State Line Depot, Store and Freight House Destroyed

The Monadnock Breeze, Nov. 28, 1930

May be a reprint from Winchendon Courier

“Fire of unknown original completely destroyed the combination railroad station, post office, freight house and general store at State Line, early Sunday morning, Nov. 23. The fire was discovered by passing motorists who reported the fact to Police Captain Daniel J. Flaherty, who was on duty at that time. Capt. Flaherty immediately got in touch with the local fire department and Michael McDonald and three men of the night crew took a pumping engine and went to the scene of the fire. 

“The building was a mass of flames when the firemen arrived and fast work was necessary to save the small tool house which was situated on the other side of the tracks. Several grass fires were well under way, but were soon under control when the engine pump got into action. A brook flowing near the rear of the station furnished plenty of water to fight the fire after the apparatus arrived.

“The neighbors were aroused by passing motorists, among whom was Irving Rugg, section foreman of the railroad. Mr. Rugg soon assembled a force and did all possible to save the buildings. When they started work the fire was in the rear of the building, and as there was no stove or any other thing to cause fire in this section of the building, and as there was no stove or any other thing to cause fire in this section of the building the cause of the fire remains a mystery. The fire had gained such headway that it was impossible to save any part of the building or contents. Sam Williams, station master, also conducted a small general store and the State Line post office. His stock in trade loss was in the neighborhood of $200.

“The station and freight office was built about 70 years ago, at the time when Capt. Murdock was president of the Cheshire railroad. The building was about 60 feet by 42 feet and was valued at $3000.

“The Jonas Damon estate had delivered for shipment 3000 table legs on Saturday afternoon, all of which were destroyed. It was thought that no mail was lost  in the fire as the incoming mail had been received and distributed early in the evening and only a very small stock of stamps were on hand.

“A crew of section workmen were at work on the ruins Monday morning filling in the small cellar hole and clearing away the debris. The station at Naukeag, which has been closed for some time, is to be moved to State Line and will be located on the site of the old station.”