Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-08-07
SWEEPING FORES r FIRES.
Towns and Villages DeyOured by
Elames-AeEefal LtYea Lost.

GREEN BAY, WIS, August 6.-For many
country has been subject to severe drouth,
which has caused much apprehension In the
minds OF residents, as forest and D. airie fires
have prevailed almost incessantly; These
con flag aIions, which have destroyed a great
deal OF valuable timber, reached their height
yesterday in a whirlwlnd of flame q few
M les east of this place. The result is the
with farming community, was anly
swept by the destructive element, which
consumed all its houses, outbuildinzs, fence.
and timber. In the vicinity of Woodruff
Mills during the past two weeks the forests
have been burning with great severity
threatening the adjoining settlements. On
Saturday night last small hurricane urged
on the flames with lightning-like rapidly,
and the brands from the fiery stretches were
sown broadcast by the sweeping winds.
When Sunday morning came there was no
abatement OF the flames, but the wind had
however, moderated down comewhat. III
Was then thought that the worst was over,
and nearly In II not quite all the farmers in
the township left their homes to pursue their
avocation In the fields, leaving, as was
natural, their wives and families at home.
RENEWED TERRoRS.
the women were Obliged TO turn to and do
their utmost TO fight of the unwelcome Wis
itOr, which was then upon them i'm all its
fury. But no matter how vigorously they
labOred, their Efforts were unavailing. The
fire fend bafiied them at every point which
they attempted TO guard. Driven from one
point 10 another, they were compelled TO
seek new places OF safety, with their chill
dren, as the flames swept onward, licking
up everything In their course.
THE VILLAGE BLoTTED OUT.
Where In the morning there was a thriving
town, before many hours had pass cd there
we've no more than three houses left standing
10 mark the village SITE Nothing was saved
so far as TO household possessions, the wo-
men and children barely escaping with their
lives ard the clothes they wore. In many
instances these were SO burned and torn a.
to be OF comparatively little service in the
matter OF protection. One of the citizens OF
the destroyed town, q man named Henry
Seifert, came 10 Green Bay to-day. Thee
was, he says, ploughed field near his resi-
dence, and there, while the flames were ac-
complaining their fell work yesterday, fully
thirty families copgregated TO escape the
ravages OF the fierce flames. Not one but
had TO relate that everything they had on
earth had been swept away, and they LEFT
homeless aud penniless.
LIVES LOST.
II 10 reported very Enthusiastically that
Two entire families were destroyed by the
hre and three Others are missing Nothing
has been heard as TO their whereabouts, ana
4 is feared that they. too, have been CON-
sumed There was n settlement of seven
teen houses in what Is known as BenJamin's
and there Is not one Of them left. Every one
was C. nsumed. Not a fence In the entire
town'hip Is LEFT. In every direction hum
dreds OF dead animals, such as cows, pigs
and sheep, lie scattered, adding greatly 70
The no rrors OF the desolate scene.