Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-04

of the north channel was located the
frame building occupied by the Oricn-
tai Rug Works, of which l.. L. Morri-
son was the proprietor. Overhead was
also the paint shop of Henry Rogers.
This building was burned to the
ground.
Out of the II dwelling houses but four
are standing One of the seven gone
was blown up by dynamite and the one
next to it was badly damaged by the
explosion. The other five were burned
fat as was also the storehouse occu
pied by c. A. Ross.
When the dynamite was used many
plate glass fronts were shattered. 1t was
peculiar the way the explosive worked.
The front of the Second National Bank.
which was the nearest to the explosion,
was not broken, but down Water street
several were destroyed. The damage to
these fronts alone will reach into the
thousands, windows being even broken
on Russell street.
Few of the boarders in the Oxford
saved anything. Although the fire start
| ed in the basement of this hotel the
| people did not seem to realize the dan
ger for, as stated above, it was two
| hours before any flame appeared on the
| front and it was thought the fire would
| be held there.
While the fire is severe one, the
worst the town ever experienced. there
was an element of luck in it which has
been apparent for the last six years, dur
| ing which time the more serious fires
have occurred. That the wind changed
when it did was most fortunate. Had it
| not it is doubtful if single business
block would have been left standing from
| the Oxford to the new municipal building
| And the other side of the street, too,
could have escaped only through a mira
| Gle.
| That there was no loss of life is re
markable. Two men We're badly injured.
A fireman, Harry Jackson, was struck by
| a falling wall and Henry Mitchell, who
was watching the fire, was also struck.
Charles Griffin was slightly hurt and one
| other man. All were removed to their
homes and given medical attention. The
| local fire department is grateful for the
| valuable assistance rendered by the Wa
terville and Fairfield departments. A
| special train brought the steamer from
Waterville and its crew which was set
| to work at the reservoir near Railroad
square. 1t was not necessary to take the
| steamer from the fiat car. Later FAIR
| field was telephoned to and responded
with an engine. This took the place of
| the Skowhegan engine which by that
| time was out of commission. Both the
visiting companies did good work. That
| the citizens of this town appreciate their
services goes without saying.
There is little doubt but what all the
| burned buildings will he rebuilt. That
| the Oxford will be replaced is a certainty
| as there is lack of hotel accommoda-
| tons here. Milburn block is too valuable
a piece Of property to remain vacant
The houses in the-r of the street will
also be rebuilt as the property always
finds ready rental. 1t will mean a big
building boom in town next summer.
All the merchants burned out have
found temporary quarters and were open
for business Saturday. Some had depict
ed stocks of goods, but all were cheerful
realizing that it might have been worse
Skowhegan business men have good cour-
age, and while the fire fiend has given
them a hard rub in the past few years
they are not discouraged but are still in
the game. 1t is safe to say that the
buildings which will replace these burned
will be the equal if not better than those
which went up in smoke.