Orleans County Monitor

South Hardwick.

A disastrous fire occurred here last Monday morning at about two o'clock resulting in the destruction of the dwelling-house, tenant building and barn occupied by F. T. Bridgman, but owned by the late P. S. Benjamin of Wolcott, the "Colonel Earle" buildings and Judevine's store houses, all owned by A. E. Judevine. The fire originated in the barn of the Earle place and then spread rapidly to the other buildings destroyed. Most of the personal property in the Bridgman buildings was saved, though much, as usual in such cases, in a damaged condition. Considerable was saved from the old store-house in the matter of carriages, sleighs and other light property. Considerable valuable wood-working machinery and other property was destroyed. By hard and vigilant work of the "water pail brigade" the fire was confined and localized to the locality where it started. Nothing is known as to its origin, yet many believe it incendiary. The loss on real estate will aggregate nearly $3,000. The Bridgman buildings and contents were not insured. Joseph Gilbert, harness-maker, and I. Bugbee, shoe-maker, were the only occupants of the tenement building, the former for a residence, and the latter for a shoe-shop. Llewellwyn Ainsworth occupied the Earle house, being in the employ of Mr. Judevine. Most of the household property was destroyed. Judevine's property is reported well insured.