The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-23


Sanilac county has received terrible set
back. Fully 800 farmers have beeu scorched
and scores are LETT in stables or sheds, without
q shilling in MONEY, stock, TOOLS furniture, or
any way to help themselves. L went out to-day
with the relief committee through the town.
ships of Sanilac, Washington, Custer, Elmer
and Bridghampton. Pork, tea, soap, tobacco,
crockery, clothing, etc., were distributed. We
found dozens OF men without cover for the
head or feet and children worse off. Relief wag-
ons, loaded with clothing, flour, meal, etc., are
now traverslng the burned region, affording
temporary relief, but only temporary. Many
of the victims are in debt for their farms, and
may be sold out before the snow flies. The
wheat and hay are all gone and most the live
stock burned, houses, barns and fences swept
away, and the relief must be solid. Lumber
must be shipped in here, as nearly all the mills
are gone. Seed wheat must be provided, or
none can be sown this fall. Cook
stoves and crockery are also badly needed. A
few OF the victims are badly discouraged, but
the majority are working amid the smoke and
fire, rebuilding fences and clearing sites for some
sort Of shelter for their families. Little can be
done until the lumber is shipped IN. Nothing
is left in the burned district to support live
stock. On most Of the roads travelled the
culverts and bridges were gone the same as up
shore, but these will soon be patched for tenn
porary use.
J. III. linus drove from Port Austin to Cass
City by way of BAD AK and Campbelrs Corners,
after the storm of flame had subsidized. He saws
there are only eight houses left from Cumber
TO Greenleaf School House. a distance of seven
miles. East OF Clmpbelrs Corners, a distance
of twelve miles, the only house left was that of
Kiltendorff's, and there Mr.. linus found 100
homeless people congregated. Along this road
he saw people digging potatoes which had been
baked by the fire and the corn which had been
roasted by the flames and eating thereof.
East of Cass City for several miles every
building, the fences, crops and timber were
DESTROYED. Within thirty miles. OF. that place
l25 families were sleeping in fields, with no
covering whatever. Some had been 80 stripped
that thev were ashamed 10 show Themselves.
J. j. Gallagher, young man employed by
j. 4. Morse, OF Elkland. was severely burned
In the attempt to save the life of an old man,
and one of his arms will have to be amputa-
ted. Richard Meredith, OF the same township.
will die. He was burned in shocking manner
and lay by the roadside twenty-four hours be-
fore aid reached HIM.
The family of German named Sebalt, living
In Novesta, persisted.
In the same township the wife of John Scrib-
or stood in the river with the water mp to her
neck, holding her baby's head out OF the water
five long hours before aid reached her.
+. Murray, Postmaster and telegraph operat-
or at Richmondvlle, gives the following graphic
account Of the burning of Richmondville: Mon
day morning fires were visible to the westward,
there being then . slight breeze, but this al
died away by 10 O'Clock, and then there was no
smoke Whatever. Soon afterward it COM
menoed growing dark, and by IL o'clock lamps
were lighted. This darkness was not caused
BY smoke. nor was It the darkness