A Political Brawl, a Lightning Strike in Bradford, and the Town That Refused to Burn
Joshua Smith
July 17, 2025
In the third week of July, the heat of summer has long brought out fiery debates, sudden storms, and the kind of resilience that defines northern New England. This week, we dive into a bitter political fight that made national news, a church struck by lightning, and a town that pulled together to stop a fire from taking its main street.
July 16, 1870 – Lightning Strike Destroys Bradford’s Baptist Church Steeple
On the afternoon of July 16, 1870, a fast-moving thunderstorm passed over Bradford, Vermont, and a lightning bolt struck the steeple of the First Baptist Church, setting it ablaze. The Bradford Opinion reported that flames spread rapidly through the tower but were contained before reaching the sanctuary.
Residents formed a bucket brigade while volunteers rang the church bell until the ropes burned. The steeple collapsed within 20 minutes. Despite the drama, no one was injured, and the bell was later recovered intact from the rubble.
The steeple was rebuilt by 1871 with lightning rods — a first for Bradford’s churches at the time.
July 18, 1854 – A Political Brawl in Haverhill, NH Makes National News
During a heated Whig vs. Democrat town meeting on July 18, 1854, in Haverhill, NH, a scuffle broke out between supporters of rival congressional candidates. According to the New Hampshire Patriot, the incident began when one speaker accused the other side of “harboring disunionists,” leading to a shouting match, overturned chairs, and a brief fistfight.
The brawl escalated until town constables separated the men. The event was reported as far away as The New York Herald, which called it “an example of Granite State passion.”
While no arrests were made, the incident led to a town ordinance banning political speeches from being held in the church meetinghouse unless approved by selectmen.
July 20, 1908 – Fire Threatens Main Street in St. Johnsbury, But Town Saves Itself
At 4:10 a.m. on July 20, 1908, fire broke out behind a wooden tenement on Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury, sparked by faulty wiring in a stable. According to the St. Johnsbury Caledonian, winds pushed the flames toward Main Street, threatening shops and hotels.
Fire crews and volunteers worked for hours, creating firebreaks by tearing down a shed by hand. The fire was contained before it reached the busy business district, but 14 families were displaced, and damage totaled over $20,000.
The town’s fast response and newly installed fire alarm system were credited with preventing what could have been one of the worst fires in St. Johnsbury’s history.
July 19, 1935 – Newbury Hosts One of Vermont’s Largest Cattle Fairs
On July 19, 1935, the Newbury Cattle Fair drew more than 3,000 attendees to the fairgrounds. The event, organized by the Newbury Grange and Caledonia County Farm Bureau, featured livestock exhibitions, feed equipment demonstrations, and a cattle-judging contest that included entries from as far as Windsor County.
The Barre Daily Times praised the event’s organization and the presence of Governor Charles Smith, who gave a speech about agricultural reform and rural electrification.
The fair helped solidify Newbury’s reputation as a regional agricultural hub during the interwar period.
July 15, 1810 – Founding of the Orange County Grammar School in Randolph, VT
On July 15, 1810, Orange County Grammar School was formally established in Randolph, part of Vermont’s early public education movement. The school attracted students from across the county, preparing young men for Dartmouth and Middlebury Colleges.
Early subjects included Latin, algebra, surveying, and theology. Its most famous graduate, Justin Smith Morrill — later a U.S. Senator and architect of the Land Grant College Act — attended classes there in the 1820s.
Voices of the Past
“The steeple burned like a torch, and the bell cried out till it fell.”
— Bradford Opinion, July 23, 1870
“No more speeches in the church unless it’s the Good Lord doing the talking.”
— Haverhill town record, 1854
“The flames would have taken the whole block if not for the men with axes.”
— St. Johnsbury Caledonian, July 21, 1908
Sources
Vermont Historical Society: https://vermonthistory.org/
New Hampshire Historical Society: https://www.nhhistory.org/
Chronicling America (Historic Newspapers): https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum: https://www.stjathenaeum.org/
Barre Daily Times Archive: Search through Vermont Digital Newspaper Project
https://vermontdigitalnewspaperproject.wordpress.com/
Wrap-Up:
Have you heard a family story about a storm, a political showdown, or a fire brigade that saved the day? We’d love to hear it. Email me at joshua@thebridgeweekly.com and your tale might find its way into a future edition of This Week in Local History — where the past is never just in the past.
July 16, 1870 – Lightning Strike Destroys Bradford’s Baptist Church Steeple
On the afternoon of July 16, 1870, a fast-moving thunderstorm passed over Bradford, Vermont, and a lightning bolt struck the steeple of the First Baptist Church, setting it ablaze. The Bradford Opinion reported that flames spread rapidly through the tower but were contained before reaching the sanctuary.
Residents formed a bucket brigade while volunteers rang the church bell until the ropes burned. The steeple collapsed within 20 minutes. Despite the drama, no one was injured, and the bell was later recovered intact from the rubble.
The steeple was rebuilt by 1871 with lightning rods — a first for Bradford’s churches at the time.
July 18, 1854 – A Political Brawl in Haverhill, NH Makes National News
During a heated Whig vs. Democrat town meeting on July 18, 1854, in Haverhill, NH, a scuffle broke out between supporters of rival congressional candidates. According to the New Hampshire Patriot, the incident began when one speaker accused the other side of “harboring disunionists,” leading to a shouting match, overturned chairs, and a brief fistfight.
The brawl escalated until town constables separated the men. The event was reported as far away as The New York Herald, which called it “an example of Granite State passion.”
While no arrests were made, the incident led to a town ordinance banning political speeches from being held in the church meetinghouse unless approved by selectmen.
July 20, 1908 – Fire Threatens Main Street in St. Johnsbury, But Town Saves Itself
At 4:10 a.m. on July 20, 1908, fire broke out behind a wooden tenement on Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury, sparked by faulty wiring in a stable. According to the St. Johnsbury Caledonian, winds pushed the flames toward Main Street, threatening shops and hotels.
Fire crews and volunteers worked for hours, creating firebreaks by tearing down a shed by hand. The fire was contained before it reached the busy business district, but 14 families were displaced, and damage totaled over $20,000.
The town’s fast response and newly installed fire alarm system were credited with preventing what could have been one of the worst fires in St. Johnsbury’s history.
July 19, 1935 – Newbury Hosts One of Vermont’s Largest Cattle Fairs
On July 19, 1935, the Newbury Cattle Fair drew more than 3,000 attendees to the fairgrounds. The event, organized by the Newbury Grange and Caledonia County Farm Bureau, featured livestock exhibitions, feed equipment demonstrations, and a cattle-judging contest that included entries from as far as Windsor County.
The Barre Daily Times praised the event’s organization and the presence of Governor Charles Smith, who gave a speech about agricultural reform and rural electrification.
The fair helped solidify Newbury’s reputation as a regional agricultural hub during the interwar period.
July 15, 1810 – Founding of the Orange County Grammar School in Randolph, VT
On July 15, 1810, Orange County Grammar School was formally established in Randolph, part of Vermont’s early public education movement. The school attracted students from across the county, preparing young men for Dartmouth and Middlebury Colleges.
Early subjects included Latin, algebra, surveying, and theology. Its most famous graduate, Justin Smith Morrill — later a U.S. Senator and architect of the Land Grant College Act — attended classes there in the 1820s.
Voices of the Past
“The steeple burned like a torch, and the bell cried out till it fell.”
— Bradford Opinion, July 23, 1870
“No more speeches in the church unless it’s the Good Lord doing the talking.”
— Haverhill town record, 1854
“The flames would have taken the whole block if not for the men with axes.”
— St. Johnsbury Caledonian, July 21, 1908
Sources
Vermont Historical Society: https://vermonthistory.org/
New Hampshire Historical Society: https://www.nhhistory.org/
Chronicling America (Historic Newspapers): https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum: https://www.stjathenaeum.org/
Barre Daily Times Archive: Search through Vermont Digital Newspaper Project
https://vermontdigitalnewspaperproject.wordpress.com/
Wrap-Up:
Have you heard a family story about a storm, a political showdown, or a fire brigade that saved the day? We’d love to hear it. Email me at joshua@thebridgeweekly.com and your tale might find its way into a future edition of This Week in Local History — where the past is never just in the past.
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