Eleven Head Of Prize Cattle Destroyed As Flames Sweep Barn

Fire officials today were seeking to determine the origin of the $13,500 fire which destroyed 11 head of prize cattle and swept a barn at Endean Farm, Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out at 1:30 and was fanned by a strong wind which gutted a cow barn and adjoining fodder shed. The tin roof made the fire difficult to get at and the all-out wasn’t sounded until 6:30.

The fire was discovered bv Ahti Aho who was passing by the farm in an automobile with his mother. At that time, the fire was well underway and Aho immediately called the fire department from the farmhouse.

Three Holsteins and three Guernseys ready to calf, and five calves under six months old were destroyed. Miles Taylor of Islington, farm foreman, estimated the value of the cows at $500 each and the calves at $100 apiece.

Veterinarian Dr. Ronald Bruce of Dedham and Dr. Charles McGuire of Walpole, treated burns of the four calves led out of the blazing 1 1/2 story building by Taylor and other farm employees.

Peter Makin, who helped fight the fire was cut by glass and had to have stitches taken in his hand.