Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-09-17
SHOCKING DETAILS OF THE
MICHIGAN FOREST FERES.


property by the prairie.and FORE:
fires in northern Michigan are full
confirmed by late reports. Milk
of country have been laid waste
and not only the loss Of crops an
other property has been very greai
but the stock in the fields have su
fered frightfully and many huma
lives have been lost
DETROIT, Mich, Sept. 9.-Detail
continue to come in relative to tn
destruction by the forest fires of Hu
ron and Sanilac counties, principa
theater of the greatest destruction
and suffering. Aneye-WitneSs state
that preceding the approach of th'
fire was the darkness and coppel
J colored appearance Of the sky. La
| ter it changed to a deep red, and by
the middle of the afternoon it be
came SO dark that lanterns were
necessary in order that people might
find their way out of doors. Thfs
about s o'clock Wednesday morn
ing, when the wind Shifted from
west to north, which cooled the air,
and brought slight relief. In the
| woods were many dead of every
age, presenting the revolving ap-
pearance of bodies which are scorch-
ed and charred by fire. The high
winds that prevailed cut off nearly
every avenue of escape, and the
large burning masses would be bod
lily lifted up and borne great distan-
ces, and in many instances started
fires in fresh places.
The skill and courage of man
seemed impotent to combat such
flames. and the fleeing people caught
in the fire-trap were roasted, as were
their live stock. One farmer, who
was plowing with his oxen few
miles from Sand Beach, perceived
the approaching darkness, started
for his house, and, reaching there,
he found that his wife had gone to
neighbors. He took two children
and gave three others in charge of
his oldest daughter. Before travel
ing many rods they found them
selves cut off by the flames. He
turned in another direction and es-
capped with two children. The three
children and daughter were found
next day, all in heap, charred be-
yOnd recognition. Up to Wednes-
day night forty-ive bodies had been
found within mile of the township
of Paris. Many more are missing.
The whole settlements swept clean
of buildings, crops and fences. In
Delaware township, all the country
south of Forestside, from the lake
seven miles back, there is hardly
anything left-not one house to the
square mile. They were new set
tiers and had small clearingS, and
the fire swept them like hurricane.
They lose all they had and owe for
their place. Many of them fled TO
the lake. The shore line has been
crowded with human beings, cattle
and everything that could get to
water. Eyewitness from Forrest
vile say that the utmost confusion
prevailed. Many couldn't see. One
man who had lost his all was both
blind and crazy and had to be led |
to the lake. North of Sanilac the
fire on Monday night was terrible,
sweeping almost everything, but |
seemed TO leave the houses. The
people here did not know any fire |
was near them until it was on them,
and all had to run for the lake, and,
being but short distance, all reach
ed it safely. One woman, while
they were running for their lives,
saw her oxen run into the slashing,
and, in spite of the efforts and cries
Of others, rushed into it and sue
oeeded in driving them out before
her and to the lake. John Kerr
and family were asleep when their
building caught fire, and neighbor
seeing it ran and woke them, and
hey succeeded in saving their lives
put lost everything else.
Mrs N. Burgess got separated
rom her husband and laid all night
n ditch. Another person laid
n mud puddle and rolled over
md over all night. A large party
If men have gone to bury the dead
beasts in Forester township. DIR.
HOyt, who returned after more
reported several badly
burned, many so blind that they
lad to be led, and many without
ood. Numbers of parties have al
eady gone with food, clothing,
hoes and medicine, and more help
must come, as much suffering will
,nsue. They have nu flour or pro-
,isions. George Furgason, of White
Rock, who has been on the road
ince Monday night, reports that
le has seen 116 burned bodies at
me place; saw four wagons bear /
ng eight cOffins, one man walking !
behind alone-it was his family.
He also saw another man following
hree cofins. if45tif
Detroit, Sept. 9.-The point has {
low been reached Wheresit may be s
hoped that we shall {
lear of no more fresh disasters to I
he people of the burned districts. ,
Rains have fallen probably suffi- S
lent to quench the fires, but not |
nough to soaksthe ground and re-
lew the dropping vegetation. 1t is ]
that more than 215fami- {
les were burned out in the towns s
f Manlette, Flynn, Argyle, Ever :
reen, Moore, SOwall and ElWer, s
nd that thirty-two persons are /
.nt'wn to be dead. Men who trav- f
led yesterday report the 2 fires t
nostly out, and the inhabitants
itting about the ashes of their /
urned houses. Many are burned /
nd otherwise injured. They are
and. almost bereft of o
heir senses. Provisions, cloth
lg, bedding and other necessities
re being constantly forwarded, b
nd men are travelling Throughout
ne burnt sections distributing sup C
lies, and taking the names of f
nose who are in need. Many
ersons are still missing in the
urned district andgthe exaet loss q
annot be known for. some days. r
ixty-five buFials have i already
cen reported in six towns, and it
said that 27 dead bodies have n
cen found in the country between tc
ad Axe and Port Hope. Trains
re now running regularly to Sand n
each and Manlette. The older s.
,ttIed towns have suffered no a
,sses to speak of, but it will fall on
ne poor class of people that are v
Ist starting in newer towns. A 8
pod deal of suffering is also reported
ON the back part of Tucalo coun- 81
2, where as near as can be ascertain
some scores of families been COM 81
Ietely burned out, and it is feared =
,af fboro sbaS hQpD 90nn lOSS of | N