, 1873-07-03
MASSACHUSETTS ABlhZE.
A Forest Eira with 1. Front of Eight
N1ilca of Eluue.

HlfEc1 or ElnElE.
Plymouth Has, {J'"e ys,n ~ p'sputeh 10 The mp Yor
Ono Of tho most deutrnctlyo forest contingra-
tionn oyor known in New England 10 now raging
here in the wooded portion Of Plymouth County.
Il began on Friday, the goth inst, and has i'll
creased duly in magnitude and fury over since.
4 smart thirldor shower this afternoon las Ind
tho OBJECT to somewhat check its Hpocd, but I'LL
less there il more rain the fiery demon threatens
devastation OF tho country scarcely less in
extent and deetructiveness than the famous
Wcatorn fras. AT tho beginning there were no
fearful apprchenaions moro than Of m
e, ordinary summer a,u5 b3sl , fire. but tonight
Capo diBtrict and citizens arc organizing to pro-
toct tho hanalot, and villagoa which they inhabit,
In tho vicinity of the Great Routh Pond in this
town tho progress for three or four days has
boon steady up to the little ahowor this aftcr-
noon. Tic main body OF tho fire has been south
Of the pond, and tho entire half OF tho woods be-
tween tho great and little ponds is now burning
hercoy. Tho red garo from en- aroa Of eight
Mills, il terribly grand, and absolutely dones de-
acription. This morning. in Bpitc Of nl tho men
and means available for checking its progroHs
the fire emerged from ita apparent confinement
the ponds, and soizod upon tho scrub oak
and small pincs to tho northeast. Hero,
though not SO yiolont, 1t spread more
widely, and mnde rnpid progress towards tho
miles distant, which locality it is likely to roach
unlosa there aro rapid aud frequent renotit;oug
of this afternoons shower. nearer approach
Of tho fire to the thiolsly-aettcd portion Of Ply
mouth seems hardly probable, unloss tho wind
to caaHe the burning Of the district bctueon tho
ponds and tile town, which aro six nailos apart.
The interval is heavily wooded to within milo
of tho village, the remaining distance being
covered with light brush up TO within q quartet
milo Of tho houses No buildings in tho bath of
the fro have yet boon burned, tle1nen engaged in
fighting 1t having concentrated upon cvoIy btrlc-
turo tlreatsno IN season to prevent their lostruc-
tion: YlH work has boon rendered co1npara-
lively caHy owing to tho large eieagings around
nle farm buildings which tla occupants, by past
experiences, have been taught TO lcaye. Tie fire
began on Friday, tho 2oth lust, aud hau burnoa
with moro or less energy since. Tho heavy domA
hayo had the effect to leaden the flames at night,
and each morning has brought withit encourage
mont to tho nien that thoir work was nearly
endedY But as tho day advanced the wind would
With tho occasion. Ilore Las been from the
first but little gained by starting back fires, md
the various ~ Mganga hayo loarnel wisdom by OK
porienco. They now con1lne thoir energies to
| narrowing tho area of fro by operations on its
ilnnks, and thoy hope soon to roduce it's path Of
four milca to leaa, aud, If posuible cAango iss
coarse to tho more awampy districts. Noarly
ooSsa tnSaaf 5v se e oa 50 oaouy 81 WHOM %.rs, are
Company, from along the lines Of III road,
have boou engxged In the work ut various points
for week, aud the force IL daily augmented.
Last night new lire started about two milca
aouth Of the point Of origin Of tho great lire at
fremont, a1la made rapid progress in Il south
! oasterly direction. The gang onGagel in that
| vicinity have boon drawn away to otl.er points
| where danger threatened. An additional forco
waA put upon it from the Cnno diyiB'on, and tho
prospect Ibis evening IL thai lie lire will aoo1l
be got undor, aa 1t III in low laud, covered only
by studded growth.
| Tho area burned ovor extends from Tromont
! to Plymouth South Pond In one direction, and to
Herring liivor, within mile or two OF Nartl
Sandwich, in another, having passed
aoro8s tho northeastern portion of Carver,
Destroying inalnonso 4llAntltioH Of standing
and cut wood III tn track. Not loss tlan sixty
nquaro n.ilos OF territory are laid bare, and
thousands Of cords Of wood destroyed. At
timou tho burning n.aBs has presented q front
OF eight miles, at others 1t was reduced to two
milos thou slight yoering OF the wind has
caused It to spread beyond MI human power to
oppose 1t successfully. Nothing but raiu, mud
tAlt Of tw6nty-four louls continuance al lcast,
will beryo to proyout the fA1ncu from doyaatat-
luz tho ontira wooded portion Of tho Cape 10
tho HhoreH Of tho }ay.
Tho oitizenB, as nlAy be oxpootodt aro greatly
alarmed. livery m0ana at command ia employed
to quench tho ilanos, but nothing will be Of
footual until thero arc coplolls rains, prayers
Tor which from uoayen.wlll DO offered III tho m
riouH churches tomorrow.