The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-05-08

EAsToN, PA, May 2.-The mountain fires
are assuming dangerous proportions, and
hundreds Of people are out fighting the
flames on the nerth side of the Blue Noun
tains, near Wind Gap, and on the
Pocono Mountains. The flames are
making great headway. This afternoon
fire broke ont in the woods near Penn
Argyll, and is still burning, though all the
quarry men are out fighting it and have been
so for the past three hours. The woods
are very dry and the leaves laying thick
in the low stubble give the flames abundant
material to feed on. This fire is within a
quarter Of mile of Penn Argyll, and is
burning toward the town. There Is no
serious danger of the place catching, how
ever, unless the wind increases in violence
aud carries the sparks to the houses. The
smoke in all this section is terrible, and
people can hardly breathe. They go abont
dense smoke has never before been known
here. 1t comes from the Pocono Mountains
and from Penn Argyll, as well as from the
fires around Whithaven. Lights are
scarcely visible half block of. The Pc.
como Mountains are on fire in many places
and the flames are raging fiercely especial
ly on top of the ranges. The track of
the Delaware, Lackawana and Western Rail-
way Is surrounded for distance Of four
or Eve miles, and the passengers expert
smoke penetrates everywhere. The en-
gineers are half blinded, and trains are run
on slow time. Much valuable timber is be-
ing destroyed. Reports from Whitehaven
say that five houses were burned there to-
day. The occupants saved most of their
effects. Other reports as to loss of life are
unconfirmed.
New YORK, May 2.-Forest fires in the
country round about fill the atmosphere
here with smoke. Middletown, N. Y, re-
ports the mountains west and north, the
Shawangunks and Catskills, on fire. No
damage is reported yet, but the danger to
isolated farm-houses and farms is great.
Clouds of smoke and ashes fill the air. Fires
are ranging on the Storm King Noun
tain, near Cornwall, and in the highlands
west of Haverstraw. The air of Newburgh
leaves are floating about. Much damage
to standing timber is apprehended. A
Mlkesbarre (Pa.) dispatch says forest
fres have been raging fiercely thereabouts
ed this afternoon. Whitehaven and neigh
boring hills caught fire, and for time the
town was in great danger, owing to a
strong wind. The Fire Department of
Wlkesbarre, with the whole population
of the place, subdued the fire. At Califor.
mia, a numbering town near Whitehaven, a
fierce fire started, and eleven houses, occu-
pied by men in numbering, were burned.
Two bridges on the Bear Creek branch of
the Lehigh Valley road were destroyed;
also the stables of Albert Lewis g. Co.
lumber contractors. Eleven horses also
persisted in this fire, and a large quantity
of valuable timber was destroyed, The
total loss is estimated at 5000. The fire
is now under control. Washington, N. j..
telegerphs that an extensive conhagra
tion is raging in the Blue Mountains,
twenty-five miles from there
PoRT JERvIs. N. Y, May 3.-The little
hamlet of Gilman's Depot was entirely de
stroyed by fire yesterday. Forests al
through the vicinity have been burning fol
several days with great fury. Resident.
| lost everything. Four cars of lumber
standing on the switch, 1900 cords of bark
20 ,000, 900 feet of lumber, one saw-mil
| and and four minor buildings wer,
| burned. Andrew Campbell anC
John Murreh were seriously burned. The
total loss will amount to between $150, ,00'
and $500, 900. There was no insurance. TIVE
| railroad bridges were burned. A third wa
saved by employees of the railroad stand
ing in the brook and dipping water witt
their hats to extinguish the flames. Th
| rails are burned out half mile, and 10
men are thrown out of employment. Tn
| fire is still burning in the forests all arount
here and Port Jervis.
MOUNT CARMEL, PENN, May 9Th
severe wind-storm and fierce forest fire
that visited Northumberland County yes
terday partially ceased about midnight
| To-day the mountains for many miles ar
burning and smoking terribly. Farm
fences, cord-wood, railroad sills and othe
valuable property is destroyed. The los
| will foot up thousands of dollars. Yester
day the forest fires were the mos
damaging seen here within half Ger
tury.
ALTOONA. PENN, May 3.-The town G
Brisbin, Clearfield County, was total
consumed by fire yesterday afternoon, ais
the large lumber-yards and mill of Hoover
Hughes G. Co. Loss estimated at $150,O
to ,000; fully insured.
ASHLAND, PA, May 6-Danger from fol
est fires is believed to be over Four farr
houses were destroyed. A man. name
Westhoffer is supposed to have perishe
I with his house. Forty-five TO fifty squar
miles in timber land was burned. The dan
age in the burned district is estimated I
l H. a mr.