the payment
OF the work which has been done by the
town they will discuss the matter of maxi
ing an other contract for an additional
strip Of highway to commence at the ter
| mination of the present job and extend
south on the Mendon road.
DEATH OF MRS. BALDWIN.
Mrs Elizabeth Baldwin. wife of John
| Baldwin, died at her home on Eli street,
| Sunday. after a short illness. Besides her
! husband she is survived by n son. She was
a resident OF Valley Falls for many years
and was highly respected.
DIED OF SHOCK.
! James Taylor. a weaver employed in the
Ashton Mill and living in Lonsdale new
| village. suffered a shock while at work
| about $50 last night He was carried to
| his home where he was attended by DR..
Marshall. Mr.. Taylor could not be revived
! and he passed away about o'clock He
| was 90 years OF age and leaves a wife.