The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-13

the accident to the steamer. When
near the iron bridge over the Wal
loomsac river the kingbolt holding
the pole and whiffietrees fell out.
William Ryan, the driver, was pulled
from his seat and as he failed to re-
lease his hold on the reins he struck
heavily on his side. The horses
with the pole and whiffietrees ran
as far as the Mount Anthony coun-
try club golf links where they were
caught. The horses were cnsider
ably cut by the banging of the
whifietrees upon their heels but
were not badly hurt. The steamer
went into the ditch.
AS soon as the horses could be
returned to the steamer the pole
was roped 20 the running geer of The
engine and the, trip was resumed.
The steamer was stationed in the
highway near the bridge over the
Furnace brook and a single stream
with good pressure was put on the
fire. Because of the distance from
the village and the delays expert
enced the building was doomed be-
fore the department could be OF any
assistance The structure was en-
tirely of wood and in two hours
there was nothing standing bu. the
chimneys and the northwest corner
of the hospital. The department was
able, however, to keep down the big
sheets of flame which were driven
toward the barns and assis in pre-
serving that portion of the property.
Mrs. Thompsons assistance was
invaluable in the work of taking the
inmates from the burning building
She was thoroughly acquainted with
the interior of the house as he,
husband was for several years the
superintendent. After she had mott
fed Overseer Mathers of the fire she
called some of the houses of neigh
bors by telephone and then a. once
hurried to the house. Knowing
where the more feeble of the inmates
were roomed she directed the men
and women who had gathered and all
of the aged and helpless were safely
taken from the house to the shade of
nearby trees.
In the mean time the flames had
jumped the highway and caught the
nearest of the farm buildings, the
corn barn. Men hurried 10 the roof
of this structure and with a bucket
brigade system finally put out the
fire. 1t was hot work and the men
worked like Trojans.
News of the fire was finally sent
to the superintendent in Pownal. He
at once secured an automobile and
hurried to Bennington and Mrs
Phelps took the first trolly car As
soon as he observed that all of the
inmates had been safely taken from
the burning house he hurried to the
village for food as none of them had
had anything to eat since morning.
During the afternoon Overseer
Mathers secured temporary lease
of the American house and the in
maies were taken 10 tneSe quarters
as soon as the arrangements could
be made. During the early evening
they were gradually located in their
rooms but il was not until about
o'clock that supper could be provid
ed for them. All of the dishes were
destroyed in the fire and considerable
time was required TO again euuip the
house for living purposes.
In order to keep as much of the
heat as possible out of the founda-
ton and the prevent the fire from
communicating to the barns, the
steamer was kept in operation all
night until 3 o'clock this morning
when the ruins were considered cool
enough to leave.