The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-09-15

Death and destitution are rampant in Michi-
gan The details Of devastation by forest
fires in that State arc sickening. Such wide
spread ruin was, perhaps, never before Wit
messed in this or any other country. As near
as can be ascertained, in Sanilac Comfy alone
FIVE hundred PERSONS have been burned to
death, and at least ten times that number rem
dered homeless.
In Custer Township twenty corpses were
found close to each other. In many cases
whole families have perished, while those who
are saved have lost their homes and property.
In the village of Minden but one house WAS
left standing. The towns destroyed in Sanilac
County are Forestville, Moore, Argyle, Custer,
Watertown, Richmondville, Carson, Char
lesion, Tyre and Ashley.
In Huron County the villages Of IBad Ak,
Verona, Forest Bay, and Huron City ars
nothing but ashes.
The fires began on the 9Th, and progressed
with such fierceness that the roar Of the flames
could be heard for miles.
Paris, town of nearly 2, 900 people, is almost
entirely destroyed. A survivor from that place
says the fire came upon them as suddenly as
thunderstorm in midsummer. The sky assumed
q fiery hue and at o'clock in the afternoon
the heavens appeared to be mass of fi1e.
The air became hot and sitting, and the wind
commenced blowing gale and then it began to
grow dark and in thirty minutes night seemed
to have cast its mantel over the unhappy citi-
zens of Paris. Then come the thunder OF the
roaring flames and the believing Of the wind,
| and the scene became terrific beyond descrip-
ton. On came the flames, sweeping everything
| in its course, passing two miles northwest OF
Sand Beach and stopping when the shores OF
| Lake Huron were reached, three miles from
| Paris. This town was destroyed in 1871. The
present disaster is largely due to the great fire
| of ten years ago, as the timber killed then has
fallen down and been drying until it had be-
come Just like tinder.s
| The loss of property can not Re estimated.
In the Saginaw Valley thousands of dollars
worth Of property has been destroyed, but
there the loss of life is comparatively small.
In some districts in Tuscalo County, every
thing is swept clean-not q vestige OF property
| ia left. and it is feared there has been great
| loss of life.
East of Cass City, tract eight miles square
has been laid waste. The country around
Marlette is blackened as far as the eye cal
reach. Seventeen lives were lost in this sec
ton, and thousands are homeless and friend
less.
|
ern. Forester and Marion Townships, reliable
information says that upward Of three hundred
persons persisted in the flames. There was ne
escape for them. The woods and grounds were
90 dry that no warning of danger was given
Faster than . race-horse came the fire. i
would embrace house or barn with its con.
tents. and away to the next. Persons who
have been through the terrible ordeal say tina
| tba Arc afr
there would be no vestige of the house left.
In many instances men, women and children
are found lying on their faces in the road
dead, their position indicating their effort Il
escape the horrible fate which overlook them
A correspondent says: " believe when tn
details are all in LOCO persons will be found L
have persisted in the fames.'
In Huron County Rev. w. T. Arlington says
he found sixteen dead bodies in one place. II
Paris Township John Flytewater's family
seven children and wife, were all burned, will
ford, ' ife and child. Men women and children
are lying dead on the road between Donner'
Mill and Tyre. Fifteen families wero burned il
Moore and Argyle. Five hundred families a
Min len we're burned out.
A correspondent at Port Sanilac says
"Forest fires have destroyed both propert.
and life. Port Hope and Huron City, Hurol
County, are totally DESTROYED, the inhabitant
leaving everything and neeing 70 Inc lax
for their lives, leaving their property to b
consumed Many were burned to dealt
while trying to escape the fires. 1t is state
by good authority that one hundred Q
more people persisted in the flames j
the vicinity Of Port Hope and in Huro
City. Verona Mills. Charleston, an
Bad Az are all lying in ashes. Reports ar
coming in every hour about persons bein
found dead. Richmondville, seven mile
north of this place, was all swept away. L
Forestertown two bodies were identified a
those of Abel Thornton and wife. Christ
Thornton, John Mahall, Sarah varkey, an
q boy, name unknown, were burned to death
Several more are reported lost.
The people of Michigan have issued o
appeal to the people of the United States fo
aid. 1t states that q, 900 people, mostly recen
settlers, and poor ut best, are rendered home
less and psnniless. The names Of over 20
] dead are recorded, and the country is strew
with dead Of whom there is yet no accoun
Ruin is on every hand, and this callfoY aid,
Is to be hoped, will be promptly and LIBERAL
responded 70.