The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-10-07
Desolation Of the Fire in Canada

A party Of gentlemen travelling In Cam
ada Mt tho tilno tho fro was raging
over the vast district, and who barely es-
caped with their lives, furnish the follow.
ing account Of scenes which they wit
messed: ~ ..,..s .-., ID rst
Alter having made long journey In
carriages, viewing certain land In which
wo were interested, we drew near To
what seemed largo village on fire. We
did not dream OF the near approach Of
danger. although tho blazc was rofccted
In the armament, and lighted up our road
with an indcscribably beautiful radiance.
It made tho sand and pebbles In the road
look like precious stones. The dark
edges of the woods also seemed surround
ed by hugh flickering shadows. As the
night advanced the glow and glare grew
brighter. until ut last Its intensity warned
ms that an extensive condagration was In
progress. We continued ON toward 1t,
however unconscious Of the great dan
ger into which we were going. '
= At length. nffcr an omnious silence, Mr..
Dudley said, "Great God! l believe the
world Is ON fire!" Just then q great flash
lit up the road behind us. We looked
back, and were surprised Mt the sight. A
low moor between tho forests, perhaps
ten miles in width. covered with dry grass,
was In blaze, and the fire flying swifter
than n locomotive. At the same time tho
wind changed. and tho MIR which had been
growing hot, became almost unbcarablc.
A wind gust brought clouds Of cindcrs
that dropped about us. Tho horses trem-
tled and neighed with fright, and rs the
hot cindors touched them they became
almost ungovernable. The earth seemed
70 be n vast fiery furnace, and tho heat
camo pulling past our faces. Ike the glow
from n forge. Our eyes ached and smart.
ed with tho smoke and askes. Several
times our clothing caught frc from tho
falling Goals. Now VIC were hemn:ed In
on three sides by the fire iiend. and The
only avenue of escape was the road along
side the course of creek. whero tho
flames had not yet reached. Down this
road our horses plunged ut fspid rate.
The poor animals screamed with terror rs
tho cinders showered about them. and the
velocity of our progress was 30 terrific
that we had TO hold on with all our
might, ms the wagon went whirling and
and crashing over the stones. 49,. i
At last we came to bridge, and refined
down to the stream, hoping TO gather
some relief by plunging into tho water.
for our flesh seemed roasting. We DASH
cd In, the tho horses neighing and paving
up to their backs In the deepest part. II
seemed only moment before MI tho
country was suddenly shceted In flame
our road was cut of. and but q narrow
stretch of niarsh.land was free from tho
flames We abandoDded tho horsos u
their fate, and dashed over tho swamp.
Now wo would be In miro nearly up tol
oir kncos-Mr. Spencer sank nearly toI
his neck-and came out NIL covered with
slime. At length. however. we came 70
dry ground where the fire had spent its
fury. and left blackcncd. charrcd wild.
,icrness OF posts. stuinps and SOL.
At taylicht we came w an opening
where a farmhouse hadstood. Hero was
n sad spectaclo, mt tho sight OF which We
Grcot our own situation. Tho cmbcrs OF
tbc firc wcro vet m,ouldcring. and some
of the blnckencd timbcrs lay ovor tho
foundation unconsumcd.. The barn was
entirely gone, wagon.tircs and homework
scatterod around. Tho well was uncov-
cred and we looked down upon tho body
Of a man clasping young giri. They
hail evidently been sufocaied from tho
foul Gas, while seeking osc,pe fron tho
fire. As we moved away fron tho scenc
toward the house, wo saw tho figure OF
woman with n babo In her arms. Both
bodies were half consumed.
Two miles further on we camo 70 an
other scene of dcsolation. A house lay In
ruins In the midst of charrei and black.
eued waste. A cow-shed bad cscapod, and
In this were the family. AL but one. The
mother commenced 10 tell her tale OF sui.
icring, but broke down with grief The
husband said they bad been surprised 10
The night ,apd hnrrie,lly ESCAPED through
tho blindiRg choking smoke. There
were fve chiliren. the eldest being SIX
tccn, and the youngest three. @ Lnre
times he rushcsi Into the burning house,
!. a a.. =. i,~-n,.yro a child yhe mOtocrt