Watertown Republican

Fire in the 5th Ward.

Last Friday evening a two story frame dwelling house in the 5th Ward, belonging to Mr. Joseph Simpson, took fire and was soon destroyed. The fire company repaired to the scene of the fire, but too late to render any assistance. The building was occupied by Mr. Simpson and another family. When the fire first broke out quite an excitement was created in the neighborhood by the screams of two children who had been locked up in the house by the mother of the family who rented part of the dwelling from Mr. S. while she was away on some errand. The door of the room where the little ones were locked in was broken open by Mrs. J. J. Lister and her son, who live close by, and the children rescued from probably a horrible death; a warning to other mothers who are in the habit of locking up their children when they wish to go away for a long or short time. Only a small portion of the contents of the building was saved. Mr. Simpson's loss is estimated at over $1200, with an insurance of $350 on building and $50 on contents in the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Mulberger & Gardiner, Agents.