Altamont Enterprise November 14, 1913

WESTERLO: On Hallowe’en morning, Oct. 31st, all the buildings on the grounds of James O. Castle burned. Mr. Castle had risen early to go to Voorheesville after a load of coal. Taking his lantern he went to the barn, hanging it up. He was pitching hay from the loft when his lantern exploded all over the hay which was all on fire in a few moments. As the barn was connected to the wood house and that to the dwelling, (with no fire protection) it could not be put out and soon all lay in ashes. It was only through the heroic efforts of those who had congregated that the Reformed church parsonage was saved, also Mrs. Josiah B. Jones’ dwelling which stood next to it. Had it happened during the dry weather East street would probably been all destroyed. Mr. and Mrs. Castle saved their horse and a few hens but very little of their furniture. Two watches, one of which formerly belonged to their deceased son Thomas, were burned, also all their silverware, china, glass and most of their beautiful dining room furniture. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah B. Jones, who lived in the farther end of the house from the fire saved most of their furniture as the men could work longer before the fire reached them. Mrs. Jones would have lost her life but for the heroic effort of Edward Chase. Mr. and Mrs. Castle and Mr. and Mrs. Jones feel grateful to all their friends and neighbors who helped them in the fire, and especially to Edward Chase do Mr. and Mrs. Jones feel grateful. Mr. Castle is a hard working man and it seemed heartrending to see him and his wife lose their home.

Sunday evening following, Rev. M. S. Red, pastor of the Baptist church, and the deacons, Eddie Hopkins, Anson Barber and Manly Moak, presented James O. Castle, teacher of the bible class in the Sunday School, with a beautiful bible to replace the one burned in the fire.

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AUTO BUS IS SMASHED — Passengers Thrown on Park Lawn in Albany —Three Quite Seriously Injured. The Albany-Altamont auto bus, owned by Peter Smith of this village, was wrecked in Albany about 8:30 last Friday morning and the 13 passengers had narrow escapes from death.

While the heavy machine was going east on Madison avenue at a speed of about 15 miles an hour and within 50 feet of New Scotland Ave., the chauffeur, Geo. Gowey of Troy, saw an automobile owned and driven by A. W. Fuller the architect, slowly nosing its way from New Scotland into Madison avenue. His emergency brake failed to work and to prevent a collision, Gowey turned across the roadway, striking the sidewalk at the New Scotland Ave., entrance to Washington Park with such force that the curbing and flagstones were smashed in two.

The chauffeur and Miss Hattie Smith daughter of the owner, who sat on the front seat, were thrown out on the lawn and escaped injury. All of the 13 passengers were thrown in a heap on the under side as the bus tipped over. The curtains were quickly burst open and those out first quickly assisted the women and the injured out. But three of the passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Petinger of Guilderland Centre, and James A. Keesler of Lyons, were seriously hurt. Mr. Fuller stopped his car and took them to the Albany hospital. It was found Mr. Petinger was cut about the head and had a fractured rib. Mrs. Petinger’s wrist was fractured and Mr. Keesler’s hip and shoulder painfully hurt.

After being righted the bus was driven to Shupp’s garage on Central Ave., under its own power for repairs.

Mr. Smith expects to have the bus repaired in time to start upon regular schedule Saturday morning of this week.

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