The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-07
Terrible Devastation in Northeast
ern Wisconsin.
SWEEPING FOREST FIRES.
Whole Towns and Villages Utterly
DevOured by the Flames.


country has been subjected to severe drouth, which
has caused much apprehension in the minds OF
residents as forest and prairie fires have prevailed
almost necessarily
These connagraions which have destroyed u
great deal OF valuable timber, reached their height
yesterday In whrlwnd Of name few miles east
Of this place.
The result is the township OF Eaton, which Is
thickly settled with a farming community, was
Clearly swept by the destructive element, which
consumed all its houses, outbuidings, fences and
timber
In the vicinity OF Woodruff Mills during the past
two weeks the forests have been burning with
great severity, threatening the adjoining settle.
menta
On Saturday night last small hurricane urged
on the flames with lightningike rapidity, and the
brands from the fiery stretches were sown broad
cast by the sweeping Winds
FALSE SECURITY
When Sunday morning came there was no abate-
ment OF the flames, but the wind had however,
moderated down somewhat 1t was then thought
that the worst was over ana the fears OF the PEG.
pie In the vicinity were considerably quieted down
by what they felt assured was favorable turn of
aialrs.
With this feeling the greater portion, in fact
nearly II not quite all the farmers in the town.
ship lett their homes to pursue their avocation In
the fields, leaving as natural, their wives and
families at home.
RENEWED TERRORs.
The flames sprung up again, however, and the
women were obliged to turn to and do their ut
most to fight or the unwelcome visitor, which was
then upon them in all It's fury
But no matter how vigorously they lahored
their efforts were unavailing The fire nend
bafiied them at every point which they at
tempted to guard Driven from one
point to another they were compelled to
seek new places OF safety with their children, as
the flames swept onward licking up everything in
their course.
THE VILLAGE BLOTTED OUT.
Where in the morning there was thriving town
before many hours has passed there were no more
than three houses left standing to mark the
village site. Nothing was saved SO far as
to household possessions; the women and children
barely escaping with their lives and the clothes
they wore. In many instances these were so
burned and torn as to be OF comparatively little
service in the matter OF protection.
HOMELESS VICTIMS.
One of the citizens OF the destroyed town, q
man named Henry Seilert, came to Green
Bay to-day. From him the particulars are
Cleaned SO far US they are at hand.
Strange as 1t may seem, his house miraculously
escaped destruction, while everything sourround-
ing it-ience, barns, &c-were liked up by the fire.
lie reports that his house Is occupied by many OF
the houselcss and injured people, while others were
without place to lay their heads. There was, he
says, ploughed field near his residence, and there
while the flames were accomplishing their fell
escape the ravages OF the fierce flames.
These people were from all portions of the
desolatcd township, and their story as to the
connagration was the same. Not one but had to
swept away and they lett homeless and pcnncss
LIVES LOST.
II is reported very circumst antialy that two en-
tire families destroyed by the fire, and three
their whereabouts, and it is feared that they, too,
have been consumed.
There was settlement Of seventeen houses in
what is known as Benamin's aud there is not one
in the entire township is left
CrrTLE DYING AND DEAD.
All the cattle, thus freed from their confines, arc
roaming across the fields wild with terror and
woods near at hand, and which are still burning.
In every direction hundreds OF dead animals, such
ns cows, pigs and sheep, lie scattered, adding
greatly 20 the horrors OF the dcsolatc scene.
Mr. siefcrt says the standing grain was not scri.
pusly injured.
MEASURES FOR RELIEF.
Large PARTIES of men IRON this city have gone to
tnc place, and as soon they can return some.
Thing VII be done to relieve the suiYerngs of the
lrckcD people
Fox ~, present those who were burned out have
UccA aliorded shelter in the County Poorhousc and
Will remain there until some further measures can
DC raken for their relief. The people who
pagsei through this terrible ordeal OF flame have
many tores to tell concerning it, and relate that
u was one Of the most appalling CONGREGATIONS
tles ever behold.
OTHER FIRES
FLAMES IN CEDAR FOREST.