Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-01
e east, and another building was in

But if one could have been stationed
at that time on any one Of the roads
that lead to the village he would have
seen that which would have thrilled
flashed by in the darkness and rain.
through the deep mud. skidding at
times from one side Of the narrow
road to the other risking destruction
every moment. And each machine was
loaded down to the utmost with men
who chung desperately to the running
boards, the tenders and anything that
gave hope of support. Sometimes .
rider would be flung into the ditch:
but he was left where he fell. like a
wounded soldier in a charge. and the
yenturesome driver tried to give more
speed to his car. These were farmers.
Injured to toll and long hours and ever
ready to lend helping hand. They
the hope, as class, of this troubled
nation, and they feared nothing but
God. They knew how to fight country
fires. Some of them had the expert
ence of half century. They came
armed with axes. picks and pals. With
the advent of the first car it seemed
as IL the roads flung automobiles from
their dark depths into the village 1t
appeared to be but moment when the
streets were alive with sturdy men
who went each to his allotted station,
calmly. silently but with firm, set lips
and doRged determination. But des-
| pite their efforts the hungry flames
marched east and west and building
after building collapsed. If the fire
leaped across the street, which it con-
stantly threatened to do, then practi-
cally the whole village must go. This
these farmers We're bravely trying to
prevent. And they succeeded. But
the people especially the women and
children, were carrying their furniture
and other belongings into the streets.
making ready as best they could. for
the worst.
At the beginning OF the fire calls for
help had been telephoned to adjoining
towns that possessed fire-fighting APP
paratus. In about an hour, travelling
nigh 20 miles through mud and mire
ard rain, two engines capable of
rived and relieved the weary men. Then
hogan a battle royal. Statoning
themselves at each wing of the fire
line, they set themselves to the diff
cult task of stopping the march of the
tames. And they succeeded. Eight
buildings We're wholly or partially de-
stroyed
Some of the characteristics of these
Maine people were brought out during
those trying hours. They are shy.
Unconditional and undemonstrative. A
Maine audience is chary of appiauding
a speaker. however. brilliant he may
be: but not because they are unap-
preciative. 1t may be the result of
cold climate. or Of isolation during its
early history. or an inheritance of
English reserve. But one thing is GER
tain. they are 4 warm-hearted. lovable
people. At the time of the fire there
must have been 1000 or more people in
the streets. There We're many anxious
hearts. for the village seemed doomed
One would suppose that when the fire
engines arrived a shout of JOY would
have gone up from the threats of these
people. hut there was absolutely no
demonstration whatever. Yet they
surely We're filled with gratitude and
thanksgiving and there were many
moist eyes.
AS the fir~men fought desperately to
save the last remaining building be-
tween the burned district and the
bridge and which was used as a store
with living rooms above, one might
have witnessed e pathetic scene The
owner was standing alone in the mid
! die of the street. Unmndful of the
crowds that passed and repassed him
and speaking to no one. Sometimes
his eyes were fixed on the engine and
the men who were fighting the flames
so persistently. Then he would turn
: them toward his home where his fam
lily waited in anxious suspense. For
long time ne stood there like a statue.
One might try to picture his emotions.
his hopes and his fears, but probably
without success. 1t is pleasure to
record that the fire was stayed and the
nome was saved.
Ana through 1t all old MoAnt Nc
C1affey looked down upon the burning
village that lay it it's feet. unmoved
For 100 years it had looked at inter
walls upon burning villages and light
ming struck farm houses What was
this but one more? And there were
others to come. The rosy light crept
| up its slopes until its outlines We're
| sharply defined against the inky hack
ground Of night. and if it could have
spoken il might well have said what
fools these mortals he. Today they
are. and tomorrow they are not, while
millions of years have passed since
first reared my head from out the
depths of the primordal seas. and long
after this ephemeral race of man shall
! have ceased to exist, shall still sit
here in majesty and look down on the
dying earth and the fading sun"
-THOS. S. HOPKINS.
Seventy-two years ago the writer.
holding tightly his mothers hand. wit
| messed still mere destructive confa-
! grafton in this same village.