Putnam patriot., 1925-11-27

Following the discovery uf smoke pouring from door leading to the cellar at Fox Hill Farm" the fash ionable boarding house of Miss Eliuor Mathewson, pomfret. at f2.30 o', clock, Thanksgiving afternoon. the en- tire building with all ef it's contents was burned flat to the ground within an hour. Guests and servahts were obliged to fee the burning building with no opportunity to save personal belongings and the Thanksgiving din- ner, about to be put upon the table. was abandoned to the flames. The loss sustained is estimated at from $50. GOO to sa0.oo0 and WAS only partly covered by insurance.
 Origin Uncertain
 The origin of the fire IS unknown but the fact that 1t started in the cellar leads to the conclusion that it was in some way connected with the heater where soft coal was being burn ed.
 Discovered by Brother
 Dr. Henry Mathewson of Provi- dence, brother of Miss Elinor Math- ewson, was the first one to discover that the house was on fire. He. with his family. had motoHed from Pro- vidence to enjoy Thanksgiving it was the first family reunion of the kind in twenty years. When Dr Ma thewson saw black smoke issuing from under door leading te the cellar he quietly opened the door. A puif of bihck smoke confronted the doetoS Quickly closing the door he went Co the rear of the house and opened an- other door leading Co the cellar. Here another elega of dense black smoke rolled forth.
 Gives Alarm
 Realizing that the situation was dangerous De MathewaaH gave the alarm and all of the guests n the house. some heinz out of danra an the piazza, Left inc Building without any nne being injured. There were from fifteen to eighteen guests and q staff of from six to eight servants. None had time to save their personal be- iougings so rapidly the flames spread and the dense black smoke alone made t impossible for them to enter rooms to salvage wearing apparel, iewelry or other personal property. As far as known family Bible. l50 years old, containing records of the Mathew son family, two portraits and bowl of gold fish were ali that was saved.
 Alarm RunE i.i0
 The alarm was given ey telephone and the fire department from Putnam was summoned. The fire alarm in this city rang about l.10 p. m. But the flames spread SO rapidly that there was nothing that could be done. The barn near the house was saved and the herd of cattle were taken from this building to safety.
 Many of the guests had been giv- en blankets and. wrapped In these they stood about until the building was 10 more.
 Opens Moves House
 Miss Mathewson has been the care taker for the house of Miss Katherine Moves nearby. The house had been closed for the winter but was opened for the emergency, fires were lighted and the guests from the boarding house soon taking shelter there. Kind nelghbors and friends provided be. lated Thanksgiving dinner of chicken but. although those who had been made homeless and lost their property took the situation philosophieally, ths dinner was not the joyous affair thai l had been anticipated.
 Second Holiday Fire
 This ia the second loss that Mis- Mathewson has sustained from fire The boarding house located upon tn same spot was totally destroyed Janu ary 1, 1915. Miss Mathewson had tn sympathy of all She was made t realize this as each one expressed ( her their sorrow at her great loss Holidays seem Co be unlucky fo me-" she replied. alluding to the fir ten years ago on New Years day '1 shall not rebuild" she said, bu