The Altamont Enterprise, November 19, 2015

FARM HOUSE BURNED SATURDAY

Residence Owned by Mrs. Harriet Van Heusen, Near Guilderland Centre, Destroyed by Flames — Caught Fire From Steam Roller

The farm house owned by Mrs. Harriet Van Heusen of Albany and occupied by Alfred Jacobson and family, situated about a mile and a half southeast of Guilderland Centre, was destroyed by fire late Saturday afternoon. The loss is estimated at $5,000, which is partly covered by insurance. Mr. Jacobson has an insurance of $500 in the town company.

The origin of the fire is in doubt, but neighbors believe it was caused by sparks from a passing steam roller. Mr. Jacobson’s loss is considerable. With the exception of some furniture and carpet taken from the front part of the house, the entire contents of the building were a complete loss. An invalid daughter of Mr. Jacobson was carried from the house and the other members of the family escaped, but were able to save but a few articles of value. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson were on a visit with relatives in Schenectady and had just arrived there when they were notified by telephone of their loss.

CLARKSVILLE — NORTH END

Morgan Barber has been expanding his cellar.

Charles Condon, while helping to enlarge Morgan Barber’s cellar one day last week, discovered what are believed to be the bones of a human skeleton.

FREIGHT DERAILMENT RIPS UP ROADBED

A broken rail ditched a northbound extra freight on the D. & H. railroad near Cobleskill Tuesday night, and not only piled 27 cars, mostly loaded with coal, in a mass of wreckage, but tore up both its tracks. The northbound main track was torn up for three-quarters of a mile, and the southbound main was pushed into the ditch for 500 feet. Through traffic was not resumed until 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, passengers and mail having to be transferred.

Standing on top of the train when it was derailed was Clarence Springer, a trainman from Oneonta. When rescuers sought him in a mass of broken cars he was found in their midst, protected by the cars themselves, and with only one hand injured. Harry Phillips, another trainman, had one shoulder injured.

VILLAGE NOTES

The deer season closed Nov. 15 at midnight. The number of hunting fatalities this season is far below last year’s record, while only three persons were mistaken for deer and killed.

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