Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-09-20
FIENDISH FOREST FIRES,

TnRRR HUNDRED LIVES DESTROYED
RAvAaEs or TnI fLAMIs ~ MICHIGAN
ROASTED To-DEATu--TnRiLLlSG sTo-
RIEs OF EyI-wITNEssEs.
DETROIT, Mich, Sept. 0.--Dctails con-
tinue to come In relative 10 the dostrilC-
tion by forest fires. Huron and Sanlac
counties have been the principal theatre
of the greatest destruction and suffering.
An cyc-witncss states that darkness and
coppcr-c0lorcd sky preceded the mp
proaUh of the fire. Later the sky Clmng-
cd to Il deep red, aud Monday afternoon
II became 80 dark that lanterns were nee
essary for people 10 flnd their way. This
condition of affairs continued until about
eight o'clock "Wednesday morning, when
the wind shifted from West to North,
cooling the air and bringing slight re-.
lief. In the woods were many scOrcllod
and charred bodies, which presented o
revolving appearance. The high winds
that prevailed cut of nearly every ave-
nuc of escape aud large burning masses
would bc lifted up bodily and borne
along for great distance. In many
instances these burning masses started
fires IN fresh places. The skill and coIr-
nge Of man seemed impotcnt to combat
with such flames aud the flying people
were caught IN tho flro-traps aud roasted.
One farmer who was ploughlng with his
oxen few miles from Sand Beach per-
ccivcd the approaching darkness ANA
started for his house. On reaching home
he found TINT his wife had gone TO u
nclghbor's. lie then took two of his
children, hls0ldost daughter taking three
others. Before going many rods they
found themselves cut on by the llnmes.
The farmer then turned IN another Ill
rectIon aud escaped with the two chill
drcn. Ills daughter and the other three
children were found next day, all IN n
hcap. charrcd beyond recognition, UP
10 "Wednesday night forty-flvc bodies
had been found within mile. In Paris
townshlp many are missing, most OF
thcm Poles. The whole settlement
buildings, fences, crops, etc. was swept
clean. In Delaware township nll Of the
country South of Forrcslvlllc from The
lake, seven miles back, there IA hardly
ANYTHING lcft--not one house to the
aoi,nrc mile. They were new settlers
and had small clcnrlngs, nnd the IRE
awopt thom like hurricane. They lost
nll they had aud owe for their places
Mnny Of them fled to the lake.
The shore line has been crowded WIN
human beings. cattle and everything
TINT could got 10 the water. Eyc-wlt-
ncsscs from ForrctsyIllc say that the ut.
moat confusion prevails Many could
not see. one man, who had lost his nll,
wna both blind aud crazy an1 had to bo
led 10 the lake.
MADE nLiND ny rilE rLAMEs,
North Of snnlnc the fire on Monday
nicht was terrible, sweeping almost ev-
orytllng, but II seemed 10 leave tile
houses. The people did not know any
tlrr wns near them until II was on them
nnd had TO run for the lake, aud IL being
but short distance away all rcncllcd II
safely, John Kerr nild family were
nslern when their building caught fire
and 4 ncighbor seeing II ran aud awoke
them, and they succeeded Ia saving the
house, but lost everything else. Mrs.
n. burgess got separated from her llls-
hand aud laid nll night IN ditch. An
other person laid down In q mud puddle