Fire at Capt. WELLS' house

WELLS, JORDAN, WATROUS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/25/2007 at 12:48:28

"Fairfield Ledger Weekly", March 11, 1869

Another Fire.--- On Saturday last we came near having another destructive fire. The two story house of Capt. WELLS, opposite the Congregational church, and occupied by Mr. Albert S. JORDAN, caught fire from a defective flue, and in a few moments the South side of the building seemed all a-blaze; but the promptness and energy of our citizens, with the use of water, soon extinguished the flames. A small kitchen on the southwest corner, and the porch running on the south side were totally destroyed.--- The main building had the roof injured, the shutters torn off, and was otherwise damaged, The loss on the building is about $700. Mr. JORDAN lost nearly all his dishes, stove, &c., and had his carpets injured. His loss is about $200.

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Also from the "Fairfield Ledger Weekly", March 11, 1869

Destructive Fire.--- The large two story house of Oscar A. WELLS, two miles Northeast of Fairfield, was burned to the ground during the high wind that prevailed on Friday, March 5th. The fire caught from a defective flue. The flames spread so rapidly that Mr. and Mrs. WATROUS, the parents of Mrs. WELLS, saved very little except what they had on their backs. Mr. WELLS saved a silver tea service, and some other articles; but the house, most of the furniture, dishes, &c., was a total loss. About 15 tons of hay was also destroyed. The total loss is estimated at about $5,000, on which there is not a particle of insurance.

Since the above was written, Mr. WELLS called and informs us that the fire originated not from a defective flue, but from the sheet-iron attachment to his kitchen chimney. The attachment was firmly braced, but in spite of his, the high wind made it sway from one side to the other, and through the opening thus made the sparks fell to the roof and set it on fire.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.