The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-05-23
THE FIRE in the WOODS!
THE DEMON OF DESTRUC-
TON LET LOOSE
Miles of Timber, with Houses
Saw Mills. Lumber &C., a
prey to the DevOuring
element.
TOBYHANNA IN GREAT DANGER.
Saved by the Steamer Pocono.

We last week gave short account of the
terrible destruction going on in the lumber
woods of Luzerne and Wayne counties by
fire. Up to that time the loss sustained by
our hardy lumbermen, in standing and felled
timber, manufactured lumber, dwellings,
saw mills &C. &C., could only be estimated
by thousands upon thousands of dollars. 1t
was thought, however, that the work of de-
had about ceased, and for the fu-
ture safety and security had again become
the order of the day. But such was not the
case. The fire fend was not SO easily satia-
ted. More and still more food was deman-
ded, and day after day brought to our ears
new reports of burning and dissolution to a
region, which has not, at any time, been bles-
sed with an overabundance of that plenty,
which goes to make up the comfort of even
a sparcey settled community. From Wayne
and Luzerne the fire fend made rapid
strides to the borders of our own county, and
On Monday evening of last week, the Tele
graph brought us news that the thriving vii
lage of Tobyhanna Mills, the first in imper-
tance of all the villages of Monroe, was in
great danger of falling victim to the maraud-
ing flames The Nay Aug Steamer of
Scranton was sent for and, accompanied by a
large force of the railroad companies hands,
was on the grounds in one hour and seven
teen minutes after receiving the dispatch
The Steamer, however for some reason, was
not put into action, not even unshipped from
the cars, but left for Scranton, by return
train, about an hour after her arrival. 1t is
said this was done in response to demand
from the Scranton authorities for her imme-
diate return home The men, who accom-
panied the Steamer, however, remained, and,
joining those who belonged to the neighbor-
hood, fought the fiend like heroes. But in
spite of all their efforts, it appeared that
was doomed village. The fire
kept crawling on, step by step, until at last,
gathering strength, it appeared to rush with
the most demonaic fury towards the town.
The fight continued bravely until Wednesday
evening, when despair seized upon the citi-
zens, and they began to feel that all was lost
unless aid from abroad came to the succor.
At about s o'clock p. m., on Wednesday
evening dispatch was received from Isaac
Case, Esqr., stating their great danger in
brief and asking that the Steamer Pocono,
with the fire Company, be sent their assis-
lance at once. Our town having been start
led with an alarm of fire in the afternoon the
in most destructive conhagra-
ton by the opportune labor of several per-
sons near by, there was some hesitation in
sending away our only security, in shape of
ter however, led to the improvising of such
means of protection as could be gathered to-
gether, and by ii clock, p. M, both the
Steamer and men were on the cars, slowly
winding on their way to the rescue oft the ap-
parently doomed town. After ride of some
two hours the scene of our labors was
reached, and being used to seeing burning
brush, but unused to the antics of fire
rushing rampant through the woods, we
mnst confess that we did not, at first, see
the cause for the look of utter hopelessness,
which We saw upon the contenance of almost
every man, belonging to the neighborhood,
we met. A few moments however, served to-
open our eyes to the true state of affairs, for
almost with the speed of lighting the fire
iend came rushing On. A hazy cloud, a
large body of rolling, lurid smoke, roaring
and cracking as though the elements were
all let loose, and the forked tongue of fire
wrapped itself around bush and tree merely
rs it were, to laugh at the impediment, and
then rush on for more and still more. 1t
seemed as though we were in the embrace of
the very besom of destruction. The air was
illed with sitting smoke, and look which
way you would, it was nothing but fire.
Upon unshipping the Steamer we found
hat plan Of operations, and the only one
which promised the least success, had been
agreed upon by the spirits who had thus far
ed the fight against the destructive element.
The Steamer was, in consequence, at once
AIKEN to the pool of Dodge & Co.'S Mill, the
lose stretched, and other preparations made
or work. The plan held the Steamer to the
,eeping of the Companies extensive board
,iles, containing several million feet of dry
awed lumber, the bark piles, containing
everal hundred cords, the buildings near
bouts, and the rubbish lying around, wet
md setting of back fire to meet and check
he approaching flames. This work was
hroushly inaugurated by about clock a.
H., and by half past six, a. m., after four
md half hours of hard labor, was most sue
essfully accomplished. People breathed
reer then, and were loud in tn eir expressions
# praise of the Pocono, as the real means,
lnder Providence by which the town was
aved. The joy however, was but short lived,