Narrow
Escape of Major McDowell
and his family
Delhi Reporter: Early
Saturday morning fire completely destroyed the house on the Strout
farm near the Delhi station occupied by Major McDowell and family.
The fire was caused by
escaping gas from a pipe which ran under the front part of the house
and connected with a stove in the parlor, from which it became
ignited.
The resulting terrific
explosion could ber heard for nearly a mile. It raised the floor so
that it was impossible to open the front door and blew glass from
the windows across several yards into the field.
The house seemed to fill
with flames immediately. The occupants had barely time to escape to
safety, clad only in their night robes.
Mr. and Mrs. McDowell were
sleeping in the room above the explosion and when they leaped from
their beds they seemed to be enveloped in flames.
Upon reaching the bedroom
downstairs, which was opposite the parlor, the occupants seemed to
be in a dazed condition as though stunned from the shock. They
soon realized the state of affairs and ran to safety.
None of the members of the
household had any clothing except what they had on their backs.
Mrs. Hagerman and two
children of Lynedoch, and [Mr.] Smith were staying at the McDowell
home.
At the time of the fire
there was a dance in progress at the Maple Leaf Hotel, and the
dancers were soon on the scene and removed home of the things from
the kitchen and dining room.
At no time were the large
barns in danger as the wind was blowing in the opposite direction.
Major McDowell lost all his
military outfit, which cost in the neighborhood of $300, as well as
many valuable trophies which he had gathered while in England and
France.
We are pleased to learn that
they found some articles in the ruins that they prize very highly.
Som of the items were:
-- Mrs. McDowell's diamond ring, which retained the stone in perfect
condition and the ring apparently unhurt;
-- two of the four medals won by Major McDowell in 1906, one for
being the champion wrestler of Chicago, and the other for being the
champion wrestler of the United States. These he values very highly.
Many other small articles
were recovered.
The loss is partly covered
by insurance. The occupants of the house consider themselves lucky
to have escaped with their lives.
