Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-04-16


Fire tment-Atwood & Co.
to Rebuild.
This village was again visited by
serious fire Saturday morning, and one
of the finest business blocks in the re-
built section after the fire of 1908 was
burned to the ground. The building
stood on the site of the old Clay block
and was owned by C. n Atwood & Co.,
who occupied the first floor and basement
as clothiers and dealers in gents fur
nishings.
The fire was discovered about $50 in
the forenoon and was presumably caused
by the explosion of gasoline stove used
by bushelman in the rear of the store.
An alarm was Immediately turned in,
but the first floor filled with smoke in
such an almost incredible time that none
of the stock was saved, except one trunk.
Even the books of the firm were not
removed and were found at night among
the debris in a charred but ineligible
shape.
Both hose companies and the hook and
ladder truck responded Immediately,
and, under the direction of Chief En-
gineer Rich, who was the first to reach
the scene, had seven streams on the
building, working from both front and
rear. Owing to the highly combustible
nature of the contents and the dense
smoke the firemen were unable to reach
the direct center Of the blaze and in a
few minutes the structure was doomed.
The second floor was occupied by Mr.
and Mrs. j. X. Piper as living apart
ments and none of their household goods
or personal effects were saved, and
included among them were many fine
wedding gifts and family pieces.
The building was veneered in both
front and rear with brick walls and after
the fire had been in progress for half
hour, and when the building was filled
with one solid mass Of smoke, an explo-
sion occurred, probably caused by gas
generated from the burning woolens and
total lack of ventilation. 1t raised the
roof of the building several feet and
toppled the walls over, hitting several
fremen who were working in close
proximity to both the front and rear of
the structure. The severely injured were
Harry Kelley, hoseman, skull frac-
tured, one leg, right arm and knee
broken, spinal and internal injuries.
Taken to Mary Fletcher hospital, Bur-
lington, accompanied by Dr. S. S. Eddy.
Mr.. Kelley only partially regained con-
sciousness and died Sunday morning.
Charles Shaw, head cut and bruised,
conclusion of the brain. Mr.. Shaw was
taken to his home and attended by DR..
Dorey. The last reports from the injured
man assure of his ultimate recovery, but
1t will be some time before he is about.
Robert A. Calhoun of the hook and
ladder company, scalp wounds and in
juries to his head, back, shoulders and
leg.
Thomas Penders, scalp wounds and
bruises to body and limbs.
Arthur Bessette, scalp and face wounds.
William Lapan, arm and head cut,
numerous bruises.
he uTtultn nttu lile udllleS unueT COn-
troll in little more than an hour after
the outbreak but remained on duty all
of Saturday and Saturday night and I'M
til Sunday noon with streams on the
burning embers. The adjoining build
ings were projected by modern fire walls,
which coupled with the valiant work of
the tiremen. were saved, although stocks
of goods were more or less damaged by
smoke, and broken glass resulting from
the explosion.
The Atwood block was valued at $12.-
600 and the firm carried 900 stock
of clothing and gents furnishings. They
carried an insurance of $4,000, evenly
divided between the building and stock
One of the firm states that as soon as
the insurance is adjusted work will be
commenced on new building.
The Tupper block was occupied by
II. B. Dutton, druggist, whose damage
by smoke and water may reach 81 900,
covered by insurance. The other occu-
pants of the Upper block were: The
Moosalamoo club, damage $400, insured;
Delphia & LOOMS, BARRIERS; George
Goulette, boot and shoe shop; c. A.
Piper, undertaken and furniture dealer;
A. G. Tabor, wall paper and paints;
r. l.. Brough, matchmaker; George
Stevens, jeweler. All the occupants of
the block sustained more or less damage
which is covered by insurance, and dam
age to the block will probably be $500,
insured.
The Ross block was occupied on the
ground floor by Henry F JOY, dealer in
boots, shoes and mems furnishings. The
damage to his stock from smoke and
water will probably be ABOUT 500
which is covered by insurance. The sec
0nd floor is occupied by the offices of
DR.. K. III. Martin, damage $500, insured.
The block is owned by c. w. Ross and
the damage is estimated at $500. B. c.
Ryder, dealer in boots, shoes and gro.
ceries, who occupied the whole building
of F. A. Bond, sustained a damage OF
$500, which was covered by insurance
damage to Bonds block, 5000; insured.
The Dyer block and occupants on the
opposite side of the street was damaged
by the explosion and the inflow of dense
smoke. The second floor was occupied