Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-11-01

clothing. From tno Darn came plteous
chorus of neighs, bellowings and screams
from the terrified cattle, horses and other
animals. After great difficulty they
were released and compelled to 60 out.
The cattle at once stampeded from the
FIRE, but the horses trembled and seemed
paralyzed, their nostrils expanding their.
eyes dilating and glaring. and their
mouths frothing. With great difficulty
and haste they were harnessed and at
tached to a long lumber Wagon, into
which few articles were thrown, and
the party mounted and drove off, An
eighth of mile had been traversed at
rapid rate when sudden gust of wind
drove 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 mamma, l am burning up!"
She cried and others groaned, shook off
the fire, and covered themselves with
blankets. The air for a moment was
black, and breathing was almost impossi-
BILE. The horses staggered, backed and
reared with furious screams, and then,
with plunge that unseated those in the
wagon, madly rushed down the road at
almost lightning speed, All CONTROL of
them was lost and the party clung to
the sides of the vehicles to keep in, On
they flew. the wheels striking fire against
the stones, and the wagon swaying to
and fro from one side of road to the
other Then for time the wind chang
ed, 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 NOV.
ing with the velocity of the clouds. All
the buildings were of wood, much Of it
being pich 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
noun infamous wave with a hum-m-m
aud a roar, aud hiss-ss-s aud hOr-
rible sounds Of crashing chimneys and
timbers The villagers rushed through
xI,o mt snh kav
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 destruction,
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 accom-
plishcd, and on dashed the clumsy team.
bounding and rattling over the road. A
turn of three miles more must be made
to reach the river. Half miles i. pass
ed and a shallow creek reached, into
which the horses plunge in spite of all
efforts. The three quickly saturate
their clothing and dash water over the
Lores, who whinny, paw and neigh as
though they appreciated the situation.-
Again start is made, and the party go
along at high speed. Before the two
miles is reached, the fire has surrounded
them.
One part alone is untouched it is
farm 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 at frantic speed. A gate is
reached, but without pausing they dash
through it, scattering the splintered frag-
ments like SO many straws. Down the
bill they gallop; the river is reached,
they leap. and plunge, and horses. wagon
and people are in the chilly water, midst
lumber, logs, ashes, charred boards, and
every kind Of rubbish. There were also
animals Of all kinds, intermingled and
struggling for life. Here was the culmi-
nation of horrors. .. s GEL
The team becoming exhausted with
their efforts, finally sank, and were carried
away by the undercurrent. The other
animals held on like human beings with
their feet to the floating logs and timbers,
all the while uttering the most pitiful
means. There we've a number of per-
sons here. although most of the refugees
were further up the stream. As Mrs.
Hunter said: 1--WE stood in the water up
to our necks, our little girl Minnie being
held up between US. When we hrst
went in the feeling was that Of grateful
refreshment. The top of the water seem
ed warm, but the bottom part was cold.
After we had been there half an hour
the wind carried great chips, and even
pieces of boards, some of them flaming
These would be whirled in the air, high
up over our heads, and bower like
huge haws, and then swoop down upon
US. We could duck our heads under the
water. but would get 30 exhauted that
we could not, and then we had to be
burned. Poor little Minnie, so weak
that she could not cry, would say. "Dear
papa, am burned again. Dear mama,
my feet are so cold, and am tired