The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-06-17
Freaks of the Fire "reminiscences at
Church Dedication.

The Reading penn Eagle of May II
has the following:
RumOrs were current on the streets last
evening that large woods fire in Upper
Bern Township had destroyed barns and
burned many horses and cattle yesterday.
Subsequently it was learned from people
who were in attendance that the woods
near the new st. Michael's Church in that
| township were accdently set on fire dur
ing the dedicatory services in the after
noon, and that a number of horses and
carriages were burned. These conveyed
people to the church, and were tied up at
a railing near the woods and through the
woods.
Mr. Oliver d. Schock, the Eagle CORES
pendent at Hamburg, was present at the
fire. He writes that the CONSERVATION and
the scene that ensued were terrible beyond
description. 1t was about O'Clock in the
afternoon and the church was packed.
Rev. L. C.. Leinbach, of WomeisdOrf, was
reading ,ScTiptural lesson, when, of a
sudden. the terrible cry of fire was raised.
One of the members rushed rapidly for
ward to Rev. Mr.. Zweizig in the pulpit,
and informed him that the dry trees and
leaves of the adjoining grove were on fire,
and that all the carriages therein were in
danger OF being burned up. Mr.. ZweiZig
Immediately announced il, and a wild
panic ensaed. Every body rushed to get
out, and when the congregation reached
the burning woods the flames shot up,
and many of the poor horses were
literally surrounded by fire, the
flames shooting up fully twelve
feet. The people at once set to work
to extinguish it. The scene was terrible
to behold. Horses nei9hed and whin-
MED in their agony; people screamed !;
men rushed backward and for
ward, excited and anxious to
render assistance; brave men rush
ed through the flames and cut the
halter-strapS of the tied-up horses the
animals then finding themselves lOOSened,
ran away. dashing the carriages against
the burning trees; men, with rakes and
clubs and other articles, set to work Wig
OrOusly to beat out the fire; women
screamed and stood in terror, viewing 4
scene that few people are ever called upon
TO witness, and above Il noise and din of
every thing could be heard the dying
shrieks and grOans OF. the poor horses and
the pistol shots sending bullets through
the heads of the animals to kill those that
were burned almost to death. [ shall
never forget the sickening sight, and
JlOSt THAI NCIC plCeChL NClC vi IiIC oliuC
opinion. All was hurry and excitement.
A high wind prevailed, and heavy sparks
descended hundreds of yards away. AT
one time fears were entertained that the
church would be swept away in the fiery
element, but the work of brave and de-
termined men spared the community
from any further calamity. 1t was ter
rible day for Upper Bern, and | saw men
stand in tears viewing the suffering of the
dying horses as the flesh quivered with
pain. The scene that followed is beyond
description. After the excitement was
partially subdued, | learned that the
woods had been accidentally set on fire by
agentleman who was lighting his cigar. A
lighted match fell from his hands. Dur
ing the excitement gentlemen named
Luckenbill, who was cutting the horses
loose in the woods, accidentally inflicted
a serious wound in his cheek, which was
dressed by DR.. Potteiger, of Hamburg.