Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-03-29

What proved TO be the most disastrous
fire as far as loss of property was con-
cerned, that ever visited Bellows Falls,
broke out Tuesday morning at O'Clock,
and before II was extinguished, loss OF
probably $4,000 to $4,000 was caused
in three of the best business buildings in
the village.
The fire started in Union hall. This
building and the other two which were
burned are located on the east side of
the square. The fire department were
on hand early, but the thermometer be-
ing about 10 degrees below zero, they
met with several hndrances in getting
water The fire started in the large hall
and the entire interior was seething
mass of flames before the water reached
it. From this point it spread both ways,
passing over the top Of the Prevails both
north and south. On the north was the
Arms block" erected by the late Otis
Arms about 1886, a three story, brick
building. On the south was the valuable
four story Hotel Windham building.
Union building, in which the fire started,
was practically destroyed, although if
rebuilt in the same shape as before
some portion of the north part might
be utilized The upper stories of both
the Arms building and Hotel Windham
were destroyed, and many thousand tons
of water was poured down through both
buildings. The progress of the fire had
Of it's further spread was alayed, but the
department continued to play five or six
streams upon the ruins until late in the
afternoon The firms burned out, be-
ginning at the north end are as follows:
Webster & Co. Photographic gallery In
the third story of the Arms building lost
everything. In the second story, the
occupants, c. L. Fletcher, tailors; II. C.
Elliott, insurance; and DR.. ]. S. HILL
were badly damaged by water, as were
the mercantile firms OF Mason Brothers.
pianos; j. b. Bronson, sewing machines;
M. l.. Holmes & Co., ladies' furnishings,
and in the basement the Truax Printing
company and the b p express office.
In Union building, Bodine & Co, plumb
ing; and Fuller's drug store were not
reached by the fire, but the stocks were
seriously damaged, while the dry goods
stores of d. F. Pollard and J. C. Day &
Co., and the boot and shoe store OF
Hatch & Bellows were entirely destroyed,
and the debris lies in the basement,
every floor of that section of the building
having gone down. In the second story,
besides Union hall, which was used as
a public hall and as a drill hall for Com
pany e, were the dental offices OF DIR. O.
M George and the law office Of A. l.
Bolles and a number OF rooms in the
rear which were occupied for storage
The third story of Union building, aside
from the part in which Union hal ex-
tended, was used for armory purposes
by Company f, v. N. G. From the Sec
ond and third stories Of this building
nothing was removed. The floor OF thu
third story fell to the second, but no
below. The fire communicated over TN
wall to the roof of Hotel Windham, which
was one story higher than Union build
ing and extended the whole length o
Hotel Windham and destroyed the roo
and fourth floor. The furnishings OF tn,
fourth story were entirely destroyed
while the stories below were damaged b,
deluge of water poured over them. TIT
hotel was full of guests. practically ever.
room being occupied, but all escaped.
The north store in this building wa
that of Hodgdon & Shaw, and the fir
reached down into that. and with tn