Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-11
Two owsnIna Houses Burned.

Two Dwelling Houses Burned.
A most disastrous fire occurred here
Saturday afternoon. when two dwelling
houses were burned to the ground and
several others greatly endangered.
The fire caught about O'Clock In the
house Of Gilman Sanborn on North Main
street, known as the Upper village, and
was caused by an over-heated stovepipe.
There was q fearful wind blowing and
the flames spread rapidly. The buildings
OF Perley Rogers, which consisted Of
large square two-story house with an ell.
and also q small barn connected. came
within few feet OF the Sanborn house
and these buildings caught from the heat
and flames Of the burning house and were
soon burning to such extent that they
were seen to be also doomed.
An alarm was given at the Central
office Of the Orange County Telephone
Co. and at once the long ring was sent
over the village circuit and other lines
that would reach nearby residents. A
large crowd OF men responded promptly
to the call and got to the scene as soon Is
/ possible.
The flre engine, which had not been
used at fire for years, was drawn from
/ the engine house, some horses hitched to
nearly a mile up the street. 1t was labo-
rious work, drawing the heavy machine,
which was on wheels, through the soft
snow, but il was got there at last and
went into position back OF E. II. Ken
nedy's barn, drawing water from the
stream In the rear. The long line OF hose
was run out, willing hands grasped the
pumps and soon a big stream OF water
was thrown into the roaring flames.
Then the stream was shifted to the near
by house Of l. NJ. Towner, which came
next to the Rogers house on that side Of
the street, and barrels OF water were
poured over the roof and side to save the
building, which had caught FIRE several
times.
The fro was controlled at the Rogers
place In spite Of the hurricane which was
blowing the sparks in all directions. and
the Towner house was saved. II Il had
not been for the engine, this house must
have burned, and in such case there is no
doubt but the houses Of e. II. Kennedy
and Charles Bacon on the same side Of
the street and Amos Wright opposite
would have gone also and possibly more.
The Wright barn did catch fire once from
sparks, but Il was seen in time to be
promptly put out.
Most Of the furniture and much Of the
clothing In both the burned houses was
saved, but Of course all was more or less
damaged. The Towner house was dam
aged from water and the too persistent
efforts OF the crowd to save the windows
and doors. Much Of the furniture and
carpets was a wreck.
Chief Engineer George Tracy was on'
Of the first to arrive on the scene, and shi
two assistants, w. H. Dearborn and Oil
YER Burgess, were promptly ON tbs
J ground.
sanborn's buildings and contents wer'
, insured for $500; the Rogers house FOL
$500 and contents for 600. Mr.. Roger
/ had about so bushels OF potatoes burned
J in the cellar and eight solid cords of rock
I maple wood In the shed.
/ The fire loss is estimated to be at leas
= $1,000.
This is the first serious FIRE experienced
: in this village since the Union store, stu
ated on the site now occupied by tn
. bank block, burned Feb. 10, 1892.
Mrs. p. W. Rogers and family, witt
were burned out Of house and home. hav'
moved to STAFFORD, where Mr.. Rogers
at work ia a mill.
4 vuIture Engine Co, No. 4, should b
reorganized at once. II was a miracl
! that any work could have been done wit
the engine, yet as soon as II had half
chance It took hold with the vim of ear
! lier days when 1t was the banner engin
4 Of Quincy, Mass. The Vulture has
record here in this town OF throwing
practice stream over the spire CT tn
Cong'l church. Let us reorganize tn
company at once for protection and ?
"a prepared for a call any minute, as thl
is the only thing to save our village
Il fire should get started in the business SEE
ton.
~ At the FIRE there were many narrow e
n cages, but no serious injuries. Tom Hol
n kins fell from the roof and injured d.
= ankle: George Tracy burned his facs
. win Cook lost the back Of his vest re-
y Allen viii need a new pair Of pants an
= VIII 9. Hood got his hair pretty we
n Drowned, but altogether It was wond'
"a all came out 30 we'll.
N w. II. Sprague came near having
a. SIS coon coat burned. He had thrown
"a OF in one Of the rooms to help carry q
~ goods and thought no more about 4, o.
his son, John, happened to see 1t Just
az the fire reached the cost, and grabbed
~ lust in time.