MR. HUGH C. ROBERTS. POULTNEY, RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT.
Between 6 and 7 o'clock Wednesday evening during a thunder shower a barn belonging to Jones and Thomas in South Poultney was struck by lightning and soon destroyed by fire. The barn was about fifteen feet in rear of the store and post office, and it required much hard work to save the store.A blacksmith shop adjoining the barn also owned by Jones and Thomas and occupied by Hugh C. Roberts caught from the barn and was soon burned to the ground. The fire was plainly seen from this village, and a number of people went out there, thinking at first that it was the store. A horse, carriage and harness were saved from the barn, although surrounded by flames at the time.
A bobby, cutter, buggy and many other things in the barn were consumed.
It is the greatest wonder that the store was saved, the rain that was falling at the time undoubtedly helped to check the flames.
The loss is not heavy, perhaps $500 or $600, with an insurance of $100 on the shop and $125 on barn and contents.
The Poultney Journal, Vermont ~ July 7th 1893.
MR. HUGH C. ROBERTS. POULTNEY, RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT.
Hugh C. Roberts of South Poultney was fatally burned it is feared, by his clothes taking fire while he was working in his blacksmith shop on January 13th.He evidently tried to put the flames out before help came, but he is too weak to give any patriculars.
The Bethel Courier, Vermont ~ January 23rd 1913.
MR. HUGH C. ROBERTS. POULTNEY, RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT.
BURNED TO DEATH.
This town has again been thrown into deep sorrow by the death of Hugh C. Roberts, which occirred at his home in South Poultney on Tuesday afternoon at 4.30. And the sorrow is the greater because of the manner in which his death occurred, twenty four hours after he had been burned while at work, following which he never regained consiousness.The real cause of the accident which resulted in his death will never be known. Mr. Roberts was alone and at work in his blacksmith shop on Tuesday, as usual, and Mrs. John P. Thomas, who lives over the store adjoining the shop, happened to look out of her window just in time to see Mr. Roberts running toward the store, his clothes a flaming fire. She rushed to the lower door just as Mr. Roberts entered, and with a pair of scissors she ripped the burning garments and tore them from his body. He lapsed into unconsiousness and lingered for 24 hours without regaining sense.
It is thought that Mr. Roberts must have had a fainting spell and pitched forward onto the forge enough to come in contact with the fire.
Hugh C. Roberts was born in Llandegai, North Wales, November 26th, 1842. He came to this country about 38 years ago, settling in "Hyde Patch," later going to Pawlet and then to Poultney. He had been a resident of this town for 30 years, and a staunch, honourable esteemed gentleman who was deserving of the affection which he held among his fellow men. He had been for upwards of a score years a deacon in the South Poultney Welsh church, and was one of the able, solid Christians whose example but stimulates to higher motives those with whom he came in contact.
His wife passed away five years ago, and there now survives him, three daughters, Mrs. Benj. R. Jones of South Poultney, Elizabeth and Annie, both married and living in Lansingburg, New York; two sons, Hugh and Llewellyn of Fair Haven; a grandaughter, Mrs. Griffith Edwards, who made her home with him until marriage; also other grandchildren.