1857. In September, a large paint shop belonging to the South Gardner Chair Manufacturing Company, near the depot, was burned. Loss, $10,000; insured for $5,500.
Other inconsiderable fires may have occurred.
Hail Storm. A sudden storm of hail came over the north part of Gardner, June 20, 1850, breaking the glass on the west, and north-west side of the buildings where it went. The hail came with such force that it broke down the growing vegetables in its course.
Casualties.
In 1802, Seth Heywood was found dead by the road-side, between Leominster and Westminster; he had been to assist a man in driving some cattle, and, in returning home, it is supposed, he felt unwell and stepped out of the road and died. He was a young man, dearly beloved and greatly lamented by his friends. His age was 25.
In 1818, David Wilder was killed in consequence of a tub of gravel falling on him while he was at work in a well; the tub was drawn
