Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-20
Wisconsin and Michigan Fires.

Sufferers by the Wisconsin and Michigan
fires are arriving in New York. The stor,
which they tell is heart-rending. A famil,
by the name of Hunter relates a terribl,
tale.
A New York correspondent of the Bosto,
Journal says
All were suffering from having inhaled tn.
smoke, fumes and ashes Of the fire. Mrs
Hunters hair, which she says flowed to tn
waist, was completely burned off. One sid
of her face and her neck and shoulders wer,
fearfully injured, three deep holes havin
been made by the glowing cinders in tn
flesh. Her hands, also, were covered witt
blisters. Mr.. Hunters face, neck and hand
were badly burned. Mr.. Marines face wa,
hideous spectacle. One cheek was LITERAL,
raw, and great blotches pitted his left arm
shoulder and back. One eye is hopelessl
ruined, and the other inflamed to an ominon
degree. All were Scared, especially on tn
face, neck, hands and feet. As they all say
no tongue can tell their agong of mind, pain
anguish and terror, nor can language o
pencil portray the dreadful scenes througi
which they have passed.
Mr.. Hunters story is at once graphic an,
thrilling He resided at Pestigo with hi
wife and little child, seven years of ag,
Their house was about three miles from tn
town, just at the age of strip of forest
Their had been fires in the woods aud pra,
ries for week previously, and night aft.
night they had sat at the windows, gain
upon the gorgeous panorama of fame, smok
and sparkling cinders, as it moved along tn
horizon. Very little, if any fear was ente,
tanned, "a the course of the fire seemed ava,
from the town.
On Saturday night they attended chur,
in the village. They and MARITIME, the herd
man, retired to rest early, wholly unsuspeci
ing the fearful peril that was soon to over
whelm them. At about midnight they wer,
aroused by the roar and cracking of IT,,
flames. At first they were almost pertriit
with amazement and fear. The blazin.
woods seemed marching upon them. hrisl
breeze was stirring, but Il e strong current
of hot air ragged to and fro with horrio
bowling sound. Quickly dressing, the
rushed to the yard. The sky was thick win
smoke, and showers of sparks were hurled
hither and thither, assailing their faces, eye
and clothing. From the barn came piteou
chorus or neiRhs, bellowings and scream,
from the terrified cattle, horses and 9th.
animals. After great difficulty they were re
leased, and compelled to go out The cattl
| at once staiHpeueu lroul tHe ure, out TN
horses trembled and seemed paralyzed thei
nostrils expanding, their eyes dilating an,
glaring. and their mouths frothing. Witt
great difficulty and haste they were harnesset
and attached to long lumber box wagon
! into which few articles were thrown, am
| the party mounted and drove Off. An eight
| of a mile had been traversed at rapid rate
| when sudden gust of wind drove a mass o
red hot cind RS upon them, filling the air witt
sitting smoke. Where the sparks fell the
burned into the flesh. The little .irl scream
| ed with fear "Oh, mama, am burning up,
she cried, and the others groaned, shook of
the fire and coeered themselves with blankets
The air for a moment was black and breath
ing was almost impossible. The horses stay
gered, backed, and reared with furiou
screams, and then with a Plunge, which un
seated those i'll the wagon, nadly rushed
down the road at almost lightning speed. AL
control of them was lost, and the party clun,
to the sides of the vehicle to keep in. Or
they flew, the wheels striking fire against tn
stones, and the wagon swaying to and fir
from one side to the road to the other. Then
for time, the wind changed and the cloud
of cinders were carried in another direction
They could see that all the northern part I
the village was en- fire. and the flames SCENE
moving with the velocity of clouds. All n
buildings were of wood, much of il helm
sfp,teh pine, and as there had been no raj
tor II long time, and the sun had baked e,
erything dry, the fire ran along them a
though they hal b en- rain Of gunpowder.
Mrs. Hunter SAID; We ssood in the waite
up to our necks, our little girl Minnie bein
held up between us. When first We went i