Connecticut western news., 1873-08-01
A Village on Fire.
A Fearful Experience.

AMichigan paper publishes a private letter from State Senator McGowan to his wife, giving an account of the great fire at Michigammi After describing the spread of the flames in the forests surrounding the village, he says:
 "We saw it was useless for us to try to do anything except, if possible, save our lives. We ran to the lake and got out on 8 point. But the direction ot the shore was east and west, and the fire was sweeping down upon us. I went to the edge of the water, and looked ur and down. The line of safety seemed ito be in the water, and in I went. picked up a board six or eight feet long and waded out to get better view o1 the situation. Just east of me I saw some men trying to get hewn stick in to the lake. I went to them, but they had given it up and were looking fol boards. I urged them to put in the timber, and, at my solicitation, they tried again and we succeededin in launch. ing it. One of the men had plank, and I had my board. We laid the board and plank across the timber, which was probably twenty five feet long, and with this raft six of us put to sea in the teeth of furious wind that sought to drive us into the fire. After struggling awhile, I told the men to keep the tim. Der from turning, and I clambered ur astride of it, near the "bow" end, and, with my board for a paddle, I struck out. It was terrible work. The winds and the waves were against us. The lake was white with foam. We had made about four rods from shore when one of the tallest men, letting himself down, said his feet were on rock. Our strength was almost exhausted, sc we told him to hold us. slipped down from my wooden horse, and on examin- ation we found the rock large enough to allow two of us to stand on it. We took long breath, and went into com. mittee of the whole on the situation. If we should undertake to TOW our craft further from the fire, we would soon be overcome, and then be blown directly into it. The unanimous verdict was, that we would take our chances there. The fire was around us, above us, every >where. The water was full of strug, gling people. We held to the stick. Two of us would stand on the rock at a time and anchor the rest, who foated like sea weeds from along the sides ot the timber. When the hot air swept down upon us, we put our faces close to the water and shut our mouths. Fol an hour and half we were there iu the water, and I became terribly chilled.
 By and by the worst of the fire was over, and couple of Swedes came to. ward us with boat. I was the worst used up of any of the party, thoroughly chilled and exhausted. My companions called to them to come and take ne off They helped me into the boat, and the Swedes took me to the little steamer which was anchored further out in the lake. gave them $2 to go back ano bring off another of the boys who was also badly chilled. As soon as I got aboard the boat commenced wringine my clothes as we'll as I could and exer. cising all I was able. The hot air and smoke had made my lungs so sore could not breathe deep, and every breath was painful However the ail was still warm from the fire, and I grad. ually grew warmer. We sent every boat we could after the people in the water, and on the points, until at last our little steamer was loaded. The fire had swept by where our raft was, and the balance of our little party had lei loose from the rock and foated ashore. We were all saved. The mill was still standing, but not out of danger. After they had sounded the whistle, the peo pie commenced gathering there. car not describe the scene here. I don't want to try. The women and children and men rushing about and crying and begging to know something of the ab sent ones. You may imagine it, don't ask me to tell it. The whole village was burned. Out of 126 houses, only three were left standing, and one ot those was burning before we left. II was impossible to tell how many lives | were lost.