Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-04-05
HINSDALE, N. H.
Eagle Iron Foundry, Owned by F.
W. TiIden, in Ruins
Incendlary-Loss Many Thousands Of
Dollars-45 Hands out Of Employment.


About $50 O'Clock Monday evening an
alarm was sounded for what proved TO
be the most disastrous fire that has visit
ed Hinsdale since the destruction of the
town hall and the Eagle iron foundry,
which was owned and operated by Frank
w Tildcn, Is in ruins, a prosperous bust
ness is at a standsti and about As men
were thrown out of employment.
A little past 9 o'clock A. G.. Sargent.
who lives on Cream Pot hill, saw the
blaze at the foundry, hurried to the Val
lage and gave the alarm The fire de-
partment responded promptly. but by the
time the fremen reached the spot the
fire had made considerable Roadway and
was burning briskly at each end of the
building. The buildings along the river
were old and dry. The hand engine was
placed on the bridge over the canal and
with this and the MIGRANTS streams OF
water were soon pouring on the fire, but
not until about two hours hard work had
been put in did the fremen feel that they
had their task in hand and the flames
under control.
The plant was an extensive one and be
sides a large building on the front. re-
Gently completed. included several older
buildings. The building used as a pat
tern house containing moulding patterns
of very great value, the drum room, the
shipping room. the carpenters room and
a storeroom whore large number of
TASKS were kept were totally destroyed
The moulding room and stack were saved.
although in a damaged condition. I'm
fortunately. at this point the water main
is far too small, being only a four-inCh
pipe. and although the pumps at the sew
eral mills were working, 1t was impossi-
BILE to throw a strong stream upon the
fire. \ line Of hose was quickly laid
from the Robertson mills direct and this
did good service. but the honors go to the
old hand engine from which two streams
We're steadily playing on the flames with
telling results The summing up shows
the older buildings including those known
as Parks shop. the Tollman macrne
shop. Jones building and sheds are en-
trely destroyed, also the south side Of
the large new building is practically ruin
ed. Although the buildings themselves
are covered by insurance the loss in pat
terms, cessation of production. etc, can
not be estimated. Not only is Mr.. Til
den a loser, but other concerns Of which
the Porter Machine company Of Hatfield
will suffer most. all Of their patterns Of
almost untold value, being destroyed.
The patterns Of the Granite state Now
ing Machine company Of this town were
nearly all saved, also those of the Green
field firm.
In the few years Mr.. Tilden has con-
Quoted the business he has brought it up
from a small concern employing five or
six men to its present hourishing con-
dition, with a force Of above 40 employees
and 4 weekly pay roll of about $500. The
| recent Improvements and additions had
| been made at a great expense. Carpen-
| tiers have estimated that the plant could
| be rebuilt for $4,000 to $4,000. There was
| an insurance of $4,000 on the buildings.
The origin Of the fire must remain n
| mystery. Many think it was incendary
| especially as IL was reported that the fire
was in more than one place, explosions
were heard, etc. The explosions, how
| ever, proved to be the firing Of revolver
! by Mr.. Frary who lives across the river
who fired the shots to attract the atten-
| ton Of the people to the fire
| When the fire was discovered a large
majority Of the townspeople were in the
| town hall to witness the local minstrel
! show, and it was a source for congratula-
| ton that panic was averted, which must
have resulted in injury If not death to
| some.
Mr. Tiden's courage is good. and he
| shows a manly spirit, counting the loss
| of dollars and cents as nothing when
| family and friends are uninjured. His
many friends will be reioiced to know
| that he contemplates rebuilding. as soon
as matters can be adjusted He has
been able to find positions for most OF
| his men, so that the fire need not result
| in loss Of time to them.