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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-12-31, Page 1* >- E^ghty-rFifth Year s The first New Year’s baby born in South Huron Hospital will be crowned with an assortment of gifts donated by Ex­ eter merchants. The baby derby will begin after the stroke of midnight, Thursday night. First child born in the hospital in 1954 will NEW LEGION OFFICERS — The 1954 officers of the Exeter Branch of the Canadian Le­ gion were installed in a ceremony at the local hall Tuesday night. Andrew Bierling, of Anne St,, is the new president, succeeding Vernon Heywood. Seated are, left to right, Max Har­ ness, first vice-president; President Bierling; Reg McDonald, second vice-president. Stand­ ing are Len McKnight, a former president, now treasurer; Stanley Frayne, secretary; and Version Heywood, past president. ’ —T-A Photo Tuckersmith Elects Reeve, Other Councils Acclaimed All the councils in this district were returned by acclama­ tion this year, with the exception of Tuckersmith where voters will elect a new reeve on January 4. Following- the pattern set earlier this month, most of the townships who held late elections acclaimed their municipal officers on Monday. ------------------------------------------ Warns Taxes taxes May Rise In Usborne A warning that Usborne “won’t be any less and might be more” was issued by Reeve Verne Pincombe Monday afternoon when he and his council were returned to office for the third successive year. Reeve Pincombe reminded a “good” turnout of ratepayers at the nomination meeting that the council had been able to reduce the general township mill rate from seven to six mills during 1953. He doubted if the rate could be reduced more and warned that it might have to be increased. Council struction of two new the township during at the north end of concession, the other’ the Glanville bridge on the sixth. Returned along with the reeve were councillors Harold Hern, Harold Jeffery, Earl Mitchell and Clayton Smith. New Member One new member was elected to the school area board. He is Delmar Skinner who replaces re­ tiring chairman, Horace Del- bridge. Victory Jeffery, a former chairman of the board, was re­ turned. A third nominee, Hugh Love, failed to qualify. Municipal officers who report­ ed on the year’s activities includ­ ed, besides those elected, Newton Clarke, treasurer; Bill Routley, road superintendent; Will Johns, tax collector; Wellington Brock, Ausable Authority representative; Horace Delbridge, chairman the School Area Board; and W. Morgan, S.H.D.H.S. Board presentative. A. G. Hicks was chairman the meeting. During the year, council built a new bridge to replace the Glenn bridge and contributed half to­ wards another on the Hibbert- Usborne boundary. Road Funds The appropriations for * road expenditures were cut from $45,- 000 to $36,000 by the Depart­ ment of Highways. This resulted in less gravelling of roads than in former years. The township tax rate was re­ duced from seven to six mills but the county levy increased from nine to ten. Consequently, the mill rate remained at 28. In reviewing work of County is considering con- bridges in 1954—one the second to replace of A. fe- for Council this year, Reeve Pin­ combe stated it was hoped the new county home would be com­ pleted and paid for during 1954. The Ontario Department of Wel­ fare has contributed one-half of the cost of construction towards this building. A heavy expenditure to the county will be the new court­ house now being considered, Mr. Pincombe said. The cost may well be over the one-half million mark and there are no provincial or federal grants to assist with the expenditure. Biddulph Council Wins Sixth Term For the tenth straight year, Biddulph ratepayers elected their council by’acclamation Monday. The present council > was re­ turned for its sixth consecutive term. Members are Reeve Fred R. Dobbs, of Exeter, and Council­ lors Raymond Greenlee, R.R, 1, Lucan; Austin Hodgins, R.R. 1, Lucan; Timothy Toohey, R.R. 3, Lucan; and Harold Wallis, R.R. 1, Granton. Reeve Dobbs, who lives in Ex­ eter and operates Exeter Motor Sales besides owning a farm in the township, will serve his ninth year on council. He has never had to run in an election. All of the councillors have been members since 1949, the same year Mr. Dobbs was first elected reeve. Hear Reports At what was described as a “very co-operative” meeting in Lucan, Monday, ratepayers heard the annual reports from their re­ presentatives, Redve Dobbs estimates that, barring unforeseen developments, the tax rate will not increase and may possibly be lower in 1954. The council is considering build­ ing one new, bridge on the sixth concession. T. A. Hodgins, who has been a member of a high school board for 26 years, was reappointed to the East Middlesex District High meet- Two In Contest In Tuckersmith In the sole election in South Huron this year, Tuckersmith ratepayers will vote for theii’ reeve on January 4. Andrew Crozier .and James Doig, two members of the 1953 council, are competing for the office of chief magistrate left va­ cant by the retirement of Reeve Moffat, Crozier, of R.R. 2, Sea- who has served for four’ on council, was released D. A. Mr. forth, years from hospital Wednesday after a two-week bout, with He was unable to nomination meeting qualification papers pital bed. Mr. Doig, of R.R. has been a member cil for two years. Reeve Moffat was named for the reeveship again but withdrew because of ill-health. Council Acclaimed Council members and school board trustees were elected by acclamation. Ivan Forsyth and Bert Garrett, each with one year on council, were returned. Roy Bell, who was a former councillor foi’ several years, will return to a seat. New member is David McLean, of R.R. 3, Seaforth. Wilmer Broadfoot, who has al­ ready served two years on the school area board, was returned. A new trustee, Mervyn Falconer, replaces Wilfred Coleman, who resigned. The Tuckersmith nomination meeting was probably the most active, yet quiet, in Huron on Monday. A good crowd attended. Clerk E. ,P. Chesney, of R.R. 4, Seaforth, will foe returning of­ ficer for the election. pneumonia, attend the but signed in his hos- 4, Seaforth, of the coun- New Year! ISbe feeler® mes-Atoocafe EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 31, 1053 Price Per Copy 70 Traffic Fatality, Injuries And Fire Mar Yuletide Festivities In Area The merry season of Christmas was marred in this area bj traffic crashes, which killed one man and injured nine others, and a fire, which threatened an Usborne family. A Hensall man, Thomas Butt, died Tuesday from injuries of an accident on December 23, An RCAF corporal and one of his young sons are still hospitals day foe- Elect Bierling To Vet Post Andrew Bierling, Anne Street, was installed aS president of the Exeter Branch of the Ganadiad Legion Tuesday night. The new president, an overseas veteran Of World War It, spear­ headed the drive to pay for the trap rock floor in Exeter Arena this summer, He has been first vice-president of the Legion dur­ ing the year. Other officers installed were ■Mak Harness, first vice-president; Reg. McDonald, second president; Verne HeyWoOd, past president, tary, and Led McKnight, trea­ surer. Members of the hew executive are Cliff Brirttnell, Bill Cham­ bers, Fred Darling, Ted Pooley, Wes RyCkninn, Lloyd Reynolds, Ernest Wells, Harold Kelson add Ffed Sinihions, Harold Holtzman is sOrgeattt- al-arms. St an Ffayne, Vice- secre- receive the prizes. This is the second baby con­ test sponsored by Exeter mer­ chants since the South Huron Hospital opened. The first con­ test was held last February and the first child born in the new hospital was presented with many gifts, Winner of that derby was John William, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Sharrow, of Grand Bend. Prizes for the first 1954 baby include: baby food from J. H. Jones and Sanders groceries; crib mattress from Hopper-Hoc­ key; toilet trainer from Beavers Hardware; baby’s record book from The Hollow Tree Gift Shop; electric bottle warmer from derson’s; diaper pail from denfield’s Ltd.; diaper bag bottle holder from Dinney niture; child’s book from Choosa Book Shop; wool shawl from Gould and Jory; baby plate and cup from .Traquair’s Hard­ ware; crib sheets from F. A. May and Son; photographs from Jack Doerr, and diapers from Mc- Creery’s Ladies’ and Children’s Wear, An- Lin- and Fur- The Two Reeves Vie For Wardenship At least two reeves will con­ test the 1954 Wardenship of Hu­ ron County, according to reports. Aspirants are Bill Dale, of Hullet, and Rojr Cousins, Brus­ sels, both veteran members of the county council. From Conservatives This year’s warden will be elected from among the Con­ servative members. Although the caucus system of electing the warden has been eliminated, the council still chooses alternately from Liberals and Conservatives. Formerly, the members of the party whose year it was to have the warden’s chair selected the man. Now the whole council votes on the candidates. Succeeds Kerslake The successful reeve in year’s election will replace sail reeve, A. W. Kerslake, was 1953 warden. Five Teams Scramble For Playoff Positions With two, and possibly three, top positions in the Cyclone league virtually clinched, the race in the last half of the schedule will be for the lower playoff positions. At least five teams will be scrambling for the three lucrative spots left in the standing. And by the sound of the financial; moans from some of these clubs, the race will be a desperate one Although all teams but Byron and Ilderton, the lone “B” and “D”. entries, are assured of some playoff hockey, they all want to get a piece of that Cyclone play­ off pie that will be divided at the end of the season. The “pie” is the league play­ downs at the finish of the regu­ lar schedule. For the first time in the recent history of the loop, the six top teams will vie for the Cyclone championship honors. Club managers figured these playoffs will net a fair amount of skins. Death Grip Forest Lakesides grip on top spot last week with their 5-2 victory over their closest rivals, Goderich Samis-Pontiacs. Similarly Goderich knocked off their coffers much-needed took a death this Hen- who spot —Please turn to Page 8 its greatest threat to second in serious condition in from another crash the fore Christmas. Three other same accidents ized. The Usborne Mrs. Bill Coward and five child­ ren, are 'living with relatives while the fire damage to their house, five miles east of Exeter, is being repaired. Hensall Man Crash Victim The district's second traffic fatality this year, Thomas Butt, 63, of Hensall, died on Tuesday in London hospital of a broken neck suffered in an accident just before Christmas. The victim .was on his way to visit his wife in hospital on Wed­ nesday, December 23, when his car skidded into the path of an­ other. Rushed to the same hos­ pital he intended 'to visit, the Hensall man survived his injuries for seven days before succumb­ ing. Huron Crown Attorney Glenn Hays said there would no inquest into the accident. Three Others Injured Three other persons were hurt in the same accident. Mrs. Norma Heal, a passenger in the ‘liutt-ve­ hicle, is in South Huron Hospit­ al with lacerations and sprains. Her condition is described as “good”. Miss Margaret Saugster, Lon­ don, who was in the other car driven by John McFarlane, of victims remain family, of the hospital- Mr. and H. be occurred three miles Exeter on No. 4 High- Patients Forest, was also taken to South Huron Hospital with lacerations. She was released Thursday. Mc­ Farlane received minor cuts. The Butt vehicle, proceeding south, was trying to get in ahead of a bus and car going the same direction when it skidded to the east side of the road where it was struck broadside by the northbound MacFarlane car. The accident south of way. To Visit Both Mr. Butt and Mrs. Heal were going to Victoria JHospital, London, to Mr. Heal, Mrs. Heal, ham, had been visiting with her son, Jack Heal, and his family in Hensail. It was the second fatal acci­ dent in this Provincial Police district this year. A Zurich man, William Rennie, juries in month. In conditions tors. Damage _ _ mated at $1,700. Provincial Con­ stable Cecil Gibbons investigated. Born Near Kippen Mr. Butt was born in Tucker- sinith Township near Kippen. He farmed in Western Canada a number of years, then returned and bought a farm near Kippen. He sold the farm and retired to Hensail two years ago. He was a member of Hensall United Church and the IOOF. Surviving are his widow, the former Gertrude Smith, and two brothers, Roy, of Seaforth, and John, Flint, Michigan. visit Mrs. who were who lives Butt and patients, in Wing- died from in- a crash earlier’ this both accidents, snow were contributing fac- to the cars was esti- FUTURE STARS ENJOY “KIDS’ NIGHT” — One mishap occurred minor hockey night at Exeter Arena Tuesday, Pete** McFalls, nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy McFalls, suf­ fered a fractured forearm when he fell into the boards. Otherwise, the event produced ex­ citing and humorous entertainment for fans who saw boys from "wee wee” to bantam age play in a number of games. • —T-A Photo Families Unite For Christmas Season Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Gould and family, of London, and Mrs. Wil­ liam Sanders with Mr. and William Gould. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell of Munro; Mr. and , Mrs. Mrs. School Board at a recent ing. Blanshard Acclaims In- Blanshard township, A. Stephen was re-elected Members named to the council were T. A. Urago. Kenneth Hod­ gins, Harry Webber and-Clarence Switzer, Bosanquet elected R. J. Ross reeve. Wilfred Fuller Is deputy­ reeve. Councillors are Ralph El­ liott, George Lampman and Wil­ lard Govenloclc. Daniel Beuermann was ac­ claimed reeve in McKillOp. Coun­ cil members are Jerry Doerr, Wilson Little, Earl Mills and Al­ bert Slembn. Stanley Elections All members of Stanley Town­ ship council were acclaimed for 1954 at the nomination meeting in Varna Monday. Alvin McBride will serve his second term as reeve. Elected to council were Harvey Taylor, Harvey Coleman, ’ Carl Houston and Alvin Rah. Serving - two-year terms as school trustees will be Archie J. John reeve. Parsons, Victor Taylor and A. MUatard. Two Big Parties Usher New Year Two large parties are being; organized in Exeter to usher in the New Year. The local branch Of the Can­ adian Legion celebration in ni£ht. Johnny orchestra, will At MbnOttft _______, _____ Carter’s orchestra will hold forth, ate sponsoring a the tiall Thursday WatmOh, and his play for dancing. Menard’s, Austin Dow, _____, John Madge and Phyllis, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Colquhoun, Janet and Douglas, Mrs. Julia McNicol, of Science Hill; Marion and Keith Madge, London; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Kestle, Mrs. William Hod- gert, town; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hodgert and Marjorie visited Mr. and Mrs. Archie Hodgert during the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hawk­ ins and Leonard, of Anderson, with Mr. and Mrs, Maurice Quance. Sixty-Five Years Wed Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bailey, of Kirkton, who celebrated their 65th wed­ ding anniversary on December 23. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have made their home with their daughter, Mrs, Alf. Collier for the past year. Miss Margaret Mahoney, of Glencoe, is holidaying with Miss Beverley Whllsmith. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Marshall, of Lethbridge, Alta., visited for a week with Mrs. Marshall at the home of Mrs. Frank Coates. They are Spending New Years with Mr. and Mrs. C. Barnes in Montreal. Mr. and Mrs. W Of Clinton, and J. Plumsteel, Miss Eleanor Rlumsteel, of Lucknow, with Rev. H. J. and Mrs, ShelL Mrs, Margaret Donn, of Thomas, with Mr. and Mrs, Snelgrove. Mr. and Mrs. Courtland Kerr and family, of Goderich, with Mr. and Mrs, AljoO Sanders. Mr, George Rogers, Kingston, With Mr. and Mrs. IL R. Sher- Wood, Miss Joanne Shaw with her pa­ rents, -Mri and Mrs. C. E. Shaw. St. A. Mrs. George Hui’st, of Toron­ to; Mr, H. M. Jones and Miss Ila, of Toronto, with Mr. and Mrs. Ernest H. Jones. Mr. • and Mrs. Fred Bell, of Utica, Mich., with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cole. . Mr .and Mrs. George Sproule, of Detroit, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Halterman, of Buffalo, with Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sproule. Mr. Clifton Mitchell, London, is visiting his father, Mr. Albert Mitchell. They spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. at Thorndale. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Taylor, Miss Isabelle and and Mrs. Bill Mickle, of Hensall, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Robert­ son and Ann, of Galt, spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Walper, Grand Bend. Mrs. William Ness, of Barrie, with her son W, A. Ness. She is remaining until after New Years: Mrs. Gertrude Hill, of Toronto, with her sister, Mrs. M. Mode. Dr. and Mrs. Fred Uifieman, of New Haven, Conn,, with Mr. and Mrs. Warren May. Miss Lonora. AldGrsoii* of Paris with Mr. and Mrs. Roy Alderson. Mr. Grant Collingwood, of To­ ronto, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Collingwood. Mr. and Mrs. Harry West, of Sarnia, Mr. Sydney West, of Ot­ tawa, and Mr. and Mrs. BrUce Tuckey with Mrs, S. West, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Moore and three children, of Toronto, with their parents. Mr, and Mrs. Harry Stanlake and Robby, of Platteville, with Mr. and Mrs, Miss Isobel High School the holidays Mi’, and Mrs. Toronto. Mr, and Mrs, Hdr'Old Wood and .family, of Lambeth. Miss Olive Wood, of Toronto, and Mt. and Mrs. William Murdoch, of Hamilton, with Mf. and Mrs. William Wood. Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Lawrence, of Peterboro, with Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Pollen. Miss Joan Hopper, of Toronto University and Miss Pat Hopper, of Western University, are spends ing the holiday with their pa­ rents, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Hopper. Mr. Bill Batten, of Ryerson Technical School, Toronto, is spending the holidays at home. Mr. and Mrs. William Craw­ ford, Patricia and Marlene, of Belmont; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Beattie, Judy Ann and Jimmy, of ... __ . A jLucan,with Mr. and Mrs. Penhale. Mr.and Mrs. J.R. Susan and Janice,Mrs. Attends Parliament Jim Sturgis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sturgis, is attend­ ing Older Boys’ Parliament in session this week at Huron Col­ lege, London. He is representing his constituency through the Sunday School of James St. Unit­ ed Church. William Hobbs Alice and Mr. Silas Stanlake, K. Gahton, of the staff, is spending with her patents, BL B. Gantoh, of Win Christmas Prizes Mrs. Jack Smith, Exeter, won the Tip Top made-to-measure suit in McKnight and Walper’s Ladies’ Wear Christmas draw. “Baby Sue” the Sorority doll, was won by Mi’s. Melvin Gaiser, Shipka. Winners of the toy prizes in the Christmas draw at Linden­ field’s Ltd. were A. O. Elliot and A. Janke, both of Exeter. William Johnson, of town, drew the tickets. e Miss Mary Campbell, Exeter, won $15’ worth of merchandise given awafy by McCreery Ladies’ Wear in<A Christmas draw. I Lon- MisS With Mt. William Penhale, of dbn, Mr. John Kerf and Helen Penhale, of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. Miss Joan Donald Hall, parehts, Mr. Ellerington. Mt .and Mrs. Richard Doherty, Mt. Clemens, Mich., with Mr. and Mrs. Whitney Coates and family. Mt. and Mrs. Ross Finch and family, Saginaw, Mich., and Mr. and Mrs. Les Sim and family, of London, with Mr, and Mrs. Clift Watson. Mr Penny, of Hamilton, T. M. Dinhey.Mr. and Mrs. Rdn StOphan, of London, WitH Mr >ahd Mrs. E, Westcott. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Sims And family, of Windsor, with rela­ tives Kestle, . May Pomeroy, London, and Mr. and Mrs. Orby Kestle, Detroit, with Mr, and Mrs. Rufus Kestle, for Boxing Day. Mr. and Mrs. David Anderson of Kingson, and Ivan Duvar, Windsor, with Mrs. Ed. Hunter-Duvar. Mrs. Anderson attended iner-Faforner wedding in on Saturday. Peter Venton, of London, is visiting his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Chittick, Gordon, Clare and Joan, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Squire and Douglas, all of Granton, and Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Lamond, of London, with Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Squire. Mr, and Mrs, Howard Ford and sons, Perry and Terry, Bramp­ ton, and Mrs. Ford’s father, Mr. E. E. MyOrs, of High Rivet, with Hunter- Mr. and Mr. and the Pal- Crediton Mrs, Amelia Briefly Alta. L. J. Penhale. Elleringtoii, of Mc- Guelph, with het and Mrs. Williani and Mrs. James Low and with Mrs. Fall Into Boards Fractures Arm Peter McEalls, nine-year-old son of Mr ' Falls, tured Arena He Huron Hospital and later to Lou­ don hospital where the bone was reset. The lad fell into the boards just before the start of a Wee Wee hockey gaine, Observers said he appeared to trip ns he skated toward one end. There was ho one near him. Dr. M» C. Fletcher, Exeter, attended, and Mrs. Percy Mc- Exeter, suffered a frac­ right forearm at Exeter Tuesday night. was taken first to South Caven Minister Speaks Farewell Rev. Donald Sinclair preached his farewell sermon to the con­ gregation of Caven Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, ter­ minating a pastorate of nearly five years. At the Christmas party at Caven Presbyterian Church, De­ cember 22, the Rev. and Mrs, Donald Sinclair were honored by the congregation prior to their departure for their new Charge at Dundalk. Mr. Thomas Pryde and Mr. W. G. Cochrane expressed the ap­ preciation of the members of the church for the splendid leader­ ship of Rev. and Mrs. Sinclair during the past five years. Mr, Sinclair was presented with an electric desk clock by Mrs. Jim Taylor on behalf of the Sunday School. From the con­ gregation, he received a purse of money presented by Mr Fred Simmons and since the occasion was also his birthday, clair received a box from Elaine Hogarth, Mrs. Sinclair wag presented with a bouquet of roses by Judy Cutting. She also received two lovely cups and Saucers presented by Gwen Simpson on behalf of the C.G.LT. and by Mrs. D> Mil­ lar and Mrs. L. Kirk representing Caven Circle. Mr. Sin- of candy Miss Norma Wilson is enjoy­ ing a vacation in Hollywood, Cai. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Wilson ac­ companied her to Detroit from where she made the trip by pian& The body will be at the Bon- thron funeral home after’ Wednes­ day noon. Service will be con­ ducted at Hensall United Church, Thursday at 2:30 p.m., by the Rev. W. J. Rogers. Bui'ial win be in Exeter Cemetery. Driver Is Charged As Four Injured Police have charged John Jo­ seph Poll, 37, of London, with dangerous driving in a day-before- Christmas accident which sent a father and three sons to hospital. The father, Cpl. Ralph Boone, 29, of RCAF Station Centralia, is in Westminster Hospital, London, suffering from severe head in­ juries, His condition is "im­ proved”. Further X-rays are be­ ing taken on Thursday. One of his sons, Robert, six, is “seriously ill” in War Memorial Children’s Hospital, London, where he underwent an emer­ gency operation Christmas Day. He suffered a ruptured liver and skull fracture. Two other sons, Kenneth, nine, and Wayne, three, are in South Huron Hospital with lacerations to the face. Their condition is “good’ and they were able to sit up and enjoy Christmas dinner. Kenneth was discharged from hospital on Wednesday. Poll was hospitalized ■ for a short time with minor cuts and bruises. Following his discharge from hospital, Boone was placed under arrest and confined to jail. He was later released on bail. The accident, a head-on colli­ sion, occurred one mile south of Exeter-about 5:30 p.m. December 24. Police said Poll, who was tra­ velling north, proceeded to pass another vehicle and crashed head- on into the south-bound Boone car. Both vehicles were wrecked. Provincial Constable Elmer Zimmerman investigated. Dr. F. J. Butson rendered first aid and the Hopper - Hockey ambulance rushed the victims to hospital. Parents Save Family, Home Happy and thankful that they were able to avert the tragedy of loss of life or complete de­ struction of their house, Mr. and Mrs, Bill Coward, R.R. 1, Wood­ ham, are repairing their farm home from the damage it suffer­ ed by fire Boxing Day. Now staying temporarily with Mr. 'Coward’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Coward, the family hopes to foe back in their own home before long. Quick thinking and action by the parents probably saved their four children from death and prevented total ruin of their, 'house by the Boxing Day blaze. Mr. Coward evacuated the four children from the upstairs of the smouldering building by dropping them out a window to his wife on the ground below. The father’s presence of mind in choking off the fire in one room is credited with keeping the damage to a minimum. He closed the door to the burning room and blocked off a ‘broken window to prevent air from ning the flames. His presence of mind to this safety precaution in the of tragedy is credited with ing the house .from destruction. Exeter Fire Chief Bill Chambers praised his action. Asleep in a downstairs bed­ room with his wife, Mr. Coward was awakened by smoke. Open­ ing the door to the adjoining dining room, he found a wall of flame. After sending his wife outside and phoning for help, he raced through the flames, closing the doors behind him, to the stairs. Mrs. Coward, who kicked out the lower part of a window at the front of the house to get out, ran to a spot underneath the window of the children’s bed­ room. Dowers ChildrcJn * The fathet dropped the child-4 ren into his wife’s arms or lower­ ed them so they could scramble down vines at the side of the house. He followed them out the window. Later, Mr. Coward stuffed a mattress against the broken win- ' dow downstairs to keep out the I wind. I Water from a nearby cistern was thrown on the building by a i bucket brigade of neighbors,I They assisted the Exetef Fire De­ partment in putting out blaze. Fire started stove inThe children are Danny, bine;'! Ronald, seven; Douglas, five, and; Jtidy, four. An Older daughter, Margaret Ann, was visiting' hey mother's patents, Mr. and MrSri Gordon Appleton, Sr; ' None of the children suffered from their experience, Mr. Cow*; atd received slight singe burns to his face and hands and hla wife had a cut on her leg froth the broken elass. ] was believed to in an overheated the dining room. fan- take face sav- the