The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-28

Ane showers Exthn8 u1snln8 tho FAamce-
Incidents and Losses.
On Saturday night rain commenced falling over
the region at the east end OF Long Island for sew.
eral days previously devastated by the forest res
and showers have since succeeded at Intervals.
Az the fires had previously been mostly subdued.
through the long continued and strenuous exer-
tons Of the Inhabitants 1t Is now hoped that all
danger from the further spread OF the hames is
past although 1t Is probable that the nre will
shoulder in the swampy places for some
time to come and will not be entirely
extingulshed before the coming OF the Fal
rains The theory Of the scientists that
long continued drought in any locality can be
terminated by building great nres which will pro-
duce large volumes OF smoke, appears In this case
to be entirely supported; for the great fires which
have been promoted by the drought which had
previously almost burned up the crops OF the east
end Of the island are speedily followed by wide.
spread and copious rainfall.
There are various theories to account for the
origin Of the fire which did 80 much damage In the
vicinity Of Patchogue; but they are not OF so much
consequence as the Inconvenience and actual
suffering which it has entaled. 1t appears to have
first started near the Oakdale station, on the
South Side Railroad; to have burned northerly
until 1t reached tho track OF the Long Island
road near Lakeland, and then to have taken
southeasterly course towards Patchogue, where its
1t is estimated that this re must have burned over
an area OF from thirty to dfty miles, where now
country. The settlers in the region travorsed by
the flames were small German farmers who have
generally lost all their possessions, including their
live stock. At Sandy Hollow, about three miles
northwest of Patchogue. was neat farmhouse,
with outbuildings. belonging to German family,
same direction, AZ the corner OF Ocean avenue and
road Leading y, to properly
EOhamianVilla
HolbrcOk station ana Patciogue, four larmnou
Dealers. At Edenvale about three miles west OF
F. & w. Nx sas
owned by Mr.. Pierce Of Brooklyn. and valued at
lars. The house OF Mary CONFESS, living alone in
the woods, was also destroyed There appears to
that three e0c Children had BEEN burned to
Bohemianvle, but the narrow escapes were quite
numerous, both Of children and adults. An APP
Proclamation OF the damage TO improved property
Edenyale. $4,000; at Bohemlanville, 5000; on
crops and woodlands cannot yet be properly esti-
mated, and they all principally upon people who
Mr.. Charles Price lost valuable piece OF timber.
The place just purchased by ex-Congressman
Roosevelt. near sayvlle, barely escaped destruc-
ton.
on the line of the Long Island Railroad, below
Ho!brook station, John Geroe lost his house and
barn, with all his furniture and farming tmplo-
ments, amounting TO about $4,000. Mr.. Headley,
near BY. saved his house, but lost all his
crops and farming implements. The entire
settlement Of Holbrook only escaped destruc-
ton by fortunate SHIFT of the wind, the
people having their effects packed ready for dying.
Mrs. Cornish's house, at Waverley station, was
burned, and the railroad depot was on IRE several
times but was finally saved. North OF the railroad,
In the direction OF Lake RonkOnkOma the damage
but slight the fire having been got under con-
troll early on Saturday. There were many rumors
OF heavy losses OF stock, and even OF human life,
and probably had no foundation. In this neighbor-
hood, as well as in the vicinity OF PatchOgue, the
fires were entirely under control on Saturday and
the rains that have since occurred have doubtless
served to render assurance d0ubly sure. Some
time must elapse before the actual damage to even
improved property can be asccrtained.