Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-05-13
Fire in the Woods.

Inc cOntlnueu dry season mas
made everything in the woods, and
ont too, in fact, like finder box.
We have had no rain for two
months, and the fires in clearings
where settlers were preparing for
spring crops, being famed 10y
high winds, would run many miles
among the dry leaves and brush in
the woods. The settlers in all di-
rections were compelled to turn out
and fight fire to save their dwell
ings, and it was only by the hardest
work that some of them were saw
ed.
On Saturday the fire was on all
sides of the city, and caused no lit
tie alarm. The Steamer was called
to Campbellville in the afternoon to
assist in saving the houses and
mills there, they being in much
danger. After everything was
thoroughly wet down, and the fire
had run through the woods and
brush around the Catholic GENET
cry, the engine was sent for to be
ready for action, in case of emer-
gency, in the vicinity of the Jail.
Although the fire ragged furiously
during most of the afternoon, no
buildings were burned in the city.
LONG RAPIDS.
Chester Deming, who was going
up the river last Saturday, Informs
us that the woods in this township
were all on fire, and that about ev-
ery.hing in reach of the flames,
soon became prey to the elements.
Two houses and two barnes, with
their entire contents, belonging to
VIM. Hawley, were consumed, and
the family barely escaped with
their lives. While Mrs. Hawley
was rescuing her babe, her dress
caught fire, and she was only saved
by tearing the garment from her
body. The children are all more or
less scorched. Mr.. Hawley's loss
is severe, as he lost o large amount
of supplies besides his buildings,
goods and farming equippage. The
people in the neighborhood moved
out to places of safety.
We also hear that the house of
Mr.. Powell was burned, and anoth-
er belonging to Silas Knowles,
both losing everything on their
farms that would burn.
John w. Hall, who has but lately
occupied his farm, had about $3.50
worth of lumber destroyed. A Mr..
Mellen also lost large lot of lum-
Der, as did also Dan. Mcdonald.
One singular freak of the fire
was that it jumped entirely over
the farm of Jas. A, Case, burning
everything on both sides, but touch
ing nothing on the premises.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP.
The fire ragged furiously in AL
pena township, and it was by the
almost superhuman exertions of
some of the settlers that they saw
ed their houses from total destruc-
ton. The fire swept from near the
residence of John Newton to Nine
Mile Point, devouring fences and
forest as it sped on. At the Point
the residents were in constant fear,
and worked hard, but lost no build
ings. A fish boat belonging to
VIM. Collins was burned to the
waters edge.
Mr.. Vessel, who lives about four
miles from this city, says that it
was only through the hardest of
work by himself and wife that saw
ed their house. They were busy
nearly all day carrying water and
drenching everything that could
burn, and at last Mr.. Vessel sent
his wife away to place of safety,
while he took his team and going
into the field laid down upon the
ground to escape the flames. After
the fiercest of the fire was over he
returned to the house, and renewed
his exertions to save it by again
applying water, and at last he was
successful, though very tired and
somewhat burned.
Thos. Fluaitt, who lives west Of
the city, taught fire good portion
of the day, and barely saved his
house from being consumed, but
his barn, farming tools, harness,
etc., were all burned.