The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-06
The DrOuth and Fires.

The DrOuth and Fires.
Perhaps in no one season since
the settlement of the country, have
such extensive and destructive con-
iagrations prevailed in the rural
districts as have occurred this Fall
in this State, Indiana and Kentucky.
An unusual drouth, which dried up
the smaller streams, and much of
the marsh-land, and which continu-
ued during the falling of the leaves,
left the surface of the densely wood
ed portions of the country, in such
a condition that when once a fire
was started in any one part, the ar
rest of the flames became a matter
beyond the power of human exer-
tions. To these wide extents of
thoroughly dried combustible mat
ter fire has been communicated in va
rious ways-by sparks from locomo-
tives, by wads from the guns of
sportsmen, through carelessness in
burning logs, and by the hands of
dastardly evil-doers. So dense was
the smoke which arose from these
forest-fres that for days it was i'm
. possible to distinguish any object at
a distance exceeding three hundred
yards-even in localities far remov-
ed from the scenes of fire. The
destruction of property occasioned
by them has been very great, and
includes many dwellings and barns,
and much hay, corn, straw, etc.
The following kilograms from diff
ferent places, will give some idea of
the extent of the damage done:
LANCASTER, O., November 2.-The
pine hills in the southern part of this
county are on fire. The smoke settled
down over the city this afternoon, totally
obscuring the sun and causing the light
ing of gas essential.
CHILLIcoTHE, O., November 2.-The
destructive fires in the southwestern part
of the county have entailed an immense
amount of suffering and loss of proper
ty. The smaller class of farmers who
resided in the path of its progress are
left utterly destitute, and a meeting is to
be held at Cambridge to organize meas
ures for their relief.
PoMERoY, O., November 2.-Fires
are reported in the woods in Columbia,
Rutland, Salisbury and Sutton Town
ships of this comfy. A great deal of
damage is being done to fences and corn
in the shock, and one or two dwellings
are reported to be burned.
GALLIPoLrs, o., November 2.-The
woods near Porter, in this county, ten
miles from this place, have been on fire
for three days, and have required the
incessant exertions of all the men in
that place to prevent the flames commu-
nicating to the town.
UNION CITY, IND, November 2.-As
dry weather continues, fires increase in
this locality. The fire on j. Davis farm
was fearful on yesterday, spreading over
the woods and fields of Charles Negley
and Sol. Young, whose farms adjoin that
of Davis. Fighting the fire is the or
der of the day.
FORTRESS MONROE, November q
Rain has not fallen in the Lower Pen
insular counties for more than one
month, and vegetation is suffering. A
large ere is raging In the Great Dismal
Swamp.
WHEELING, w. VA, November q
Reports from the lines of the Pan Han
die and Chesapeake and Ohio Railroads
state that the forests are on fire at var
ious points between this city and Par
kersburg. Along the line of the river
the woods are also on fire at a number of
points. A dense smoke overhangs this
section of country.
NoRwALK, O., November 2-During
the present dry weather forest fires have
been, and are numerous, but thus far
10 great damage has been done. Cis-
terms, wells and pasturage are failing
rapidly.
CHILLICoTHE, O., November 1.-The
fire at Massieville has been checked, af-
ter having destroyed about five hundred
acres of timber, large amount of fenc-
ing, crops, &c. Accounts reach here of
large fire destroying the timber south
east of Adelphi.
IRoNToN, o., 1.-The charcoal in the
stock house Of the Vesuvius Furnace
took fire Friday, burning until mid
night, when the hands succeeded in
covering it up. Loss $4,000.
RUSSELL, KY, November This
morning two boys set fire to log to
smoke out skunk, and the fire spread
through the woods at the edge of town.
Citizens turned out and fought the fire
all the afternoon, and have stopped il at
the lower end of town, but il lie spread
ng in the woods above town. PARTIES