South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-10-20
The Forest Fires.

!
ges of the same fiery element in Alichigau,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and
elsewhere. Immense fires have been rag
ing in the western forests for the las, two
weeks. II is said that in Wisconsin the
fires have had no parallel since The settle
meut of the country Two thousand square
miles are reported TO have been swept by
the flames. la Michigan it is stated that
five villages have been entirely and two
partially destroyed All that portion Of
the State east Of Saginaw bay, ard north
Of point forty miles above Port Huron,
has been burnt over aud NUN bers Of persons
have persisted. Scarcely county in the
State but has suffered more or less The
damage to tho pine lanGs is incalculable.
There was light rain on Wednesday which
seemed to have checked the progress Of the
Gres through the State. The fires have
burned fercely in the immense woods in
some portions Of Minnesota Wood and
prairie fires are also reported to be raging
along the line Of the Louisville, New Al
bany and Chicago railroad, between New
Albany, Indiana, and Lafayette, gu the
North Fad road, destroying miles of fences,
hay, grain in stack, corn III the field, Lous-
cs, barns and cattle pens. There had been
4 long and protracted drought in the West,
and the flames went over the country as if
it were finder. 1t is feared that the losses
will prove enormous, and assistance is said
to be needed nearly all through the north
west where these fires have been raging.
I MILWAUKEE, October l6-Later ac-
counts from Northern Wisconsin confirm
all previous reports, and rurnors The loss
of life in the neighborhood of the burned
village of Peshtgo will reach over one
thousand, two hundred, or ) per cent of
those injured can't recover
The fire tornado was heard at a distance
like the roaring of the sea. Balls Of fire
were soon observed 60 fall like mcteors, in
different parts Of the town, igniGug what
ever they touched. People rushed with
their children in their arms for place Of
safety, but the storm of fire was upon them.
and overlaped them in fame, smoke, burn
ing sand and cinders, and those unable to
reach the water were suhocate1 and roast
cd alive This terrific scene happened on
Sunday night, the Sth Of October, already
made famous by the Chicago horror. a
member Of the Relief Committee, sent
from Milwaukee with supplies, says the on
" survivors were those who were fortunate
enough to reach the water, many throwing
themselves in the middle of the pond and
clinging to the floating logs. \ number
of these were drowned, by being thrown
from the logs by maddened horses and cat
tie that rushed into the water. The fiery
cyclone swept over a tract Of country eight
or ten miles wide. Every building, fence,
and all the timber was licked up clean by
the tongue Of fire. The town of Peshtigo
numbered 1000, one-third of whom per-
ished on that fearful night. Reports from
the eastern shore Of Green Bay place the
loss of life fully as high as at P3shtigo.
The same account; states that the immedi-
ate wants of the people are supplied but
large amounts Of provisions and clothing
will be required fer the coming winter.
The mayor Of Milwaukee has issued an
appeal to the people for aid.
Hundreds of Lives Lost -Forests
To,rns amt pWagss. WRiow N,n,ier, Desiroysd
From the Chicago Post of Friday last
The lumber regions of Wisconsin and
Minnesota have been in flames several days
past. Now the demon of destruction is
sweeping over the lumber districts Of Mich
igaD All aloDgtbe shore Of Lake Huron,
and the northern part of the western shore
of the State, the fires are raging. Manis.
tee was on fire Sund1y night, 200 houses
were burned, and five mills, including those
Of Cushman, Calbins & Co., Green 4 Nil
mon, Garfield, and Taylor u Robinson.
Several stores and warehouses were also
burned. The loss to tho first named firm
was above 800 600, partially insured. a
copious rain fell on Monday, which is be
lieved 10 have cxtiugui-hcd the Manistce
fire Williams mill ffty-fvc were kill
cd, ten badly burned, and only three cs-
capped. At PcDsaukcc twelve TO fifteen
houses were burned lnl one JIG, lost On
Sunday night fire broke out in the Belgian
settlement, at Brussels, in Door county,
destroying $50 houses and leaving FIVE
Nine pcrs ms are missing, and hundreds are
starving, the crops being destroyed The
fires in Caiumetan Shcboycau counties are
out, but immense damage has been done.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan, E0gle
says that tho immediate danger here Las
been avcTted, but forests near there have
been consumed North and west, along
the linc Of he Grand Rapids and Indiana
road and thc other lines, the flames wore
raging ON both sides IF the track, SO that
thc glass in thc car windows was cracked
Big Rapids was surrounded by FIRE, and
howard City. Morley, Elgcr'an, Cedar
Springs. and other points arc in great dam
g.r Nmrly alI Door Centre wa- burned.
aud all Holland City was destroyed, few
persons being killed The danger o' Mus
kegon was very great, The heavy iamorack
D. D