Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-01
FIRE RAzES HOTEL
AT CLINTON, Loss
ESTIMATED $4,000

Clinton, Aug. 31-(Special to Ken
nebec JournaD-The Clinton House,
the towns Oldest hosiery, was burn
ed to the ground early this morning.
The alarm was sounded at O'Clock,
but when discovered, the blaze had
made considerable Roadway. 1t APP
parently started in the kitchen. \
large stable adjoining the hotel was
also destroyed and the total loss is
estimated at $4,000. There is no in
Surance.
The flames rapidly worked up
through the roof There being no
hope of saving the hotel, the volun-
teer fire fighters turned their atten-
ton to removing the furniture ana
fittings. Nearly all the rooms in the
main building were cleared Of turnl-
ture and the big plate windows IN
the front were removed to place p
safety. While one crew was clearing
the hotel others were working 70
save the adjoining residences, Will
bur Dickey's on Main street ana
Marcellus Gains on Pleasant street.
Fortunately there was almost no
wind. so that the efforts could De
centered on keeping those buildings
wet down The heat at times was IN
tense but the workers stood by thelr
posts and the women as well as the
men showed the heroic stuff OF
which they We're made and their as
sistance was of no small account IN
saving both residences. Tall ems
back of the hotel and along Pleasant
street for some distance kept the
cinders from reaching many r'fs
which otherwise would have been IN
great danger
The roof of the Cain residence took
fire in seven places but the fames
were eXtinguished. The refrigerator
factory of F. f. Whitman also
caught three times and here also
members of the crew were on du'%.
II was feared that the Town nall
across the square might be destroyed
but on account of the absence OF
wind it escaped unscorched.
The town being unequipped with
adequate fire fighting apparatus II
at once appeared that help must DE
summoned from outside 50 second
selectman Levi Decker telephoned to
the Waterville fire department. Is
Chief Berry and many Of the men
were at the fair there would pc We
unavoidable delay, so the falrneld
department was called and they le-
l., ono
cart. making the run in ~ minutes
Innumerable streams were play
ing on the ruins and on the sur
rounding premises. The firemen
worked like heroes and stayed by IN
til there was no further need OF
their aid. Many compliments ana
words Of appreciation were heard
for their skill and general efficiency
First selectman, Marcellus Cain gave
them a lunch of hot frankforts ana
coffee at Wins lunchroom before
thew left on their dun to Fairg"id-
w A. Dickey. Marcellus Cain. Dr..
Shaw, DR. Newcome, F. L. Bessc' l..
A. Harmon and many otherr prop
ertv owners were in attendance AZ
the Waterville fair The credit for
saving the Cain residence rested
largely upon Stanley. the young son
Of Marcellus Cain. The way me
Young man rose to the occasion ana
stood by in his fathers absence was
worthy of the highest praise. HAD
that house been destroyed many
thousand dollars worth of property
would bavo zone also
The Clinton House was erected Ill
1884 by Alfred Hunter. 1t was con-
Quoted for many years by the late
Cushman c. Brown. Occupying rs
ii did the center Of the village, itS
destruction is blow to the appear
ance of the village as well as TO ="
business life. For three years the
property has been owned by =.
Richardson, Jr., of Waterville.