Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-10

DETROIT, MICH September "Details
continue TO come in relative to the de-
struction by the forest fires. Huron and
Sanilac counties have been the theatres of
the greatest destruction and suffering. An
eye witness states that darkness and a cop
per -colored sky preceded the approach Of
the fire. Later the sky changed to deep
red, and Monday afternoon it became so
dark that lanterns were necessary
for the people to find their way.
This condition of affairs continued
until about o'clock Wednesday morning,
when the wind shifted from west to north,
cooling the air and bringing slight relief
10 the woods were many scorched and
charred bodies, which presented revolving
appearance. The high winds that prevail
ed cut Ctf nearly every avenue of escape,
and large burning masses would be lifted
bodily and borne along for great distance
In many instances these burning masses
started fires in fresh places. The skill ard
courage Of man seemed impotent to COM
bat with such flames, and the flying people
were caught In fire traps and roasted.
One farmer. who was plowing with his
oxen few miles from a sand beach, per
ceived the approaching Of the darkness and
started for his house. On reaching home be
found that his wife had gone to a neigh
boris. He then took two of his children,
his eldest daughter taking three others.
Before going many rods they found them
selves cut off by the flames. The farmer
then turned In another direction and es-
capped with two children. His daughter and
the other three children were found the
next day, all In heap, charred beyond
recognition.
Up to Wednesday night fortY-five bodies
had been found within a mile in Paris
township. Many are missing, most Of them
Poles. A whole settlement, buildings,
fences, shops, etc, were swept clean. Ia
Delaware township, All county, there
is hardly anything left, not one house to
the square mile. They were new settlers,
and had small clearings, and the fire
swept them like hurricane. They lost all
they had. Many of them fed to the lake
shore. The shore has been crowded with
human beings, cattle, and everything that
could get to the water Eye witnesses
from FOrestyille say that the utmost confu-
sion prevails. Many could not see. One
man, who had lost his all, was both blind
and crazy, and bad to be led to the lake.
North of Sanilac the fire on Monday night
was Terrible, sweeping away almost every
thing.
North of Sanilac the fire on Monday night
was terrible, sweeping away almost every
thing, but it seemed to leave the houses.
The people here did not know any fire was
near them until it was on them and then
had to run for the lake, and it being but
short distance away, all reached it safely.
A large party OF men have gone to bury
the dead beasts. In Forester township many
are so blind they had to be led,
and many are without food. A number of
parties have already gone with food, cloth
ing, shoes and medicines. More help must
come quick, as much suffering win ensue.
They have no -four or provisions. George
Ferguson, of White Rock, who has been
on the road since Monday, reports that he
has seen 1l6 burned bodies. At one place
he saw four wagons bearing eight coffins,
with one man walking behind all alone.
1t was his family.
CINCINNATI, September 9.-The Chamber
of Commerce has ordered the appointment
OF a committee to solicit aid for the suffer-
ers from the forest fires in Michigan.