The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-18
Wild Scene at a Church Dedication

huIllOTS were CuITcII OIl tue slTtciS tuut
large wood fire in Upper Bern township
had destroyed barns and burned many
horses and cattle recently. Subsequently
it was learned from people who were in at
tendance that the W DDS near the new st.
Michael's church in that township were ac-
cidentaly set on fire during the dedicatory
services in the afternoon, and that num-
Der 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. Schpck, the Eagle CORES
I.ondent at Hamburg, was present ut the
fire. He writes that the consternr ion and
the scene that ensued were terrible beyond
description. 1t was about 9 o'clock in the
afternoon and the church was packed.
Rev. T. c. Leinba il, of Womeisdorf, was
reading a scriptural lesson, when, of u sud-
den, 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 horses and carriages there
in were in danger of being burned up. Mr..
Zweizig Immediately announced it, and a
get out, and when the congregation reach
ed the burning woods the flames shot up,
and many horses were literally surround
ed by fire, the flames shooting up fully
twelve feet. The people at once set to
work to cxtinguish it. The scene was
terrible to behold.
Horses neighed and whinned in their
agony; people screamed, men rushed back
ward and forward, excited and anxious to
render assistance brave men rushed
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 vigorously to beat out
the fire; women screamed and stood in ter
ror, viewing scene that few people are
ever called upon to witness, and above
the noise and din of everything could be
heard the dying shrieks and groaHs of the
poor horses and the pristol 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 those that were present were of the
same opinion. All was hurry and excite
ment. 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
determined men spared the community
from any further calamity. 1t was a
terrible 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
gentleman who was lighting his cigar.
A lighted match fell from his hands.
During the excitement a gentleman named
Luckenbill, who was cutting the horses
loose in the woods, accidentally inflicted
serious wound in his cheek, which was
dressed by DIR. Potteiger of Hamburg
RedCtin1 El1Le