The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-09-16

bsr. Property OF all kinds is destroyed
and to estimate Its value would be but
to make wild guess at an unknown
quantity, running far into the mil.
lions.
During a part Of the time occupied
by the condagratiori navigation was
impeded, the dense smoke overhanging
the lakes and obscuring the view to
such degree that vessels sailed only
by lights. D ad birds and fish were
hoating on every hand. On the shores
in many places the fire reached the
waters edge, burning the docks and
the shipping was forced to push out
into the lake for safety. In
the interior the saved portions
Of partially burned villages were
crowded with refugees. At Bad Axe
$50 sought refuge in the Court House.
Universal destruction was everywhere
evident, and multitudes of homeless
ones, hungry and half clothed sought
shelter or escape as best they might.
During the progress of the conaagra-
ton the people sought shelter in wells
and caves, often to meet death by suf-
location.
The people of whole counties are
destitute and homeless and prompt
measures must be taken for their re.
lief. At Port Huron an efficient or
ganization has been effected and have
issued the following
APPEAL.
To the People Of the United States.
A most appalling disaster has fallen
upon alarge portion of tue counties of
Huron and Sanilac, Mich, with some
adjacent territory, a section of country
recently covered with forests and oc-
cupied by nearly $4,000 people, largely
recent settlers and either poor or in
very moderate circumstances. In the
whole of this section there has been
but little rain during the past two
months and everything was parched
and dry, when on Monday, September
5, hurricane swept over it, carrying
with it sheet of flame that hardly
anything could Withstand.
We have reports already Of over 100
persons burned to death, many of them
by the roadside or in the fields while
seeking places Of safety, and it is prob
able that twice this number have per-
ished. We also have reports from
twenty or more townships in which
scarcely house, barn or supplies Of
any kind are left and thousands Of
people are destitute and helpless. All
Of these people require immedi-
ate assistance anfi most of them
must depend on on charity for
months to come. We are doing
all in our power to succor them, but
the necessities Of the case are so great
that the contributions of the charitable
throughout the country will be re-
quired to help them through the winter.
We therefore appeal to you to send
money, clothing, bedding, provisions or
any other supplies that will help main
tain the sufferers and enable them to
provide shelter for themselves and be-
gin work on their farms.
Contributions may be sent to the
chairman, secretary or the treasurer
of the relief committee appointed by
the citizens of Port Huron, whose
names are signed here, who have sent
agents through the burned districts to
ascertain the wants Of the sufferers
and distribute supplies.
(Signed) &c CARLETON,
Mayor OF Port Huron, Chairman;
NJ. II. ALLARDT,
SecretaIy;
II. G. BARNUM,
Cashier First National INK, Treasurer;
OMAR D. CONGER,
WIN. L. BANCROFf,
WIN. JENKINSON,
HENRY HOWARD,
JANE5 MOFFAT.
JOHN CHAMBERS,
Central Relief Committee.
Port Huron, September 8, 1881.
At Detroit Mayor Thompson Is at
the head of a strong committee who
have already raised over $4,000. At
New York city the good work is al
ready well advanced. In many places
in our state and throughout the cOun-
try active measures have been taken
to secure and forward the necessary
supplies and money. A generous re-
sponse should and will promptly meet
this most urgent call, and out of the
desolation we are confident that with
the help that will cheerfully be given
our stricken people will arise like
Phoenix from its ashes.