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To read the book, click here - Salisbury Chamber of Commerce

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SALISBURY HISTORYcould do little to stop <strong>the</strong> fire. <strong>Salisbury</strong> firemen were hamperedby <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> water at <strong>the</strong> beach had been shut<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> week before.A call was sent to Amesbury and <strong>the</strong>y sent a company <strong>of</strong>men. The fire had gained ground with many buildingsal<strong>read</strong>y consumed in flames. The Amesbury engine was stationedat <strong>the</strong> “Creek’’ just above Bragdons Dance Hall. Itwas necessary to pump through several hundred feet <strong>of</strong>hose. Just as <strong>the</strong> firemen were beginning to make a bit <strong>of</strong>progress, a joint burst. When Chief Filman <strong>of</strong> Amesburyarrived on <strong>the</strong> scene, he advised his men to concentrate <strong>the</strong>irefforts on <strong>the</strong> Bowken Cottage, located just behind <strong>the</strong> beachstables. They were able to contain that portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire,saving at least twelve more cottages, <strong>the</strong> stables and <strong>the</strong> flyinghorse barn.The group <strong>of</strong> firefighters were unable to control <strong>the</strong> rest<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire. Flames jumped from building to building, sweepinga wide path to <strong>the</strong> Black Rocks railway tracks.Superintendent Lynde <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Haverhill, Merrimac andAmesbury line, ordered a special car to run to Amesbury tobring supplies for <strong>the</strong> engine and food and c<strong>of</strong>fee for <strong>the</strong> firemen.It was <strong>the</strong>n announced that <strong>the</strong> coal supply for <strong>the</strong>engine was almost gone. If more was not found soon, <strong>the</strong>engine would have to be shut down. A news reporter and anAmesbury fireman checked cottages on <strong>the</strong> beach to see ifanyone could tell <strong>the</strong>m w<strong>here</strong> to find some s<strong>of</strong>t coal. SuperintendentLynde heard <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> need and led <strong>the</strong> men to a largebin in <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cushing House w<strong>here</strong> several tons <strong>of</strong>coal was stored. They soon hauled a wagonload <strong>of</strong> coal to <strong>the</strong>engine.By this time, <strong>the</strong> fire had worked its way down to <strong>the</strong>Round House, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best built cottages on <strong>the</strong> beach. It68

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