History of Keene, New Hampshire, USA

Keene, (N. H.) June 1. FIRE. - The inhabitants of this village were alarmed on Monday night, about 11 o'clock by the flames bursting through the roof of the large three story Stage-Tavern-House, owned by E. Parker, Esq. and Mr. Timothy Hall, and occupied by Mr. George Sparhawk. Before a sufficient number of the citizens could be collected to work the principle engine, all expectation of saving the building thus enveloped, was lost, and every effort was directed to stop its further progress, and rescue from the flames as much of the furniture and other property in the house, as possible. As the fire broke out in the upper story or garret in the S. W. corner of the house, the store of Mr. L. Weelock, situated only 20 feet south, was at first most imminently endangered. Providentially, the air was very still, and before the heat became excessive, that exposed, was covered with blankets, and kept perfectly soaked with the engine. By this time the air was in motion, and the flames had...

Keene, New Hampshire
Chief town of Cheshire county, is one of the most flourishing towns in N.H. It is 80 miles W.N.W. from Boston, 60 S. from Dartmouth college, 43 S.S.E. from Windsor, Vt., 40 W. from Amherst, and 55 W.S.W. from Concord. The soil is of various kinds, and generally good.

Ashuelot river has its source in a pond in Washington, and discharges itself into the Connecticut, at Hinsdale, 20 miles distant from Keene. Keene has been called one of the "prettiest villages" in New England, and president Dwight, in his travels, pronounces it to be one of the pleasantest inland towns he had seen. The principal village is situated on a flat, E. of the Ashuelot, nearly equidistant from that and the upland. It is particularly entitled to notice for the extent, width, and uniform level of its streets. The main street, extending one mile in a straight line, is almost a perfect level, and is well ornamented with trees. The buildings are good and well arranged; some of them are...

Keene, a beautiful post-village and seat of justice of Cheshire county, New Hampshire, is situated on the left bank of the Ashuelot river, and at the junction of the Connecticut River railroad with the Cheshire railroad, 93 miles N. W. from Boston. It is remarkable for the extent, width, and uniform level of its streets. Maine street, extending a mile in a straight line, is almost a perfect level, and handsomely ornamented with shade-trees. Besides the county buildings, the village contains 4 or 5 churches, 2 banks, and several fine schools. Three newspapers are issued weekly. The inhabitants are noted for their enterprise, and are extensively engaged in the various branches of trade and manufactures. Population of the township in 1840, 2010; in 1850, 3392.

THE STORM of last week was very severe with us, but much more so in other parts. At Manchester several unfinished buildings were blown down. At Keene and in that vicinity much damage was done. - Several barns and sheds were unroofed, chimnies and trees were blown down. At Northumberland in this State, according to the Lancaster Democrat, the gale was tremendous. The bridge across the Connecticut covered, and 300 feet in length, was literally lifted up and set down upon the river below, where it still furnishes a convenient crossing for foot passengers. Chimnies, fences, barns, sheds, were blown down, and other damage done.

KEENE, N. H., Oct. 21. - About twelve o'clock on Thursday night fire was discovered in the rear of Richards' block, which was soon communicated to two blocks north of this, and owned by Colony Brothers. As soon as it was discovered that these three buildings could not be saved, a wooden building owned by Hon. T. M. Edwards, and occupied by the Post Office, was torn down, to prevent the flames from operating. The principal sufferers by the fire are: - George H. Richards' building, valued at $12,000, and insured for $5000; Colony Brothers' building, valued at $15,000, and insured for $8000; T. M. Edwards, owner of the Post Office building, loss $1000; J. B. Knowlton, hardware dealer, loss on stock, $6000, of which $3000 were insured; J. K. Stone, 6000 bales of wool, insured for $4000; French & Sawyer, photographers, loss $2000, and not insured; Clark Farrar, fancy goods, loss $800; not insured. Three blocks of builders were destroyed, and nothing was left standing between the Cheshire...

On Monday afternoon of this week Keene was visited by a conflagration which in the amount of property destroyed, and in detriment to the manufacturing and laboring interests of the place, was by far the most disastrous of any which our citizens have ever experienced. The flames broke out at about half-past four o'clock, and in less than as hour and a half, the entire group of shops, store houses, dry houses, &c., &c., with only one exception, situated on the south side of Mechanic street, together with Mr. Prindell's dwelling house, and that of Mr. Kidder on the opposite side of the street, and Mr. Bridgman's barn, were smouldering[sic] mass of ruins. The fire originated in Nims & Crossfield's engine house, where it is supposed that a puff of flame from the fire under the boiler set fire to some waste which was lying near, and from thence the flames spread with almost incredible rapidity throughout the whole building and to those adjoining. So rapid was the spread of the fire that...

While jointing some heavy two-inch planks upon the buzz planer at Nims, Whitney & Co.'s, Thursday morning, Oscar H. Fay let his left hand slip from the work which he was holding. The fingers struck upon the planer knife and in an instant were terribly cut and torn. The small finger was severed below the second joint, the next one between the joints, and the middle finger was split or planed off so that the first joint will be stiff. Mr. Fay was taken at once to the office of Dr. Gleason and his hand was dressed by Doctors Gleason and Flagg. He will draw $25 a week from the Iron Hall during his disability.