The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-19
$4,000 FIRE At
SOUTH POWNAlS !,
THIS MORNING \
A. G. Parker & Son Store and
Baptist Church Destroyed
ALSO A BARN AND SHED
Losses in Each Instance Partially
Covered by Insuranoe-orisin Of
Fire Mystery

A sweeping fire broke out at about
D o'clock this morning in Pownal In
the store owned by Eta p. and Mary
&. Parker and conducted under the
firm name of A. G. Parker C Son.
The flames were first discovered at
$3.50 through an explosion which
awakened the neighbors and in
short time the men in the vicinity
and the Gardner 7. Parker Hose COM
pany had two streams of water play
ing on the flames.
Entrance to the store was impossi-
BILE on account of the dense smoke.
The fire quickly spread to the Baptist
church building which stood. only
few feet west of the store and by the
time the church was well afire the
barn building north of the store,
shed and the residence of Mr.. Par
ker had all in turn caught.
The buildings were all of wood and
in few moments time the four
buildings were a mass of flames.
" AA'AA al UOoniUlt tuOitS lallEu 10
save the buildings the hose was play
ed on the house and as there was lit
tie wind stirring this was saved,
though badly scorched on one side.
There was some damage from smoke
and water
The church and store were soon
burned to the ground as was the shed
and barn buildings. Nothing was
saved in the store but the safe in
which were some valuable papers, it
is expected came through intact.
The Powna postofiice was located
In the store and considerable mail
was destroyed. Some of the most
valuable pieces of furniture were Ia
ken out of the house in time TO avoid
damage from smoke and water.
In the barn there were automobiles
and wagons belonging TO Mr.. Parker
which were saved.
The origin of the fire is a mystery,
though the opinion was generally ex-
pressed by residents that burglars
had probably broken into the store
and set it on fire while at work.
The total loss is estimated at about
$4,000 which is probably about half
covered by insurance The insurance
on the store building is about $4,000
and on the stock about $500. Mr..
Parker considered the building worth
$4,000 The loss on the barn is about
$1,000 with about $500 insurance. The
barn was practically new one hav-
ing been constructed in 1905.
The loss on the church is partially
covered by $4,000 insurance About
three years ago the church was ex-
tensively repaired and improved. Ten
large memorial windows were INSTALL
ed at cost Of $1,000.
During the spreading stage OF the
flames the buildings just west of the
church owned by Frederick Potter
were threatened but with prompt at
tention they escaped with only
scorched exteriors.
Just few feet in front Of the store
was a buried gasoline tank which
caused several explosions.
One of the fire fighters was bis
tered while at work but as far as was
learned no one was seriously injur-
ed.
The store was erected in 1862 to
take the place of the original building
which stood on the same spot. The
old Parker store was built in 1910 in
the upper part of the village.
The postoflice was located in the
building in 1897 and Mr. Parker has
held the position Of postmaster since
1906.