The Somerville Journal, 8 April 1898
| Old Landmark Gone Russell House, Formerly Known as the Roadside Inn, Destroyed by Fire |
| The "Roadside Inn" a large two and a half story wooden dwelling at 1241 Broadway, Clarendon Hill, was practically destroyed by an incendiary fire Tuesday evening. The building was one of the oldest in the city. The main Portion is said to have been built 150 years ago, and an ell was added fifty years later. The structure had never been materially altered, and very slight repairs have been made, even the original wallpaper having been intact up to the time of the fire. The building was owned by the William Russell heirs. One hundred years ago it was known as the "Roadside Inn" an institution which local history says was liberally patronized by travelers between Boston and Lowell. The present owners had recently commenced the work of tearing down the building, and the roof had been partially removed. The second floor and blind attic had not been occupied for several years. Twenty-five years ago the second floor was converted into a dance hall, and proved to be the favorite resort of the young people of the locality at that time. |
| Of late Mrs. C. T. Sheehan, a widow, has been living on the ground floor. She had intended moving Tuesday, but the inclement weather prevented. That evening she was at her sister's house when the fire was discovered burning fiercely on the second floor. Box 448 was rung in at 8.15 o'clock, and the fire department worked nearly two hours before the fire was extinguished. The building was badly gutted, but the loss is only represented by the value of the firewood which was destroyed. Investigation by Chief Engineer Hopkins showed that fires had evidently been set in several places on the second floor. It was an easy matter to gain access to the building. |
The Arlington Advocate, 22 April 1898
| We announced not long ago that a call to the members of the Cambridge military companies resident here to respond for duty would be twelve blasts on the fire gong, repeated. Wednesday evening the selectmen received such notice and chief engineer Gott sounded the alarm. The response was prompt and, cheered by a crowd, the young men left on an electric car to report for duty. Instead of emanating from proper authority, however, the call was by one of the Cambridge captains, for his own convenience. That sort an an officer needs to go back to the ranks and learn over again the first duty of a soldier. |
The Arlington Advocate, 29 April 1898
| The George Ahern, whose arrest was tabulated last week should not be confounded with Geo. E. Ahern, a graduate of Arlington High and a student at Tufts College in the graduating class of '98. The names are similar, but that is the only way, apparently, in which the two men resemble each other. |
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