Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-10-21
$4,000 FIRE LOSS.
Bell Bros. Store Badly Gutted Satur-
day. Damaging the Stock.

]
day, Damaging the Stock.
The fire at Bell Bros. store Saturday
didn't make as big blaze as some fires,
but it resulted in larger loss than any
confaeration in Randolph in recent
years. Within less than an hour some
$4,000 worth of goods and property we're
destroyed an damaged.
As Miss Margie Jerd, employed in the
millinery department, at the front OF the
second story, was passing through the
cloak department nearby on her way back
to work after the noon hour, her dress
caught on or brushed against lig hted oil
heater resting on the floor just as she
turned a corner and it fell over. The oil
ran out and Immediately ignited. Miss
Jerd screamed an alarm and held back
the cloaks hanging from frame to pre-
vent them from catching, but the flames
quickly worked their way to other in
fiammable garments. Mr.. and Mrs. A.
j. Bell and Miss Edith Howard were in
the store downstairs, II. B. Bell and
the remaining clerks being still at dinner.
Mrs. Bell rushed up, hauled an art
square about and tried to smother the
fire, but unsuccessfully, and a telephone
message was sent asking for the fire
whistle to sound. The Emerson whistle,
which is the regular alarm, was off duty
that day and some delay resulted before
the Salisbury mill could be reached, and
then the alarm did not conform to the
code.
1t was not very long, however, before
the firemen arrived and set to work with
vigor. The flames were then dancing
about all through the second story.
Hose lines were quickly run up through
the windows, front and rear, and one up
the rear stairway, and soon four streams
were flooding the apartment, drenohing
1t and putting the fire out of business
in quick order. The fire itself was con-
fined to the second story OF the Bell store,
but smoke penetrated to the tenements
above, occupied by E. L. Emery and Ed
gar Blood, while water descended in
| floods to the lower floor OF the Bell store
and to the grocery store OF W. w. Nor
ton alongside, over which part Of the Bell
store projects, and even worked its way
along the ceiling to the W. +. Lamson
store, wetting down the inside wall and
damaging some merchandise.
II was soon seen that the fire would be
overcome and except a few fur coats that
MEft luIOMn AfOH Aut WAuuOMb
none OF the goods were removed from the
Bell or other stores. Merchants-some
in the same line OF business as the Bells
hurried in with long waterproof covers
that were spread over the counters and
shelves, saving many articles from a
drenching that would have destroyed
them. Others worked &c bail and sweep
out the water. In about three-quarters OF
an hour the hose streams we're turned OF.
The goods and fixtures on the second
floor OF the Bell store were practically
ruined, and not much less than total
loss can be figured. These included large
lines of millinery, furs, cloaks, gar
ments, etc., besides counters, showcases,
shelves, frames aud other fixtures. The
stock was nearly all new and just put in
for the fall trade. Bell Bros. estimate
their loss at $4,000, but this will not
cover what they will lose through the in
terruption OF their trade. The damage to
the block. owned by Dubois a Gay, will
exceed $1,000. The floor where the fire
started had been recently refinished and
was in fine order. W. w. Morton's loss
is uncertain, but probably around 5000 or
$500. w. z. Lamson's is 800 to block
and goods E. L. Emery's and Edgar
Blood's wilt be slight. All the parties,
including Bell Bros, have insurance suii-
cient to cover.
No blame attaches to Miss Jerd, who
was not unusually careless. She was
quite overcome for time and had to be
attended by physician.
The firemen, once on the scene, worked 4
valiantly, and again Randolph has TO be
thankful for a good department, as well
as a water pressure that counts against y
confiagrations. Bell Bros. were so well
pleased with the work OF the firemen hat |
they have presented the department with
$50 in appreciation.
Bell Bros. were compelled to close their
store at once, but will reopen as soon az
the insurance adjustments are made and
the store can be rendered comfortable for
business. The others were not interrupt
ed in their business.
Bert Howard received quite a severe cut
on the chin from flying wiRdos glass
during the contest Of the fremen with
the flames.
The fire losses Of w. w. Morton, w.
E. Lamson, Edgar Blood and f. L.
Emery have been adjusted, also the loss
on store fixtures in the Bell store. Ad
lusters are expected in q day or two TO
complete the settlement for Bell Bros.
and Dubois a Gay.
Ladies' hair work. Mrs. H. II. Bean,