The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-01-09

| last. Pupils In shorthand and typewrit
ing wanted by an experienced teacher. Ap
ply at 81 Spring street or Room 4, Odd Eel
lows block. ....H. NJ. Black, 1O7 Main street
will begin today clearance sale OF shir
marked down to figures that will be at
tractive to buyers.
SEASIDE GRANGE HALL BURNED. The
most disastrous fire Belfast has had for a
long time occurred New Years night, when
Seaside Grange hall on Field street near
High was burned to the ground with its
contents, which included the charter,
records and all the grange books, the furni.
ture and fittings. 1t was two story build.
ing and was built II years ago. An addi-
ton was recently made to the original
building, and the property destroyed could
not be replaced today for much less than
$1,000. There was only $1,000 insurance on
the building and $3.50 on the furniture.
The insurance expired at noon on the day
Of the fire, but contrary to street rumors it
had been renewed, so that there was not a
total loss. Seaside Grange has a member
ship of about 200 with an average attend
ance of 100 or more and was in prosper
GUS condition. The loss of its home, for
which all had labOred SO earnestly, is Sc
riOusly felt. The community is also a loser
by the destruction of this building, which
was used f0r social and religious meetings
and for Grange dances, which were very
popular with the young people. The last
of these dances, which was largely attend
ed, took place on New Years eve. At II
O'Clock the next night the building was
discovered to be on fre and AL alarm was
rung in. The Washington and Seaside hose
pany responded promptly, but the fire had
attained SO much Roadway that the build
ing could not be saved and their efforts
were directed to protecting the adjacent
property. The bull Iings Uf Herbert E.
Wiley, which were nearest the fire, were in
grave danger. but fortunately were saved.
The alarm called out large number of
people and those first on the scene say that
the fire evidently started from outside the
building, which had not been used since
the dance Of the night before. Chapter %.
Section 46 of the Revised Statutes requires
that, "Wben property is destroyed or dam
aged by fire the municipal officers in cities
Or towns should Immediately notify the
insurance commissioner of the same, and
shall investigate the cause, circumstances
and origin of the fire, and especially ex-
anime whether it was the result of care
lessness or design. The investigation shall
be commenced within three days after the
occurrence of the fire, not including the
Lords day, and the insurance commissioner
may supervise and direct said investigation
whenever he considers it expedient or
necessary" In compliance with this law a
preliminary hearing was begun in the
council room, city building at 2.30 p. M,
last Saturday, continued Monday evening
and then adjourned to yesterday afternoon.
The investigation thus far has not added
much to what was already known. 1t was
brought out that the fire originated in the
open shed in rear of the building, and that
the water from the hydrants was very mud
dy and the pressure insufficient. No evil
dence was presented in support of street
talk as to incendiarism.