Juliand Homestead Fire, May 1881

Chenango Union, May 19, 1881

 

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  The burning of Mr. Juliand's barn, sheds, stables, etc., by lightning on Monday afternoon last, made the largest fire in area ever before seen in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  A slight estimate may be imagined of the extent of the fire by the fact that about an acre of buildings were consumed.  Mr. Juliand's loss can hardly be estimated, as there were large lots of farm machinery, tools and castings which he himself has no memorandum of.  Of livestock there were a pair of fine Kentucky mules, bought in that State by Mr. Juliand last fall;  one three-year-old bay horse; one roan saddle pony, five years old; one short-horn bull, a very valuable animal, once selling for $1,600; one short-horn heifer, a Craggs; one short-horn heifer, a Perl; one valuable Devon heifer; one Berkshire sow; one Yorkshire sow, besides a large number of fancy fowls, of which Mr. Juliand was an extensive breeder.  The loss on other property, such as hay, grain and tools, we have been unable to obtain.  Besides the live stock burned, several horses and other live stock were saved by the exertions of those present. 

 

A strange and unaccountable fact in connection with this disaster, is that the barn that was struck had a cupola, upon which was a lightning rod in good condition, and may still be seen as it fell, with the ground connection all right, the rod firmly embedded in the earth.  Some who saw the building struck think the electric current entered the cupola.  Some of the school children, however, claim to have seen it enter the bay window on the southwest end.  At any rate, this proves that lightning rods are not always a sure protection against thunder storms.--Republican. 

 

Chenango Union, May 26, 1881

 

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  "It never rains but it pours," is an old adage, and often a very true one.  As though the severe loss in live stock at the late fire was not sufficient, fate has ordained that Joseph Juliand should be still further afflicted by the death of a valuable family horse, well known by all the ladies and children hereabouts, as it has carried many of them on a pleasure ride.  "Blucher," the deceased, was not the Blucher of "Wellingtonian" fame, but a grandson of old "Hambletonian," and was quite well known in Tennessee as a trotter, having a record below 2:40.  Maj. Allman, his former owner in that State, paid $1,500 for him, and Mr. Juliand purchased him of the Major about three years since.  He was specially well liked by the family of Mr. Juliand for his gentleness and kindness, as a lady's horse--any lady or child could drive him without trouble.  "Blucher's" death was caused by a change of food, and want of proper stabling, brought about by the fire destroying all of Mr. Juliand's barns and grain--Republican.

 

Chenango Union, June 9, 1881

 

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Joseph Juliand makes a proposition to the citizens of this town to sell his residence, and farm adjoining, as a site for the blind asylum to be erected by the State, in either the fifth or sixth judicial districts.  We understand that Elliot Danforth, Esq., has interested himself in the matter, and promised to visit and confer with some of the members of the commission appointed by the Governor to locate the site for the building.--Republican

 

Chenango Union, June 30, 1881

 

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Joseph Juliand raised the frame of a large new barn on the ruins of his old one, on Wednesday.  It was an old fashioned "raisin'."