The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
EIGHT BURNED TO DEATH IN ANSON FIRE
GEO. ROWE AND FAMILY The VICTIMS
Only Charred Bodies Remain to Tell the Story
Death Was Accidental

George 3 Rowe. aged 81. his wife,
30, and their six children, ranging in
age from / to l3 years, were burned to
death early Saturday morning. in a
fire which destroyed their home in
Anson.
Little is known concerning the de-
tails OF the fire or how it happened
that no one in the family should es-
cape the flames. Harry Gordon of
Anson, the first one to arrive on the
scene declares that when he reached
the building. flames were Ieaping from
the windows and completely filled the
house. He broke in and called to
Rowe but received no response. When
the ruins had cooled sufficiently to
permit an investigation, eight bodies
were found, burned to a crisp Dr.
W. G. Sawyer, the county medical
examiner viewed the remains and then
reached the conclusion that all the
deaths were due TO accident
The family were driven from their
home about two weeks ago by the
freshet and had moved into the build
ing the day previous to the fire. Fri
day evening Mr.. Rowe went to the
village, about mile distant, and pur-
chased some supplies 1t was raining
h RI nd &c h,y, H,t
upon his return home, he started a
fire to dry his clothing; that after
the family had gone to sleep they
We're suffocated and burned before
help could arrive or the flames be
quelled. The eldest child of the lit
tie family, was Harry, aged Is years.
and the youngest. Herbert, 10 months.
The other children were Ellen, Amy.
George and Frank. Rowe, who was
native of England, is survived by a
sister in Halifax and two in England
He had lived in this country for many
years and served with the American
troops in Cuba and in the Spanish
War. He was employed as a laborer
by the Great Northern Paper Co. Mrs
Rowe who was a sister of c. F. Adams
of Anson is also survived by a sister,
Mrs. James Hodgdon and several
nieces and nephews. all residents of
Anson.
The appalling tragedy has cast a
gloom over the people of the little vii
lage in which it occurred and many
there are who feel that foul play must
have been connected with it They
cannot understand how a family of
eight should sleep thru such a fire
and not one escape death. Hardly
person who has discussed the case but
what has expressed the same opinion.
Mr. Rowe was a hard working man
but known as man of excellent
character and good habits. That he
should have an enemy seems impos-
sible to his many friends but they do
not believe but what there is some
thing wrong at the bottom OF the al
fair
Rumors have been started. as rum
ors will be, to the effect that a neigh
Dor of Rowe had declared that he
would get the whole family, TO make
himself even with Rowe in some trou-
BILE they had had Another report
has it that Rowe, who was known to
be thrifty. had $4,000 hidden in the
house These rumors have gained
somewhat of a footing in the minds of
the people of the Somerset town and
despite the verdict of the medical ex-
aminer, Sheriff Goodrich has started
private investigation in the matter
Monday afternoon a hearing was
held at the office of Judge C. O. Small
in Madison. to determine whether or
not there was foul play connected