Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-11-09

and the HameS seemed moving with the
yelocity of clouds. All the buildings
we've O. wood. much Of it being pitch pine,
and as there had been no rain for long
time aud the sun had baked everything
dry, the FIRE ran along them as though
they had been train Of gunpowder. Tie
blaze came like mountainous wave with
IA hum-m IN, and a roar-r and hls-ss-s
aud horrible sounds of crashing chin
neys and tmbers. 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
destruction, and if the maddened
ed animals could not be turned down the
crossing death was at hand for II. w 18th
great efforts the rens were drawn and the
feat accomplished. and on dash the
clumsy team bounding and rafting over
the road A turn of three miles must be
made to reach the river. Half mile is
passed and shallow creek reached, into
which the horses plunged 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. Again a
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 touched the
flesh. The horses are wild with pain and
fright, and bending down their necks
tear along with frantic speed. A gate
is reached, but without pausing they
dash through it. scattering the sp ter
ed fragments like so many straws. Down
the h i'll they gallog; the river is reached;
they leap, aud plunge, and 'he horses
wagon, aud people are in the ca lily wa
tiers, midst lumber, logs, ashes, charred
boards, ami every kind ofrubbish. There
were a lso animals of all kinds, lnterniln-
gled aud struggling for life. Here was
the culmina ton of horrors. The team
becoming exhausted with their efforts,
finally sank, and were carried away by
the undercurrent. The other animals
held on like humans with heir feet to the
floating logs and timbers, all the while
utering the most pitiful nouns. There
were a number of persons 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 first went in tue feeling
was that o grateful refleshment. The
Top Of the water seemed 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 move like huge hawk, and
then swoop down upon US We wonlq
duck our heads under the water, luz
would get 50 exhausted that we coald
not, and then we had to be burned.
Poor little Minnie, SO weak THAI size could
hardly cry, would say, Dear Papa, | am
burned again, Dear mama. my feet are
so cold, aud | am SO tired. Three hours
and more thus passed Every minute we
expected to die. Finally the air became
so hot we could not see. Our eyes seem
ed pairboied. The agony was awful
our feet like ice. and our faces and beads
in an atmosphere OF fame. At iastthere
was u rush Of the waters, the dam had
given way, and the food came down up
on us, sweeping us off our feet into "a
mass of timber, broken planks (some on
6re), horses, cattle. dogs. and human
beings, al. struggling and shrieking
In the rush and VIII If 1.-THE almost help
less Mr.. and Mrs. Hunter were separated
Mrs. Hun Ter went down and came neal
being d,owned. Minnie was lost and
drown d. BY a swerving of the current
they were washed on sholc add at day
high found each other. Thele were many
mourn ing aud crying over the scene OF
desc latlon. Un all sides as far as the eye
could reach were smoulderiDg fires. The
vilage was a long waste of ashes; not &
vestigc remalued.
Tie very turf Was eaten aw y by the
deyouring flames. The dreadful agony
OF those who had lost children and other
relatives, az well US the awful anguish from
burns,we beyond description. People,
were SCARED and blackened as
not to know each other. Burned and
drowned bodies lay here and there. In
one place there were fourtesp, these ap
parcn thy having persisted fs,;,sS'pg high
together. Two little childre, ;, lay side
b, side with their hands extended to-
wards each other as though beseecipg help.
There were other heari-rending scenes
too numerous to mention and impossible
to adequately describe.