The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-19
PORT JERv1s N Y Nav "a 1879.

Never in the history OF this section Of country
has there swept through its forests and over It's
mountains such havoc-dealing fires as have been
witnessed during the past two or three weeks. A
cloud OF smoke has hung over this valley like a
pail Tor weeks, and 1t increases in density daily.
me sun is seen as through glass darkly. and
burned leaves and charred twigs come down at
times like shower.
for over four weeks not n drop OF rain has fallen
IN thls vicinity The streams are az low "a In mid
summer and everything bears withered thirsty
look. The Delaware River can be waded at this
place without wetting ones knees, and the noun
tain brooks, many of them, unlike Tennison's. show
that they do not go on for ever, for they are
dry as dry can be. And in the midst or
this, with sorry weather while crops struggling
in the dry and dusty earth, the fearful holocaust
goes on In the woods and mountains Farms are
laid waste, timber levelled with the ground and
ruin and desoaton spread on every hand.
OVER THE DELAWARE.
Across the Delaware River from this place. In
Pike county, Pennsylvania, fire covering territory
seven miles in extent is sweeping over some
OF the best land In the section. 1t Is back
on high range OF hills, and invisible
from this side, except at night, when the
heavens are brilliantly lighted by it. Buildings,
fences meadows, timber, crops, and everything in
the track Of the fiery demon are being swept away.
All opposition to the advance OF the flames Is use
less. The farm residence OF Mr.. II. r. Palmer, about
four miles back from the Milford road, s entirely
surrounded by fire, and although great efforts
being made to save 1t, 1t s thought that it must
be destroyed. In Porter township Pike county,
the fires are laying vast area waste.
portion Of the land being burned over, belongs
to the blooming Grove Park Association, and large
quantities Of wild game have been destroyed.
That famous hunters retreat, the hotel OF
'Petc" Henry, at Portcr's Lake. has been reduced
to ashes, together with the numerous outhouses
and large quantities OF fishing and hunting tackle.
The damage to property In this township will reach
$4,000 or s25, 900.
On the western boundary of Pike county the
greatest damage has been done. Twelve large steam
sawmills have been destroyed ana many dwelling
houses. The lumber camps Of Dodge Mcigs, con
tanning several million feet OF lumber, have been
burned, the inmates of the cabins narrowly escaping
with their lives. At Wagonhurst's Callahan's and
Dowling's settlements, nothing Is left but charred
and smoking ruins. Dozens OF families have been
compelled to dee for their lives before the flames
and the greatest suffering exists among them.
quarter OF million of dollars will not pay the losses
in this section.
All the mills left In the vicinity idle the men
being needed to fight fire.
LOSSES IN WAYNE COUNTY.
In Wayne county, Pennsylvania, the fires have
compelled the suspension Of coal transportation
over the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's
railroad, leading from the mines to Honesdae, and
| the greatest CONSERVATION exists among the dwell
ers along the line. In the vicinity OF Waymart
fires dangerously close to the village and defying
all attempts to confne them to certain limits are
reported rs raging
The lumber villages OF Carter and Could, Pa.--the
former the property of.G. Clark, and the latter be-
longing to James Gbert-have been almost
totally destroyed, only three houses remain
ing in the two places, The villages were
close together, being divided by stream
called Larry Creek. The fire swept down
upon them from the mountains overlooking
the places So rapid was the advance of the flames
that the inhabitants had to fee for their lives They
took up their quarters first, the only place
thought to Offer any security against the fire, upon
the thousands of logs which were lying
in the millpond, near one OF the villages;
but 1t was soon found that the post
must be deserted. short time thereafter the logs
took fire and burned up. The mill was then the
this the terrified populace huddled like sheep.
Several times the building was on fire, but it was
eXtingushed and escaped the general connagration.
When the fire had ceased burning three houses
alone were found to be standing and many families
were homeless.
Sussex county, New jersey and Sullivan and
Delaware counties, in this State, and Monroe
county, Pennsylvania, are still being swept over
by the forest ires and the losses are estimated as
footing up in the millions.