Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-08
MICHIGAN Fires.
Several Towns and Many
Farms Burned.
Over One Hundred Lives Lost
in One County,
Escape Of a Family by Getting
into a Well.
Scenes of Horror, Distraction and
Anxiety.
Five Hundred Families Burned
Out and Destitute.
Five Hundred Families Burned
Ont and Destitute.

CHICAGO, September ga special To
the Times, dated Sand Beach, Michigan,
September 7th, l';l5 am, says; The fire
of last night was worse, and did more dam
age, than that of 1871. The towns Of
Badax, Verona, Port Hope and Huron
City are all burned. Eight dead bodies
were brought into Port Hope before 8
o'clock this morning. At least 100 lives
have been lost in this county. r. j. Meade
and his whole family, living four miles
west of Sand Beach, were burned. A child
Of James Meade was found dead this
morning. James Meade and wife have
not been found One family were found
in a well, safe, but all their goods, horses
and barns were burned. Peoplein Verona
buried themselves in their gardens.
The hose company Of this town was up
all last night, and are now wetting the
streets, houses, barns, etc. The only dan
ger here is. from sparks and cinders.
$3.50 P.M-The town of Sand Beach is
shrouded in total darkness, and business
is suspended. The hose company have
been wetting the business portions of the
place. Gas and lamps are lighted. Many
have their clothing and a portion of their
bedding packed, ready TO 60 out on the
lake. The smoke is sitting. The train
due at 220 turned back at Deckersville,
twenty-five miles south Of here The
people there have buried the most of
their clothing and furniture. j, jerks &
Cos, salt block in this place, caught fire,
but the hose company succeeded in putting
it out before much damage was done. The
town is supplied with water by the Holly
Water Works throughout the business
portion, and no very great fears a enter
tanned for its safety
Heavy roaring can be heard off to the
northwest, which some think is thunder
and others a tornado.
One farmer, fifteen miles southwest of
here, lost his house and barn, 600 bushels
of wheat and 800 bushels of oats. His
insurance had expired three days pre-
yiously
A widow, west Of Verona, lost her
house and barn. No communication can
be had with other towns, as the wires are
not working.
7PM.-Up to the present time twelve
bodies have been found and brought into
town. 1t is reported from Port Hope
that twelve persons are known to have
been burned near there. More are miss
lubi WIZ ~ 10 lcdltu' nhNt bttu DuIubu'
The entire town of Verona is
burned with the exception of a hotel
and church The inh habtants have saved
nothing. There is not pound of -four in
the village A letter from the County
Treasurer Of Badax, dated yesterday, says
fifty families are without roof to cover
them. They have appealed to the Mayors
of Port Huron and Detroit for aid, as no
provisions or clothing were saved. No
one can imagine the havoc that was made
by yesterdays and last nights fire. One
little child was found clasped in an elder
sisters arms and two others near by were
burned TO a crisp. One entire family,
consisting Of five persons, burned within
twenty reds of their house. The reports
from what is known as to the Erskine
estate, about eight miles west Of here, and
running south through the township of
Paris are heartrending. Dead bodies are
lying along the road and in the dooryards,
having apparently been overtaken by the
fire. Port Hope was entirely consumed.
Huron City is entirely destroyed The
depot and Wards elevator at Menden,
fourteen miles south of here, we're burned.
There has been no railroad, mail or tele-
graph communication since yesterday at
noon. The fire company has been at work
in this place constantly since yesterday at
pm. wetting buildings. The safety of
the town depends upon the wind. Large
Goals Of fire have been blowing into town
through the day. Itis thought the worst
is passed.
these dispatches are sent by boat to
Port Huron. Th4 best estimates that can
be made at present place the number of
families that are entirely burnedrput and
destitute of food, clothing, etc at500.