Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-04
NEW LONDON'S MUNICIPAL BUILDING RemodeIIed $112,000 City Hall Fast Replacing Old
 Brown Stone Structure
 MORE APPARATUS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Commissioners Go Ahead Without Recommendations of Chief Stanners-Eeupm Needs mproving-Fire Ar1shouse We'll Handled-One Man Burned to Death
APPARATUS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT

general efficiency of the department.
 The chief has the knowledge, but he
 real wants of the department known. fearing perhaps the charge of extrava-
 gance and perhaps partiality. He is too good a fireman to hide his knowl- edge under a bushel.
 Though one man. John H. cronss-
 herry, was burned to death early
 Thursday morning, when the New
 London alrnshouse was ablaze, 1t was
 proven beyond doubt that the fire
 teer organization, that the valuable
 work rendered could not be equaled
 by any paid department that city of Its size could maintain The depart
 ment responded just as promptly as were the members on the city payroll
 and in large numbers, so large that Chief Stanners divided the fire fighters,
 using a part in saving the building from destruction, and the balance in rescuing the over sixty persons that were in the burning building, many of whom were old and feeble women. The firemen worked heroically and with characteristic bravery. Though the almshouse is located quite dis tance from the business center, the fremen made quick response and sue ceeded in subduing the fire before any is believed that the loss by fire will not exceed $1,000. This, coupled with the many thrilling rescues by the vol unteers. was justification of the high subordinates in the department, which was joined in by the whole people.
 The unfortunate man who was roasted alive in the padded cell of the institution was placed there about twelve hours before the fire suffering from delirium tremens, and, though search was made for him be- fore being placed in the cell, it is believed that he had matches in his possession and accidentally started the fire that resulted in his death and endangered the lives of many others. All the inmates rescued were taken to the Memorial hospital, nearby, and returned to the almshouse, as only one portion of the building was dam aged beyond occupancy.
 The almshouse is a large, three story brick building located in Jeff ferson avenue, and in one of the most slightly positions in the city, is kept in good condition and most excel lently managed. Still, the building therefore not as well equipped as are the modern buildings of today. The surrounding property that was once used as the town farm, has been gradually encroaehed upon by hos pital buildings, and there is no oppor- tunity for farming or to keep the men who are able to work busy in, the fields during the growing season. Therefore it has been planned to have new almshouse in the not very dis tant future and one that will con meet with farm large enough to supply the inmates with the products of the soil and. perhaps, enough be- sides, to furnish to the outside poor
 The late Sebastian D. Lawrence made provision for the erection of new almshouse, and the fund for that purpose is now about $54,000. Repairs will be made in the present building without any delay and within two weeks it will be in just as good con- dition as before the fire.l