Middletown transcript., 1871-11-04
an ADVENTURE DURING THE sfICIsi-
GAN vOREDT FIRES.

reached Detroit. from Port Huron, on
Wednesday week. had narrow and cu-
rious escape from being roasted alive in
the north woods. His story is thus told
in the Detroi, Free Press:
Weaver is a single man, about fifty
years old. aud served all through the war
in an Ohio regiment Of infantry. Up to
two weeks ago he was at work for n man
named Bright, ten miles from Forcstvillc.
MS fireman for shiuglc mill. Two or
three days before the approach Of the
flames, which eventually destroyed that
section. Bright aud bis family left for
Forcstville. and the next day all the men
employed about the place either followed
the example or made haste to reach their
homes. On leaving. Bright informed his
men that the fire would sweep that way,
and warned them to lose no time in max
ing their escape. Having no property to
lose or family to care for, Weaver deter
mined as he says, ito stay and sec the
circus out" meaning that he intended
saving the mill if possible. He has
stubborn sort Of spir,it, and the fact that
everybody else went induced him to stay.
As soon as the men went he set to work
and buried al! the provisions left in the
house. and during the day also buried the
knives. belt aud other light machinery Of
the MILL as well as stove and quantity
Of crockcry ware. There was plenty of
water in the vicinity of the mill, and he
filled several barrels full, besides we,ting
down house, mill, stock aud everything
which would burn, scattering several hun
lrci pailfuls Of water on the ground a
round the buildings.
! When night came, anl the fire had not
appeared, he began to jcor at his abscn,
comrades. But his sei-conceit soon left
/ him. About ten o'clock the heavens were
so light that be could see the smallest OBJ
jjccts around him. aud there was a roaring
( in the forests which sounded like waves
beating against rocks on the shore. He
/ began to suspect that he would soon re-
ceiyc the visited predicted, and accordingly
made preparations for it. In lcyellne up
| the ground around the shinglc mill, earth
bad been obtained by digging here aud
+ there. and Weaver went to work and dug
one Of theac pits deep enough for him TO
stand up in
He then filed it nearly full of water,
aud took care to saturatc the ground a
round il for distance Of several rods
tining to the mill he dragged out four
inch plank, sawed it in two, and saw that
the parts tightly covered the mouth Of the
little we'll Il calkated it would be tech
aud 90. said he, "bp, i. was the best
could d. \, midnight ho had every
!hine arranged, anl the roaring then was
awful u hear The clearing was ten or
twelve acres in extent and Weaver says
that for two hours bcfor the fire reached
him there was constant fight across the
ground Of small animals Az he rested
aiomen, from giving the house another
wslting down, horse dashed into the
opening al full speed, and made for the
house, where he stopped aud turned to.
wards the fire Weaver could see him
,remble and shake in his excitement and
terror, and felt pity for him. After a
moment the animal gave ut,erancc to n
snort Of lismay. ran two or three times n
round the house, and then shot of into
the woods Ike = rocket
Not long after this FIRE came. Weaver
stood by his well. ready for the cmcrgcn-
ey, yet curious 10 see the breaking in Of
tie flames The roaring increased in vol
ame the air became oppressive, cloud
Of tln., aud cinders came showcring down,
and he could see the flames through the
trees. |, did not run along upon the
ground. nor leap from ,reo TO tree, but il
eamn along like tornado, sheet o. fame
reaching from the earth to the tops Of the
trees. AZ il struck the clearing he jump
ed into his well and closed the planks.
lie could no longer seq but he could hear.
lie says the flames made no halt whatever,
nor ceased their roaring for and instant.
but he had hardly got the opening closed
before the house and mill were burning
like iinder, and both were down in five
minutes. The smoke came down to him
powerfully, and his den was so hot tha.
lie could hardly breathe,
He knew the planks above him were on
FIRE, but, remembering their thickness, he
waited till the roaring Of the flames had
died away. and thcn with his head and
hands turned them over aud put out the
fire by dashing up water with his hands
Although it was n cold night, and the wa.
ter had Mt first chilled him, the heat grad.
ualy warmed il up until he fel, very com.
Portable.
He remained in his den until daylight
frequently turning over the planks and
putting out the fire, aud then the wors
had passed. The earth around was or
fire in spots house and mill were gone
leaves, brush and logs were swept clear
away. as IL shaved OF and swept with I
broom and nothing but sut and ashe,
we're to be seen.
After the FIRE had somewhat cooled Off
Weaver made an investigation Of his caches
aud found that considerable Of the property
buried had been saved, although he los
all his provisions except piece Of driet
beef, which tho 6rc bad cooked y ip q
oven without spelling II. He had no 9th