The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-04-17
FIRE in VILLAGE
OF ROCKINGHAM
Caused Loss of $4,000 Early
Tuesday Morning.
HAMLET ALMOST DESTROYED
A Dozen or Moro Buildings We're
Burned to Ground In Less Than
Three Hours-cause Of connagration
Unknown-Many Thrilling Incidents.

|
Unknown-Many Thrilling incidents
The village Of Rockingham, one Of III
oldest settlements IN the state, and one
the center Of the town, was pacticall
wiped on, by lire early Tuesday morning
4 dozen or mor buildings were destroyc'
IN less than three hours, including III
only hotel, the general store and the pos,
office entailing a loss Of between s25,OO
and S90,0O, with insurance Of less thar
half. That any OF the structures will b
rebuilt Is impossible, AS already iamllie
burned out are moving what few thing
they We're able 10 save 10 other localities
and there viii be- nothing 10 induce ~
building
Rockingham is located four miles nortl
Of Bellows Falls and of late years ha
consisted Of about 20 buildings. 4 hal
century ago II was the center Of &c
tivity in the town and was ilourishins
village, but when the town offices AM
business were moved To Bellows Falls
Rockingham became a little country com
munity, the inhabitants being descend
ant, Of the inst settlers and occupying the
Original ancestral homes, 4 general store
which has been conducted by the Divoll
family for years supplied the wants OF
the inhabitants, but beyond this there
was little business done.
| Barking OF dogs gave the first warning
of the ire which destroyed the entire wi.
lagc with the exception OF IL buildings
aud the famous old church, which although
IN the path OF the flames was saved with
difficulty John Harris, who lived in one
of the houses destroyed was awakened
by the sounds, and found his room full OF
smoke. lie ran outside, expecting 10 see
his own place ablazc, but found clouds
OF smoke pouring from the windows Of
the store, two buildings above. lie ran
through the streets, crying the alarm and
rousing all the inhabitants by this time
the store was a roaring furnace. Clouds
of burning brands flew IN every direction,
carried by the wind. There was nothing
10 check the fire. as the only apparatus
consisted OF few hand chemical ex.
tinguisher. Sheets OF flame and great
clouds OF smoke filled the only street.
While few men formed bucket brigade,
others, with desperate calmness, worked
to save household goods.
The hotel and hall occupied by the
grange adjoined the store. and from
these buildings a considerable amount OF
furniture was saved. men, women and
children entering the blazing structures
until driven out snatching up everything
possible, while burning timbers fell around
them. In the hotel. Mrs. ID. \. Ryder
an aged invalid, who is the step-mother
of II. ID. Ryder of Bellows Falls, made her
home. She was removed with difficulty,
being unwilling to leave her room. Charles
Proctor, who owned one OF the largest
dwellings burned is also an invalid and
had TO be carried to safety.
A ha
by w. II. Griswold of Bellows Falls, was
one of the first to go down. the flames
leapng across and setting the shingles
on fire. \ large barn, nearby was saved
by hard work The Divoll place. more than
100 years old and located near the store,
then caught fire and in quick succession
the Proctor place, two houses owned by
Nat l.. Divoll, several large barns, the
hotel, hall, stables and outhouses We're
ignited. The old church, famous through
out New England and one OF the land
marks of this state, is located on an ele-
vation. The grass in the yard blazed up
frequently, but was extinguished each
time. Two hours and half after the |
fire started it was checked, when the !
wind died down. I
There Were numerous thrilling Incl |
dents. \ tank containing $50 gallons of
kerosene oil in the store, exploded, send |
ng flames to great height and throwing |
he burning oil in all directions. 4 barrel |
If oil in a house caused a second explosion. |
considerable livestock persisted and large
)lles OF lumber We're destroyed. 4 flock |
If 100 sheep and some valuable horses
we're saved from \. A. DvolPs barn, but
his hens We're killed. The grange mem
,ers saved their piano and charter but
ost all other property. Help was sum
noned from Bellows Falls. but when the
apparatus arrived the devastation was
complete.
The cause of the fire is not known. but
t is thought to have started from an over
leated stove. The Rockingham post
tiice will probably be discontinued, as
he section on all sides is covered by
ural delivery from Bellows Falls.
1t is estimated that the total losses
mount to about S21 900, with insurance
+ $4,000. The losses are divided as fol-
ows:--
Hotel, owned by Mrs. Lewis C. Lowell
nd occupied by Mrs. Lowell, her daugh-
er, Mrs. Maria Pollard, and grand
aughter. Miss Madeline Pollard; Hope
!. Lowell and Mrs. d. Ryder; loss to all,
5000; no insurance ;
Store and postofiice, $1,000; insurance, t
) 1000. I
j. L. Divolls house. over 100 wears old, i
900; covered by insurance. {
w. L. Divolls houses and barn, $780, (
1920. i
Lumber. owned by n. L. Divoll, 5000. t
John Harris, $1,000; partially insured f
Charles IL. Proctor, $1,000; covered by
lsulanCe. d.
Pleasant Valley grange, $4,000; insured. !
Bowker company, 500. !
W. II. Griswold, $500. :