The Somerset reporter., 1909-07-22
Fire at Catholic Parsonage.

A nre discovered shortly after four
O'Clock, Friday morning, in the base
ment of the parsonage of st. Mary's
Church, then occupied by Rev. A. o.
Lacroix, occasioned serious injury to
the building before it was finally ex-
tinguished, and had it not been for it's
early discovery must have destroyed
the parsonage and threatened the
other church property, as it proved a
hard fire to fight. The direct damage
by fire was confined to portions of the
floors and inside partitions, but the
dense smoke and large quantity of
water used damaged the entire build
ing to considerable extent.
The fire was first discovered by
William Dutton, engineer Of the
train leaving this station at $40,
while on his way to his engine. Af
ter calling and notifying Father La
croix of the existence of the fire, Mr.
Dutton hurried up the street and noti-
fed night watchman Charles Steward,
who rang in the alarm from Box "a.
The department responded promptly,
and rendered efficient service. This
was the first opportunity the reorgan-
lied department has had to display
it's effectiveness, and they showed
themselves equal to the occasion,
conquer ing a stubborn and creeping
blaze in difficult situation.
The loss is probably fully covered
by insurance. The building was in
sured for $4,000, in favor of the Roman
Catholic Bishop of Maine, in whom
the title to the property is vested, and
the furniture belonging to the society
was insured for $500. Father Lacroix's
personal effects were insured for $780,
The loss was much lighter than
might be expected, as the greater
part of he furniture and other NOV
ables had been transferred to the
parochial farm on the Norridgewock
road.
The cause of the fire is not appar-
ent. The basement contained large
quantity of stove wood, and it was
from this wood that the smoke seem
ed to be first issuing when the fire.
men arrived.
The pressure from the hydrants
furnished a strong stream for the use
of the department, but slight delay
was caused at first in securing a sup
ply from the nearest hydrant. Supt
Herbert Wentworth of the Skowhe-
gan Water Company states that foi
some time past the company has been
troubled with leak in this vicinity
which they have been unable to To-
cate. The section affected by the
leak extended from the junction OF
Bush and Water Streets to the Maine
Central railroad crossing. This was
recently shortened by placing a gate
at the corner of North and Water
Streets, leaving the section of Water
| St., between Bush and North Sts.
affected by the leak. The gates shut
ting off this section have been closed
nights, on account of the lowered
pressure resulting from the leak, and
Mr.. Wentworth states that the wrench
for opening the gate was left where
it could easily be obtained, but there
appears to have been a misunder-
standing as to its exact location and
! MIR. Wentworth's automo bile had
been put out of commission by Il mis-
hap to the engine the day before, sc
there was a short wait before water
was secured. Two other hydrants
near by were available for Immediate
use, however, one near Mr.. A. F.. Bis
sons residence, and one at the cor
ner of North and High Street, and the
delay was not as serious in its effects
as it might otherwise have been.