The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-07-02
FIRE IN THE WOODS.

The township of Moriah, in the State Of
New York, has been scourged by one ofihe
most detrucliye fires we have ever known in
wilderness region. The extent Of territory
burnt is about miles in length and 2 IN
breadth, on which was located quite num-
Der Of sawmills, dwelling houses. barns, and
large quantity of valuable lumber, &c;-
nothing now remains but mass of ruins
The fire spread with such rapidity that the
inhabitants had barely time with their lives.
The loss is estimated at something over
three hundred thousand dollars. cores
pondent oil the Essex County Times gives
the following account oft:
The fire originated in West Moriah ON the
farm Of Col. Barnes. Ii was first seen in
little bit of tuft and water was turned on TO
nut il out. but while Col. Barnes men were
at dinner the wind blew it up and spread 1t
until it was unconquerable, At IL O'Clock,
A. M. June 10th, it was on the road leading
from East 10 West Moriah. Two hours af-
Ter Barnes and Travis mills lay in ashes.
By O'Clock, p. M. it had travelled about s
miles, when it reached the stream on which
were the mills of Judge Storrs, Ensign, and
Spencer. Before O'Clock, P. NJ, four mills,
&C., as above stated, lay a heap of burning
ruins. Such was the rapidly with which the
fire travelled, that the smoke in the distance
was hardly discovered before tire fire was up
on the spot The families who lived at those
saw mills had barely got throsurmising what
and where the fire could be, when they were
obliged TO flee, TO save themselves and little
ones, taking only their cow with snch things
as they could carry on their arms. One
family LETT in such haste that the father lost
even his hat. Fire was frequently discover
ed 10 fly and catch 12 and 3-4th of mile.
Thus, these families who were fastening out
OF the woods, would Often discover fire ahead
of them, when they would hasten on again,
but only 10 pass through fire and smoke.
Ten or twelve men were intensely en-
gagged al what is called'Ensign's upper mill,
and in few moments the fire had passed
them, surrounding them on all sides, so that
they could not leave.-Many had left them
and some ofthe 'ten' would have been glad
toleave, but being hemmed in, they fought
like brave men, long and WE'LL and tho at
times ready 10 sink from fatigue the mill and
! lumber were finally saved. During the hot
test ofthe fire, young Stores and VIM. Fos-
fer left from what is called 'Ensign's- lower
MILL 10 cross the hills 10 the other mills be-
longing to Judge Stores. They passed with
safety, and with three other men, by dint of
hard labor saved the mills, being also provi-
dentially favored by'a change of wind.
The situation OF these two companies of
men was fora time truly critical and. excited
intense interest in the minds of those who
were'out ofharms way.'-lmagine them 1-2
miles from any clearings-ali chance OF es-
cape cut off,-lhe flames flying 10 the height
of 2 or hundred feet above their heads and
enclosed in a small space Of few feet, with
raging fires on all sides ands some faint
glimpse maybe had of their situation.
Thanks 70 the brave One family being too
late 10 leave the woods, moved all their
goods, their COW and pig into scow on the
pond, where they all remained over night in
safety, though not free from fire.
Leaves carried by the smoke and wind
from the fire, fell thick and fast as far of as
Middlebury, VI, distance Off miles.
The following, are among the sufferers:
Barnes & Travis, two double mills, and
dwelling house, one harm, II, 900 pieces lum-
Der and 5000 logs. Value; $4,000.
Hon. N. S. Stores, one saw mill, 5000
pieces lumber, 200 logs, one dwelling house
and one barn. Value; $4,000.
J. B. Spencer, one mill, $4,000 pieces lum-
Der. 500 logs, one dwelling house and one
barn. Value; $4,000.
! John Ensign, two mills, one dwelling
house and one barn. Value; $4,000.
West Moriah-East MiiS.-Col. L.Barns
Two mills, large quantity sof lumber, dwell
ling house. and barn, loss estimated! from TO
$4,000.
Mr.. Sturdevant, saw mill and lumber.
| Tabor G. linus, one saw mill, insured.
1t is estimated that 100000 standing logs
are destroyed. Value; 81 per log-S3OO,-
600.
Total loss as far as known, $4,000.