The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-07

AMs~Ae -
A Thrilling Narrative.
Mr.. Hunter, one Of the sufferers by the
forest fires III WISCONSIN and Michigan. f,1r-
nishes the following interesting narrative b
He resided ut Pesntigo, with his wife and
little child, seven years old. Their house
WAS about three miles from the toria, just at
the edge Of strip Of forest. There had been
fires III the woods and prairies fox week
previously, and night after night they had
sat at the windows gazing upon the gorgeous
panorama Of fame, smoke and sparkling
cinders as it moved along the horizon. Very
little If any fear was entertained, as the
course Of the fire seemed away from the
town. On Sunday night they attended
shnrch IN the village. They and MARITIME,
the hired man, retired TO rest early, wholly
unsuspecting the fearful peril that was soon
to oyerwhelm them. Al about midnight
they were aroused BY the roar and the crack
ling Of the flames. At first they were al
most petriIied with amazement and fear.
The blazing woods seemed marching upon
them. "A brisk breeze was stirring, but the
strong currents Of hot air ragged to and fro,
with a horrid howling sound. Quickly
dressing. they rushed to the yard. The sky
was thick with smoke, and showers of sparks
were hurled hither and thither, assailing
their faces, eyes and clothing. From the
barn came piteons wall or neighs, below
ing and screams from the terrified cattle,
horses and other animals. After great diff
Guilty they were released and compelled to
60 out. The cattle at once stampeded from
the fire, but the horses trembled and seemed
paralyzed, their nostrils expanding, their
eyes dilating and glaring, and their mouths
frothing. With great difficulty and haste
they were harnessed and attached to a long
lumber-box wagon. into which 4 few articles
were thrown, and the party mounted and
drove off. 5s4 5ss53
An eighth OF mile had been traversed at
a rapid rate when sudden gust of wind
drove mass Of red hot cinders upon them,
filling she air with 8 sitting smoke. Where
the sparks fell they burned to the flesh.
The little girl screamed with fear: .sOh /
Mamma, lam burning up!'' She cried and
the others groaned. shook off the fire, and
covered themselves with blankets. The air
for q moment was black, and breathing was
almost impossible. The horses staggered
backed and reared with furious screams, and
then, with q plunge that unscated those In the
wagon, nadly rushed over the road at almost
lightning speed. All control of them was
lost, and the party clung TO the sides of the
vehicle to keep IN. On they flew, the wheels
striking fire against the stones, and the wag-
on swaying to and fro from one side of the
road to the other. Then for time the wind
changed, and the clouds of cinders were ear
ried IN another direction. They could see
that all the northern part OF the village was
on fire, and flames seemed moving with the
velocity of the clouds. All the buildings
were Of wood, much Of it being pitch pine,
and as there had been no rain for long
times a.ad the sun had baked everything dry.
the fire ran along them as though they had
been train Of gnnpowder. The blaze came
like q mountain wave with a hilm-m-m, and
roar-r! aud hiss-ss-ss! aud horrible sounds
OF crashing timbers and chimneys. The vii
layers rushed through the streets to the river,
into which they plunged. The horses had
reached the head of the principal street when
the sea Of flame had begun to surge through
1t. To pass here Was certain destruction,
and If the maddened ANIMALS could not be
turned down the cross-road, death was at
hand for all. With great effort the reins
were drawn and the feat accomplished, and
on dashed the clumsy team, bounding and
rafting over The road. s.,
Aturn of three miles must be made to
reach the river. Half mile is passed and a
shallow creek reached, into which the horses
plnngein spite Of all efforts. The three
quickly saturate their clothing and dash
water over the horses, which whine, paw
and neigh as though they appreciated the Sit
nation. Again q start is made, and the party;
go along at high speed. Before the two
miles is. reached the Gre has surrounded them.
One part alone is untouched. JIt IL lane
running down to the river. Into tlis they
turn. Closer and closer came the fire
Sparks are. scattered oyer them, burning
where they touch the hesh. The horses arc
wild with pain and fright and bending down
their necks tear along with frantic speed. A
gateis reached, but without pansing they
dash through il, scattering the fragments
like so many straWs. Down the hill they
gallop. the river Is reached; they leap and
plunge, and horses, wagon and people are in
the chilly waters, midst lumber, logs, ashes.
charred boards and every kind of rubbish.
There were also animals of all kinds, in-
termingled and struggled for life. Here
was the elimination Of horrors. The team
becoming exhausted with their efforts, finally
sunk and were carried away BY an under
current The other animals held ON like hn-
man beings with their feet to- the floating
logs and tinlbers, all the while uttering the |
most pitiful means. There weFc number
Of persons here, although most OF the refta-
gees were ialrther up the stream. AS Mrs.
Hunter said ss
We stood In the water up TO our necks,
onr little girl Minnie being held up between
ss. When We first went In tile feeling was