Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-05
i. GARDINER.
/ It, n
THE City Turns Out to a
Big Fire in Randolph.
Ice House With 4GOO Tons Of
Ice a Total Loss.
RIchmond Defeats Hazzard, s TO 8
---Mary Ann Defeats Thistle.

- ~ 100
Fires have been numerous at Ram
dolph, for the past six weeks or more.
but the most disastrous one for some
time occurred about 315 Saturday
morning, when the Randolph house. Of
the American Ice Co. was totally de-
stroyed. together with tools and 1000
tons Of ice The loss on the building
is about slf ,eoo with no insurance. The
ice Is ALSO a total loss
Mrs. William Fitzgerald, who lives
nearby, is said TO have been the first
one in Randolph to discover the blaze.
She notified her husband. she was UP
early to do her washing. Tim Muir
ply of this city also discovered the
blaze at about the same time and noti-
fled central. but the operator was un-
able tosTaise any one in Randolph and
MIR. Murphy ran across the Gardiner
and Randolph bridge, and awakened
some of the inhabitants.
The alarm was sounded and the fire.
men were soon on the spot, but all
efforts to save the building, which
was now burning briskly. was seen to
tie fruitless Tons of water were
poured onto the doomed structure and
tho .ffremen did good work in saving
adjoining property, especially the res
idence of Charles Carson. which is
only about 80 feet forth of the ice
+ house. IL the wind had been blow
: ing. strongly toward the north, the
Carson house would certainly have
been doomed. Neighbors and others
assisted Mr. Carson in moving his
furniture out of the house, but the
effects We're later returned. when it
was seen that the house was saved.
IT the fire had occurred earlier in
the summer. the loss would have been
greater but shipments have been go
ing on for some time.
A small motor boat owned by Will
liam Wingate. which was anchored
near the building. was scorehed. but
not Seriously damaged.
The wires of the Portland Trunk
line were damaged by having circuits
burned out and crew worked all Sat
urday forenoon doing repair work.
Some of the arms which hold the
wires were also burned off and had
to4be replaced.
The origin of the blaze is unknown,
but it is thought that perhaps Ran
dolph has fire bug, or else someone
WAS i'm the building smoking and ae-
eidentally dropped some hot ashes or
watch.
The house was built in 1885, by
Bodwell K Allen. but was later sold
10 the knickerhocker Ice Co of Phil
adelphia and still alter became the
property of the American lee Co. it's
present owners. There was a saw mill
next 10 Ii at one time, owned by Will
hanson q Co.. but it was torn down
by the kennebec Land & Lumber Co
The fire could be seen for miles
around. as the building was large
one and the sky was brilliantly IL
lumirated, with sparks shooting high
into the heavens, making a handsome
sight. The fire had not been under
way long before large crowd from
Chelsea, Gardiner and other nearby
places were congregated around it.
The building is situated on the west
side of the road which leads OF Au-
gusta. about one-half mile from the
Randolph end of the Gardiner and
Randolph bridge. The blaze started in
the south end, The ruins were still
smouldering. Sunday, and probably
will be for a few days.