The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-14
From the Albany Express of August 81
A Picnic Party Surrounded by Fire In
the Woods.

Last week, on Friday, gay and thought
less party of males and females, some thirty in
number, provided themselves with pals and
baskets of all capacities, cigaEs ginger pop,
and luncheon, and jumping into Railroad car,
rode to station on the Albany and Boston
Railroad that was in the immediate vicinity of
one of the tallest of the Berkshire range of
mountains. The hill was said to be covered
with countless bushels of blackberries, all dead
ripe, and all of the high bush variety, which
are the largest and the sweetest.
They left the station in high spirits, and in
a few minutes were buried in wilderness of
that fine and beautiful fruit that they went out
to seek.
An hour of persevcring picking resulted in
filling every vessel they had carried with them,
and as they gathered at the spot appointed for
lunchng-a secluded nook in place covered
with verdure, watered by little brook fpure
cold water, and surrounded on all sides but one
by bectling cliffs-they found themselves IA
tigued, wofully lacerated by the prickers and
thorns, their dresses torn badly, and hands and
face deeply dyed with blackberry juice, but
with keen appetitcs and pals and baskets all
heapcd up and running over with the fine, ripe
fruit.
Down they sat and dcvouled their ample
lunch lighted their cigars, drank their pop.
and INDUCED two or three hours in dances and
other pastimes.
1t was known to them when they first start
ed for tho mountain that portion of it was on
fire, but of the confagration they thought no
thing being entirely absorbed in Their picking
and amusements. But the smoke grew dense,
the air became hot and sitting, the winds were
up, and the fall of an immense burning cindcr
into their very midst, reused the thoughtlcss
party to a realizing idea of what was in pro-
gress above and around them. Looking up,
Judge of their CONSERVATION when they saw
themselves almost bcgirt by tremendous con-
aagratio", which had spread with nearly the
speed of the wind that famed the flames and
urged forward the destruction The only way
of escape was through the narrow gorge down
which the little brook plunged, and the flames
were rapidly approaching both sides of even
that chance for exit!
Not moment was to be lost! All rushed
instinctivcly for the narrow opening before
them, leaving behind them more than half of
the berries they had picked But they found
| the little brook could run where they could not,
and that precipices, underbrush, no path and
the sitting smoke that blew hot in their faces,
and blinded their eyes, rendered their progress
slow. And it aras slow. The ladies had to be
helped at almost every step. Overhead, and
nearly all around, was a sheet OF fire. Before
them was yet just narrow way OF escape, and
that might at any moment be crossed, and then
they would be completely surrounded by belt
of fire!
Eagerly they pressed forward the stoutest
leading the way, and encouraging each other
as well as they could.
10 -, IL nj 1nrlor Tho h0af
was dreadful Sparks and cinders fell like hail
around them. Their clothing was repeatedly
on fire. The noise and crackle of the flames
was almost deafening, and occasionally the fall
of q burning tree crashed upon their ears and
added to their fright.
! At last. when some were growing too weak
to 90 further, two had tainted and had to be
carried, and their condition was momentarlly
Incoming more and more desperate and hope
less. suddenly the wind wheeled around and
blew fierce blast up the narrow ravine the
marty were travelling! All were instantly in
vioorated, relieved of the smoke in front, and
heartily encouraged. With shout they again
prcssed forward, and in about fifteen minutes
succeeded in gaining point beyond immedi-
ate danger, and in an hour more were on their
way home.
Their escape was narrow one indeed! Not
half an hour had elapsed after their escape ere
the trees and brush of the ravine were in a
blaze, and their trysting place was lost in a
deluge of fire.
One of the rescued party told us the story
of his adventure with the rest, and fairly shud.
dered when he came to what he termed the
slightest spot and where there was a smart
chance for barbecue of Beckett fOlks.'