The Somerset reporter., 1909-04-15
Serious Fire Loss at Norridgewock

One of the most disastrous fires in
years visited us on Friday evening of
last week. 1t caught in the basement
of the Watts block and although it
was early evening, hardly eight
O'Clock, yet the fire was not discover
ed until 1t had gained such headway
that it was impossible to save the
building with the fire fighting ap-
paratus on hand. Desperate effort
was made to combat the fire and for a
time it looked as though they would
succeed as nearly all the fire in the
basement had been put out. 1t was
soon discovered that the flames
had been working up through the
partitions and elevator openings of
Wards grist mill and that the fire
was breaking out through the roof.
Help was teiephoned for to Water
vile as soon as the magnitude of the
fire had been discovered and they re-
sponded with an engine and hose
wagon. The getting of their crew to-
eether and making arrangements for
special train to bring the apparatus
and some delay i'll securing a clear
track all took time and it was nearly
ten O'Clock when they arrived. In
burned to the ground and the adloin-
ing buildings, one occupied by Mr.
Chas. Ward as hardware store and
owned by Augustus Tobey and the
other owned by Il. +. Barker and
used by him as a marble working
shop, were also consumed. 1t was
also a question for a time as to wheth- :
er the Odd Fellows building wouldn't
have to go but this was saved. After
the apparatus from Watervil.e ar
rived their engine was set on the
bridge near CunIiff's blacksmith shop
and hose strung up to the fire and the
ruins thoroughly wet down to elm
mate the danger TO other buildings.
The Watervile boys stayed until
nearly one O'Clock before reloading
their apparatus for home. So quick
was the fire that it was Impossible TO
get anything out of Wards grist mill,
NJ. J. Verrill's store or the rooms he
occupied over the store. Mr.. Horace
Leavitt whose barber shop was next
to Mr.. Verrill's store, succeeded in
getting out the greater part of his
goods in good shape. @. s. Wright
& 20. were not so fortunate, for while
they succeeded in getting out nearly
all Of the goods on the upper floor
there was d large amount in the base
ment which was burned. Mr.. Fred
Rogers who lived over Mr.. Wright's
store also succeeded in getting out
practically all of his household goods.
G. A. Wasd also got out the greater
part of his hardware and the marble
stock of My. Barker's was also nearly
all saved IN good condition. Tho
losses are estimated as follows. !.
Watts block, tS4, 900; Tobey building,
$500; Barker's marble works, $500;
G. A. Ward, stock damage; w. IL.
Ward Co., 81, 500; M. J. Verrill, gro'
ceries and household goods, S1,800;,
II. @. Leavitt,. damage; Q. 8. Wright,
stock, 81, ,OO0;, Fsed Rogers, damage;, !,
Mr.. Barker was away at the time and
on his arrival home he Immediately
leased the basement of the Odd
Fellows building for bis marble cut
ting establishments and Mr.. Wright
has leased a part Of the second floor
which he will hsve converted into a
store. Mr.. III. G. keavitt has also pro-
vided himself with new quarters in
the Ames building for his barber
shop. We learn that Mr.. Verrill in
tends to leave town as soon as his
business can be settled up. He had
only $500 insurance. Mr.. G. S.
Wright was without any insurance,
as was also Mr.. Barker. Mr.. Charles
Ward and the w. IL. Ward Co. were
both insured to partially cover their
loss. The Watts block was built in
1873. This $4,000 loss OH our main
street is sad blow but rumors are
already ahoat that there will be an
other building erected soon If the lot
can be purchased at a reasonable
price