The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-06-11
FIRE IN THE WOODS,

Inc Canadian papers are full of accounts
OF the recent fires in the woods on the Otta-
wa, IN the vicinity Of Bytown. The extent
OF the calamity Is As Vet impertcctIv known,
hut 1t Is supposed that a space of at least
1900 square miles was burnt over. and that
from four to five hundred families are render
ed homeless 1t is feared that a number Of
lives have been lost.
The Bvtown Gazette states that III. fir.
Land waste a considerable portion Of the
Townships OF We>tmcath. Ross. Bagot. Penn
broke, the rear OF the Townships of Broom
ley and Horton, in Upper Canada. portions
OF the Islands OF Ca!mut and Les Allumcttes.
lying between Upper and Lower Canada.and
of the townships of Shcan and Westmcath
IN Lower Canada. The fire originated on
Monday, 18th Nav, about 10 o'clock, 4. VI.
and was caused by fires. which were kindled
IN different places tor the purpose of clear
ing land As very high wind was blowing
at the time, the flames were carried alonr
rapidly and irres>thlv in their fearful course
and burned ferccly till evening.
The scene, as described bv evc-witncsses.
was of the most terrific and appalling nature.
Hundreds of families, embracing persons of
all ages and sexes, literally pursued by the
flames, had to flee in all directions. with moth
ING saved except the clothes in actual use.
which, IN many instances were srorched and
partly consumed on the backs of the tuultivcs.
l he devastation extends about s,renfg mites
m i"ngfh By .torty miles in Mea,Ih, over a
ilourlShln" country, nearly one half of which
has been completely laid waste. We have
a> vet heard Of only one fatal casualtv-an
aged man named Thra>hcr. who perished in
VAN attempt to save some of his property.
The scene OF the calamity being in the yicin-
Ity and on both sides Of the Ottawa, many in
dlvlduals took refuge in the river to protect
themselves from the immense heat. 4 small
steamer. belonging to Mr. Could, that plies
on the Aluskrat river, assisted some of the
inhabitants in making their escape Even
they were near Y compelled to abandon her.
owing to the excessive heat of the woods
burning on both sides of the river
Upwards of five hundred families. accord
ing to our informant, have been reduced from
toIerah!c competence TO a nearly destitute
condition, in many instances without food for
present necessities. clothes to cover. or hou-
ses to shelter themselves and what is. if
possible, even worse. without the means of
pursuing the necessary agricultural operations
OF the season. y large proportion OF the sut:-
irrers are persons who. few years ago set
tied IN that quarter after emf grating from
Europe, and who were by steady. per>eyer-
ing industry. progressing towards indepen-
dence. In the "Garden of Eden" name
conferred upon it for its wonderful fertility
out of forty houses only two are left standing,
and in the DeS Allumettes Island.o of nine
ty-seven dwellings, the fire has spared only
four. The provisions that were by the I'M
fortunate sufferers provided for their support
till the fall and winter seasons. are totally
destroyed: and the very seed intended for
sowing the spring crop and the farming u
tcnslls necessary 10Y filling the land, have all
teen C1nsiIlietl.
e. Mrs Lucy Stone Of worldwide renown
as tortune-tcIer, died very Suddenly on the
3oth INST, at Glover.
81 1t is rumored again that Marcy Is TO
!snv. the Cabine.