Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-04-18
.LOSSOvER $45OO.
Geo. Ba||entine's Farm
Buildings Burned Sunday
Flames Spread to Webb School,
house-.-A|so Destroyed.
Woodland Damaged --Si800 IN
e---Defective Chimney.

Fire completely destroyed the farm
BUILDINGS OF George Balentlne on the
Sidney road sunday afternoon togeth-
er with the Webb schoolhouse several
hundred yards away and lgnlted IN
several places on the roofs of the out
buildings of the Eben Wood farm. The
fire famed by a strong wind even car
ried embers cne-half mile distant to
the home of George Z. HalloWell on
the same road, but no damage was
done. The fire department from this
city, although considering the great
distance of two miles, rendered efIi-
cient service in saving furniture and
protecting the neighboring buildings.
1t was about 12.45 o'clock when a tel
ephone message was sent to the Cen
trail station stating that the White
SchOOlhouSe, SO-called, was on fire and
then the party who telephoned immedi-
ately hung up the receiver. Hose Co.
No. l, went to what is known as the
White schoolhouSe on Pleasant street
only to learn from S. f. Whitcomb of
Western avenue that it was the Balen-
tine farm on the Sidney road that was
on fire. w. w. Berry Immediately tel
ephoned the Central station to have
the Hook & Ladder truck proceed to
the scene of the fire. The truck with
large crew of men started on the
hard Journey and arrived at the scene
in quick time considering the hills to
be clinbod. .,:
When the firemen reached the Bal
entine farm the house and barns We're
one mass of fame and everybody as
e-;y icrh n haI Iyha
furniture they could. Many household
articles and pieces of furniture, includ-
ing the piano. were saved. The firemen,
when they found that they could do
nothing to save the Balentine farm,
directed their attention to the sur
rounding buildings. Embers caught on
the Webb schoolhouse a short distance
away and it was soon in mass of
flames.
Chief Berry realizing the strong wind
that was blowing, sent the firemcn
with ladders to the Eben Wood farm.
The embers from the doomed school
house were blowing directly towards
these buildings. The firemen had not
more than reached the Wood farm be-
fore they found the roof of one of the
barns had ignited. Ladders We're placed
and by the use of a bucket brigade the
buildings We're saved.
The fire was discovered by Mr.. Bal
entinc about noon. 1t caught from a
defective chimney in the ell of the
house. Mr.. Balentine tried to combat
the flames with the use of small pow
der extinguishers but the flames gained
on him. He Immediately sent to the
neiehboring houses for assistance and
soon ready workers were on hand to
save what furniture possible. When
Mr.. Balentine found that he was un-
able to cope with the flames he di-
rected the work of saving the articles.
The livestock was all safely taken
frorn the barns and turned loose in
the fields. The flames spread rapidly
to the main part of the house and the
other way to the carriage house and
large stable. Soon all were in one blaze
and the intense heat drove the work.
ers from the house.
Word was then sent to the Water
Vile department but the misunder-
standing delayed the truck from reach
ing the scene. 1t is doubtful if the
iremcn could have saved any more
than they did, for there was very little
water in that vicinity and not enough
to fight the blazing buildings. The fire.
mer and neighbors protected several
smaller buildings and saved them from
destruction.
The Webb schoolhouse was the next
point and ladders were placed upon the
roof. but the fire was working from
the top as well as the bottom. 1t had
caught from grass fire, ignited by
one of the embers. The wind got a
clear sweep on the building and in
about five minutes from the time it
was noticed it broke cut in a mass of
names. Chief Berry left this point in a
hurry, going directly to the Eben
Wood farm. to which the embers were
flying. Here is where the long roof lad
ders came in handy. These were placed
in several different positions and the
men were able to stop several small
blazes.
After staying to assist for over two
hours, the Waterville firemen return
ed home. The distance to the fire was
the longest which the local department
has ever travelled.
Mr.. Balentine in an interview with
tle Journal reporter stated that his
loss on the buildings and furniture
would reach about s45OO. On the build
lhgs he carried insurance to the
amount Of $500. The loss of the Webb
schoolhouse will amount to but a few
hundred, insurance $500.
n special convocation of Taconnet
thapter' NO. 81. r. A. NJ. will be held
at '.3" Tuesday evening, April 10. Work
III the Past Master and Most Excellent