New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-10

Morehonse formerly of East Saginaw and now of
New-York; Horace Winaus, formerly of Coldwater,
now of New-York j. S. Mcdonald, of Ncw-York;
Judge Birney, of Bay City, United States
Minister at The Hague j. A. Davidson. of Port hn.
ron l.. d. Wilson, formerly of Lexington, now OF
New-York; DR.. II. j. Ewing, formerly OF Dex en-
now of New-York. Mr.. Harrington. vice-president
of the Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange Oh
Detroit, was made temporary chairman, ana u H.
Meisol temporary secretary. Charles +. Crosoy'
formerly of Detroit and now OF New-fork, was
made permanent president of the Michigan hehe1
Commission. j. s. Mcdonald was made permanent
SECRETARY. and William Dowd formerly of Ann Ar
bor and now president of the Bank Of North Amer
lea. treasurer A committee. consisting of Ii. L..
Biorehouse Edward Hill and Horace Winans, was
appointed 10 draw up appeal to the people of
New-York and its vicinity.
The appeal reads as follows:
An appalling calamity has befallen Michigan. Furious
forest fires have devastated the settlements in the
Northeastern part Of the state sweeping the homes
fmated that about ve hundred persons have persisted
In the cOnhagration The survivors are destitute Of
winter Money the great want-money where with 70
buy the necessares of fe aud clothing, dry goods bed
York and its vicinity respond with least $4,000
Sy bSw OF e sm M 9
No Al Wast has been designated treasurer him
supplies viii be made under direction OF the oc
OF the Relief Commission. who will cooperate with COM
Michigan associated with others in the stricken districts
PROMPT and generous action for the relief of these suf
ferng thousands is the call of the hour.
1t decided that it should be left TO the presi-
dent and secretary of the Relief Commission to APP
point committee to see business men and others
In this city. and solicit subscriptions. The follow
ing men and business firms (others will be added at
once, were appointed yesterday on the suggestion
of those present: E. 5. Jaffray & Co (who sent in
$3.50, the first contribu ion to the relief fund.-,
X. and T. Il. Thurber Il Co.. Bates Red & Cooley,
Hemp HUI Co. Austin, Nichols & Co., c; H.
Irowbridge 4 Co., A; J. D.; Widemeyer & Co.,
William Dowd and G. h. Duncks
Judge Birney and B. +. Harrington, who have
recently come from the towns the devasted
districts, describe the fires burning much
more terrible and spread wider than were
those of 1871. The published accounts, they say,
give only the faintest idea of the real extent of the
calamity. the loss of life and property and the su-
fering of the people, and i'll their opinion unless
thick settled districts will be in great danger
The fires are not In the pine lands at present but
In the counties covered with oak beech and maple
south of the pine. The forests, under brush and
miles OF Bay City, and area of from
5000 to 10000 square miles, or tract
nearly as large as the state of Vermont They are
rapidly extending to the adjoining counties The
IRE devonrs everything In its path, and where
houses and barns are surrounded by large cleared
spaces of poughed ground, the heat engendered
intense as to consume them. with all their contents
In an Incredibly short space of time. AS long ago
as last Sunday ii was necessary to keep lights
burning i'll the houses in Bay City and Saginaw
In the day time, owing to the smoke, and naviga-
uon was very difficult in Saginaw Bay account
OF the dense smoke.
K. C.. Villas, general freight agent of the New
York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Company an
4ounces that that company is prepared to transport
Michigan, any articles which may be given for the
relief OF the sufferers by the forest fires