The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-25
OHIO WOODS ON FIRE.
Villages Threatened with Destruc-
tion--Nine Miles OF Timber Land
Trayersed by the Fiery Element.

VILLAGES Threatened Whn DestFuc-
tion--Nine Miles OF Timber Land
Trayersed by the Fiery Element.
LIMA, O., October %.
Extensive fires in the woods and wood
piles along the line Of the Dayton and
Michigan railroad, about 40 miles north
of here, have been prevailing for several
days past, OBTAINING the trains on that
road somewhat. The villages Of Leipsic
and Alma were threatened with destruc-
ton, but escaped by the diligent efforts
of the citizens and railroad employees.
From the Ohio State Journal, of Monday. ]
Over two weeks ago some men, while
hunting for coons in the woods Of West
Jefferson, inadvertently built fire for
some purpose, which, on account Of the
drouth and combustible nature of the
adjacent leaves and underbrush, spread
very rapidly and soon became unman-
ageable. 1t continued spreading until
acres and acres OF timber country in
that section became enwrapped in
flames, consuming in their course
everything in the shape Of fences, cord
wood, :underbrush, dry dead timber,
both fallen and standing, and scorching
many of the larger living trees to such
an extent as to entirely destroy them.
The fire advanced in a westerly direc-
ton, and extended over strip Of coun-
try in places two miles in width.
In the neighborbood of West Jeffer-
son over six hundred cords Of wood were
destroyed, and the loss from the de-
struction Of fences and timber is almost
incalculable. Continuing in its west
erly course the fire rapidly advanced,
burning the vast scope of country which
it had traversed of every vestige OF
fallen timber underbrush and leaves,
and reducing to ashes the fences it en-
countered in its course. Nothing it left
but scorched and blasted trees and all
that extensive timber country presents
truly desolate appearance. On Sun
day the fire was raging within three
miles Of little place called Rome and
nine miles a little south OF west OF
Columbus, having traversed a scope of
country nine miles in length and in
some places, as before stated, two miles
in width. 1t had reached the large
tract Of land, containing three hundred
and twenty acres, belonging to Hon.
Samuel Galloway, of this city. One
hundred and fifty acres Of this tract had
already been passed over by the fiery
element, which was still pursuing It's
onward course. Fortunately the corn
fields along this strip Of burning coun-
try escaped the visitation OF fire, but the
grass OF an extensive prairie tract was
entirely consumed. OF course there is
no possibility of checking the fire,
which will continue to rage until it is
checked by shower of rain. The only
thing the people can do is to prevent as
far as possible the destruction Of their
! fences.
On Sunday morning a fire broke out
in the woods three miles south Of Cleve.
land, causing intense excitement among
the farmers. Everybody capable OF
lending assistance turned out, but, owing
to the tinder.lille dryness of everything,
it was several hours before the flames
were subdued. The fire originated from
burning wads fired from the guns of
three Cleveland sportsmen, who, regard
less of the sacred day. were shooting in
discriminatory through the woods.