The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-11-04
NINE DEAD IN FIRE
st. J0hnsbury Visited by Fatal Con-
ilagratiOn Saturday Morning-Citi-
Zens' Bank BLOCK Gone.

ST. JohnsDury, oct 31.-A fre in
the Citizens block early yesterday
morning resulted in the loss of nine
lives and property loss of about
$4,000. 1t was the worst fire in the
history Of Vermont as far as the
death loss is concerned
The fire was discovered about
o'clock in the morning by Arthur
Robinson, railroad switchman, in
the basement near Stoliker's restau-
tried to put out the blaze with hand
extinguishers and sent boy through
the block arousing occupants.
The blaze got into the elevator
shaft and instantly the entire block
was in flames, which were bursting
through the roof. Many escaped in
their night clothes.
Those who stopped to dress were
for the most part either killed or in
jured. Many thrilling escapes and
rescues were made.
Guy Cheney and Scott Gochee were
taken from the building on ladders.
Mrs. jeanette Davie, aged 76, es-
capped on a ladder, but was badly
burned, and Mrs. Charles T. Ranlet
was carried down after she had low
cred hereslf on rope to where DAN
| lei Ring, volunteer, could reach
her.
Charles T. Ranlet and L. E. Darl-
ing were killed by dropping to the
pavement Ranlet lived on the fourth
floor and started down a rope, but
fell after going a short distance,
striking on his head and dying almost
instantly Darling tried to escape by
means of the window castings and
patchwork from the fifth floor but
fell from about the fourth He lived
about two hours.
The dead are:
Charles T. Ranlet, aged 35, pro-
prietor of the Ranlet Press. He
leaves a wife.
L. E. Darling, aged 40, an employe
at the scale factory.
Charles Tanner, painter, and his
wife, burned to death.
S. D. Cushman, wife and 1O-year-
old daughter, burned to death.
Rosie Massey, aged IS, employed
in restaurant, burned to death.
Miss May Hubbard, known as May
Sleeper, burned to death.
At Brightlook Hospital are the fol-
lowing: William Pope, burned about
body, face and hands; Leonard Pope
his son, probably fatally burned; Roy
Smith, burned about face and hands
Mrs. jeanette Davie, badly burned
about face and hands, will die. Roy
Cheney, Scott Gochee and Mrs. C.
M. Howe were also burned
The block is five stories high and
owned by the Citizens Bank and
Trust Company and is insured for
100000. The bank fixtures were in
sured for $4,000. The vault in the
bank was uninjured. The bank will
open for business Monday.
Among the heaviest losers are
James T. Richie, clothing, and Lur-
chin & Lurchin, jewellers.
! 1t is supposed the fire started
around the range in Stoliker's restau-
rant and as the door to the kitchen
was opened at once spread to the
elevator shaft.
The injured are reported as doing
well tonight, the hospital authorities
discharging one patient. The Citi-
zens' Bank will reopen for business
Monday. The debris will be cleared
away Immediately and a temporary
roof will be erected.
The funeral of Charles Ranlet
who persisted in the fire, will be held
at the Episcopal church at o'clock
tomorrow afternoon. The body will
be taken to Littleton, N. H.. for bu-
rial.
Herbert Tanner and Stephen Cush-
man, both of whom lost their lives
in the fire, are former residents OF
Montpelier and lived here a few
: years ago. Mr.. Tanners cousin, Err
nest ID. Tanner, still lives in this
city. The unfortunate man was a
visitor here last week and, being q
mason by trade, he was much inter-
ested in the work on the City Hall.
Companies represented by local men
were interested in the st. Johnsbury
fire, the Vermont Mutual Fire Insur.
ance Company carrying between $751;
600 and $4,000 worth of policies, and
the H. w. Kemp agency was interest
ed to the extent of between $4,000
and $4,000. Neither George o. STRAIT,
ton, president of the Vermont Mutual
nor Mr.. Kempt could estimate the
loss as sustained by their companies
, last night Companies represented
by b. A. Sumner are also hit by the
fire, but Mr.. Sumner did not know the
extent of the losses when seen las
night
, Foley's Kidney Remedy will cur,
any case of kidney or bladder trou