Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-24
MICHIGAN and Wisconsin, FIRES.


igan and Wisconsin are of the most heart
rending character. II seems that large
section in both these States has been
swept over by fire, destroying many lives
and vast amount of property. The
strip of territory in Michigan lying be-
tween Green Bay on the east and Fox
and Wolf rivers OH the west. comprises
a tract of four thousand square miles, the
greater part of which has been deva.la
ted
The flames had crept down from the
north by the western line of this belt,
when the wind shifted to the south and
southeast, and the fire returned over the
unburned section lying between the burn
ed district and the Lake. In this way,
probably, were cut off the many refugees
who had fled from fires in the north. On
Sunday, it is reported, these encircling
flames destroyed over four hundred lives!
On the opposite side of the Lake the
forest fires have apparently been quite rs
bad The numbering town of Manistee
has been nearly consumed, 206 buildings
having been burned on Sunday night,
with total loss of near II million dollars.
Holland. about 20 miles south OF Grand
Haven, has been reduced To ashes, and
the flames seem to have swept across the'
whole breadth of the State to the foot of
Lake Huron. The disaster was most
complete on the peninsula between Lake
Huron and Saginaw Bay. All that part
of the State lying east OF the Bay and
north OF point 40 miles above Port lIu.
ron has been burned over. This district
covering region about 40 miles square
was the seat OF IN extensive lumber
trade and all along the shores of the
Lake and Bay were prosperous settle
ments, large and small, at which lumber
was sawed. planed, stored. and shipped,
and depots maintained Tor the supply of
persons employed in the business. The
flames. approaching from the west and
south, must have hemned in these viii
lagos and cut of all escape except by
water, Many OF the inhabitants ayailed
themselves OF this avenue Of safety. Two
or three steamers from Detroit picked up
some sixty of the tugitives, many severe
ly burned. and all destitute.
4 letter states that the fire at Peshtigo,
Wisconsin, occurred on the evening of
the Sth, commencing shortly alter the
people returned from the evening ser.
vices AZ church. An ominous roaring
sound was first heard. then halls of fire
like meteors fell in different parts Of the
town, igniiing Whatever they touched
The whole population were then seized
with panic, caught up their children
and fled TO the river and other places OF
safety. Shortly after horrible tornado
cnyeloped everything in llc, smoke, hot
sand and cinders. Those who had not
then reached tho river were Sutfocsted
and burned before they could advance
many steps. The storm was tame
borne by hurricane, accompanied by
electrical sparks and electrical flashes IN
the air, and danced over the whole earth.
1t lasted only hale IN hour but the build
ings aud woods burned all night About
LOO persons feel 10 low meadow below
the bridge and were all saved. \ large
number took refuge in a mill pond, where
they kept themselves and babies under
water, constantly wetting their heads TO
keep from roasting. Several were
drowned by cattle fleeing to the pond
and trampling them down. The tornado
came from the southwest and WAS about
ten miles wide, sweeping every vestaSe
of fences, building, and timber before it,
with fire
Many other village. were burned. All
root. crops and provisions were destroyed
in seven counties Gov. Fsirchid OF
Wisconsin telegraphs that the appalling
calamity is not exaggerated. Over 5000
men. women and children, are des.
ii.ute. The loss of lie is very great.
No less than 800 persons were burned
Ia death al Peshtigo and vicinity. and
800 on the eastern shore. Scores of men
women aud children are now in tempo
rary hospitals burned and manned.
The following is description OF Il scene
witnessed on u steamer which arrived ut
Port Huron with two hundred fugitives
on board: The cabin and state-room.
were crowded with al eager, careworn
and distressed PEOPLE. Many of them
were without shoes or stockings, hats,
caps OF clothing enough to go into the
streets. Mothers had infants in their
arms not "A week old, others two and
three children in their laps crying. One
man had both eyes badly burned and
Landagcd. Another had his face all
burned over and his breast and arms
burned to blister
The Chicago Fire.