Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-01-13

Hotel Burlington Destroyed by Fire.
One OF the most disastrous fires in the
history of Burlington occurred bet tween
the hours OF 4 80 Saturday afternoon and
midnight when the Hotel Burlington vas
practically wiped out of existence and the
The estimated loss is about 1900, 900.
The hotel is a wreck above the first
floor, the interior Of the Walker block in
which were many residential apartments
is scooped out and the stores of q. L.
soule 4 Co. and 7. F. Ahearn, the Rut-
land Railroad Office, e. F. Ishaln's pool
room and the Crystal Pharmacy are
ruined by smoke and water. The losses
are well covered by insurance.
The fire started on the second floor of
the hotel and assembled by the air shaft to
the roof. The upper part OF the struc-
ture was in flames in a short time. Then
the blaze ate its way down to the two
lower stories. Up to $3.50 O'Clock it was
thought that the Walker block was in no
danger, but the flames broke through
into the attic and in an incredibly short
time had Quilted the building. The fire.
men remained all night on the scene.
The fire was discovered in toilet room
by Miss Carrie Drew, the housekeeper.
Early efforts to quell the blaze failed and
an alarm was sent in. Before the quick
response of the firemen, the flames were
breaking through the roof, having swept
up the airshaft with great speed.
There were few guests in the hotel at
the time and Manager Collamer went
from room to room aud notified every
one. II was q hard fight from then on
till morning. No one was killed or seri
ously injured, but there we're narrow es-
capes and heavy losses By guests that
were not insured.
Mr.. aud Mrs. II. P. Putnam OF Boston,
who were on their honeymoon and out |
and wedding outfit, valued at
$500.
F. II. McQuesten OF Boston, boiler in
spector, occupied a room on the third
floor. Mr.. McQuesten made several des-
perate but unsuccessful attempts to break
into his room and at the last moment had
10 be forcibly brought dow. by the clerk.
He lost valuable papers and personal
effects.
George M. Delaney, proprietor Of the
hotel, lost heavily. All the furnishings
IL his rooms, personal effects, clothing,
valuable paintings done by his daughter,
Ethel, and other things were destroyed.
w. Il. Haltham, the day clerk, who as
umed his position six weeks ago, coming
rom Woodsville, N. H., is heavy loser
lso. Besides his personal effects he had
100 in money which was destroyed.
Ray Willis, night clerk, lost all his per- I
onal property and some clothing. 4
The residents Of the Walker block we're {
made homeless in a few minutes, but {
uckily there was no casualty or loss OF {
lie. Many OF them went to the Van /
Tess House, and..others found quarters In !
rivate residences. Nearly ell had insur- {
nee.
The people who dwelt there were: Mr..
nd Mrs. o. L Kinds and son, DIR. w. q.
'hurch, Miss Jessie n. Robinson, George {
Howe, Charles Daley, Capt. q. w.
Homer. Milne, Miss Bertha M. Q
lansom, Mr.. and Mrs. /. B. Grosvenor,
!. A. Delaney, Arthur q. Mansur, A. B. .
iuell, A. H. Shepard, Mr.. and Mrs. Q
owser. g
The Hotel Burlington was built by
gorge NJ. Delaney in 1887. In May OF ?
poe it passed into the hands OF Max L. i
DWELL as trustee, who has managed its :
fairs since.
The Wood bury Walker block was built y
! 1891, by ex-Goy. U. A. Woodbury. and
be late w. X. Walker. II was known q
ben as the Woodbury-Walker block. In c
1O2, Mrs. Lena Belle Walker acquired q
x-Gov. Woodbury's interest. e
II is q curious fact that the sites Of both r
lese buildings have been the scenes OF 4
IL hres. In January Of 1856, the Wheel +
block on the site Of the present Hotel b