Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-22
Especial to The Bulletin.)

(SpecldI to The 6ullollnJ Putnam, Nov. 21.-Putnam was swept by the worst conflagration of it's history Thursday night. The loss will not be less than $125.O00 and may reach S150.000 This fire is the su- preme effort of the frebug who has been working here for the past three or four weeks, and the city is dazed as a result of the ruin wrought tonight A great part of the fire loss will be absolute, for as far as could be learned at midnight the principal suf- ferers are only lightly covered by in surance. Lumber and Coal Plant Wiped Out.- The big plant of the Wheaton Build ing and Lumber company has been absolutely wiped out in the disaster, and the same is true of the valuable property of the Putnam Coal and Wood company, these two concerns bearing a loss jointly that will total S100,0OO. In the big fire besides the properties mentioned the new brick building owned by the Wheaton Build ing and Lumber company, three dwell ings and a barn. also the property of E. NJ. Wheaton, were destroyed. While the fire was raging sparks were carried mile north. where at the limits of the city other dwellings were set afire and destroyed.
 Fire Discovered at 10.40 p. M.
 The fire was discovered at about 1O4O. The most tangible story of the affair that could be learned at mid night was given by E. M. Wheaton, by far the heaviest loser of all the sufferers. He said that upon coming up from his home at about 6.45 he Visited the plant and made thorough Inspection of every floor of the big z foffr cfo h11i1di10 in uhioh his woodworking business was located Everything was in perfect order and there was no sign of fire anywhere about the property. At about 1O40 an employe of his who was passing along Front street noticed small blaze in the rear of the Wheaton property close to the railroad track.
 Pile of Wood Set Afre.
 An immediate investigation showed that a little pile of wood had been set afre and that the flames were rapidly spreading. In almost inconeeivabie time the whole yard was wrapped in flames
 Automatic SprinkIers of No Avail.
 Mir Wheaton said that the fine au~ tomatic sprinkler system with which his plant was equipped would be of no value in fighting back the flames, which were outside the zone of opera ton of the system. By the time the fire reached the big building the sprinkleFs were of no avail and when the flames reached the structure they ate it up as if it were cardboard. Mr. Wheaton bravely stands his loss, which will probably amount to $75,- 900.
 $5,000 Worth of Coal Destroyed
 E. Nj. Jeslin of the Putnam Ceai and Wood company places his loss at from $1S000 to $20. .000 partly covered by insurance. He said that he had about S5.000 worth of coal iR his yard and this is practically destroyed He also loses his sheds, though the office building was saved and about 200 feet of railroad track and trestle that cost him $7.000.
 Other Concerns Burned Out.
 Other business concerns that were burned out are the w. D. Case Slipper company, estimated loss $5,H00; L. E. Payne, confectionery store, $2,000; the A. J. Warner post, G. A. R.. Cavalry A. M. D. church, Putnam nest of Owls other fraternal organizations, families of Joseph Burke, Thomas Bromley, Wesley Keller, MT. Ducker and others.
 Aid from Webster and Danieison.
 Immediately on noting the propor- tions of the fire the local fire depart ment asked for aid from Webster and Danielson and firemen and apparatus were rushed from these places arriv- ing about midnight. At that hour the fire was under control, but still burn ing fiercely, and the other fire at the north end of the city was assuming startling proportions
 Engines Removed from Roundhouse.
 Every available bit of apparatus and every fireman and many citizens were used at the start in fighting the big fire, the only hope being that it would be confined within certain area which hope was realized. Up in the railroad yards. very close to the fire EAcomotives were hurried out of the roundhouse and all the rolling stock quickly taken out of the danger zone Streams of water were played on the big freight station and other propert1 of the railroad company, all of which ~ escaped injury, excepting some of the telegraph service wires which went down. Electric light circuits were cut by the firemen for protectien's sake and excepting for the flare of thf conhagration the city was plunged 1T darkness.
 Sick Women Removed.
 A peculiar incident of the fire, bu one that necessity demanded, was th' removal from the second floor of on of the Wheaton buildings of tw' women, each of whom had been con fined within three days. and their tW' little babies How the shock will af feet them could not be ascertained.
 Sparks Start Other Fire.
 The Mechanic street fire. a mile t northward of the big blaze, was cause by sparks blown high over the build ings in the intervening space by tn intense heat. Two hourses were de stroyed here and another one badl damaged by fire in ire roof and b water. The house and cottage de stroyed are owned by George L. Pren tice, as was the one damaged, whic was occupied by his son, Harry l Prentice.
 Four Families Burned Out. | At 2 o'clock this morning MT Rren a tice said he was awakened about | II by someone who had discovered tha the roof of bis house was afre. took my bedding and got out" said M 1 Prentice. as he stood surveying tn ruins of his home. Four families wer | burned out by this fire. Louis ThomI | son. who occupied the tenement oyt George l.. Prentice suffered tot; loss. as he had ne insurancg and r