Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-10-31

The eye of him that charms the ear,
A lamp is lit in wOmans eye
That souls, else lost on earth, remember angels
by.
From the New York Sum-
BRANDS FROM THE BURNING.
THRILLING STORY OF THE NORTH
WEST CALAMITY.
Roused from Slunaber By the Roaring Flames
"A Terrible Ride an the DdrE-Scorched,
Bhstered and Manned 6y the Dn;tled Brands
-Ss0ept off by the Flood.
Yesterday there arrived in this city by the
Erie Railway train number of persons direct
from the scenes of the great forest fires in Wis
party-James w. Hunter, Mrs. Sarah Hunter,
George MARITIME, of Flushing, L. l.: Henry
Porter, Samuel Hillman, Charles Myers, Of
Freehold, N. j., Margaret McGovern, Edward
Wallace and George Bakeslee of this city
All were suffering from having inhaled the
smoke, fumes, and ashes of the fire. Mrs.
Hunters hair (which she says flowed to the
waist) was completely burned off; one side of
her face and her neck and shoulders were fear
fully injured, three deep holes having been
made by the glowing cinders in the flesh. Her
bands also were covered with blisters. Mr..
Hunters face, neck and hands were burned
badly. Mr.. Marines face was a hideous spec
tacle. One cheek was literally raw, aud great
blotches pitted his left arm, shoulder and back
One eye is hopelessy ruined. and the other in
famed to an ominous degree All were scar
red especially on the face, neck, hands and
feet. As they all say. no tongue can tell their
agony of mind, pain, anguish and terror, nor
can language or pencil portray the dreadful
scenes through which they have passed
TERRIBLE STORY
Mr.. Hunter story is at once graphic and
thrilling He resided at Peshtego with bis
wife and little child seven years of age. Their
house was about three miles from the town,
just at the edge of strip Of forest. There
had been fires in the woods and prairies for
week previously, and night after night they had
sat at the window gazing upon the gorgeous
panorama of fame, smoke a1d sparkling Gin
ders as it moved along the horizon. Very lit
tie fear was entertained, as the course of the
fire seemed away from the town. On Sunday
night they attended the church in the village:
They and MARITIME, the hired man, retired to
rest early. wholly unsuspecting the fearful per-
il that was soon to overwhelm them. At about
midnight they were aroused by the roar and
cracking of the falnes At first they were al
most petrifed with amaZemeDt and fear. The
blazing woods seemed marching upon them
A brisk breeze was stirring, but the strong cur
rents of hot air ragged to and fro with horrid
bowling sound. Quickly dressing, they rushed
to the yard. The sky was thick with smoke,
aud showers of sparks were hurled hither and
thiher, assaiing their faces, eyes and clothing.
From the barn came piteous chorus OF neighs,
belowings, and screams from the terrified cat
tie, horses and other animals. Alter great dit
fcultv they were released and compelled to 60
out.
THE CATTLE AT ONCE srAMpEDED
from the fire, but the horses trenbled and
seemed paraly yzed-their nostrils expanding,
their eyes diating aud garing, and their mouths
frothing. With great difficulty and haste they
we're harnessed and attached to long, lumber
box wagon, into which few articles were has
tily thrown, aud the party mounted and drove
off An eighth of a mile had been traversed
at rapid rate when sudden gust OF wind
drove a mass of red-hot cinders upon them,
filling the air with sitting smoke. Where the
sparks fell they burned into the flesh. The
little girl screamed with fear Oh mama, L
am burning upl' She cried and the others
groaned, shook off the fire, and covered them
selves with blankets. The air f,r moment
was black, and breathing was almost impossible.
The horses staggered, backed and reared with
furious screams, and then, with plunge that
unseated those in the wagon, mady rushed
down 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 against the stones,
and the wagon 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
carried in another direction. They could see
that all the Northern part of the village
WAS ON FIRE
and the flames seemed moving with the veloc-
ity of clouds. All the buildings were of wood,
much of it being pitch pine, and as there had
been no rain for long time and the sun had
baked everything dry, the fire ran along them
as though they had been train of gunpowder.
The blaze came like mountainous wave with
hum-m m and roar-r, and his-ss-s and hor-
rible sounds of crashing chimneys and timbers.
The villagers 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 fame had begun to surge
through it. To pass here was certain destruc-
ton, 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 dash
the clumsy team, bounding and rafting over
the road. A turn of three miles more must be
made to reach the river Half mile is passed
and shallow creek reached into which the
horses plunge in spite of all efforts The three
quickly saturate their clothing and dash water
over the horses, who whinny paw, and neigh
as though they appreciated the situation. A.
gain start is made, and the party go along al
high speed. Before the two miles is reached
THE FIRE HAS SURROUNDED THEM.
One part alone is untouched; it is a faru
lane running down toward the river Into this
they turn. Closer and closer comes the fire.
Sparks are scattered over them, burning where
they touch the flesh. The horses are wild with
pain and fright, and bending down their necks
tear along with frantic speed. A gate il
reached, but without pausing they dasl
through it, scattering the splintered fragment
like so many straws. Down the hill they gal
lop; the river is reached; they leap, ant
plunge, and horses, wagon, and people are il