The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-04-17
Flaming Forests.
NORTH CAROLINA PINERrEs SWEPT BY
FIRE-A TOWN MENACED.


arose flames were racing like demons
through the woods. The roar Of the fire
through the pines, the cracking of the
burning trees, the awful sight of the
flames, and the binding, scorching heat,
showed the people far and near that great
disaster was at hand. Vast masses of fire
were actually forced through the air by
the sweeping gale. The tops of half
burned pines were thrown great distances,
and fell in the middle of cleared fields
The flames lowered to an amazing height,
and SO vivid was the glare that it made all
objects plain great way off. The people
were terribly alarmed. At Blues Crossing
and Keyser the people gathered in large
numbers, and fought the flames with such
energy and desperation that these places
escaped with little damage. Dozens Of
turpentine diStillerieS are completely des-
troyed, as well as large quantities of rosin,
turpentine, and other naval stores.
The fire has extended beyond Hamlet in
to South Carolina. Its full sweep is over
distance OF fifty OF sixty miles. No news
of any disaster to life has yet been received.
Many persons have lost clothing, and some
were badly scorched by the fierce flames. -
1t is by far the most disastrous fire ever
in the North Carolina turpentine forests.
The Raleigh and Augusta Airline rail-
road runs fifty miles through the burned
district. All dayiyesterday the fire ragged
through this district, gathering fury as it
went. Crops were scorched and houses
burned, and the scene of destruction was
indeed grand. In the afternoon the wind
rose yet higher, and at nightfall it was
blowing lively gale. The aspect then be-
came awful in sublimity. The fire ex-
tended for an unknown distance on each
side OF the railroad, principally on the
south side, the wind being from the north.
west, and steadily sweeping the flames
southwark. Tall pines were in blaze
from base to summit, and large number
of cross-ties and an immense amount of
wood and lumber were burned up along the
line of the railroad. The turpentine
orchards of the whole section have been
entirely destroyed.
The town of Manly was in imminent
danger of total destruction. The railroad
warehouse caught fire several times, but
was extinguished. The Methodist church
five storage warehouses for guano and cot
stables of w. G. Petty, at Manly, were
burned. The water-tanks Of the Raleigh
and Augusta railroad at Hamlet were con-
sumed. At 2 o'clock this morning Hamlet
was surrounded by Gordon Of fire, and the
light of the confagration could be seen for
miles in every direction. Many farm
houses have been consumed. Mr.. Hen
derson, near Hamlet, lost his residence.
together with all the outhouses on the
premises.
The whole community was busy during
| the night fighting fire. The heat from the
| fire was so oppressive at times that it was
necessary for the doors and windows of
the passenger train to be closed while pas
sing through it. Hundreds of farmers
lost all their fences, outbuildings, forage.
&c. At Hamlet and other points people
threw their furniture, bedding, and cloth
ing into ponds and streams to save them
from the devouring flames. Cases are re-
ported where people took refuge Gin ponds
and wells.
/ For ten miles east of Hamlet everything
is absolutely destroyed. This afternoon
and evening the fire is burning only in
limited places. The wind being low peo-
pie are enabled to combat it more easily.
Though the danger is over many thousand
trees will yet burn and shoulder. The
full news of the losses can hardly be OBJ
tanned for several days.
| List of Grand and Petit Jurors
| The followingis the list of Grand and
Petit Juries, drawn for the U. S. District
| Court, which meets in Harrisonburg
Tuesday, May 18th, 1884:
GRAND JURY.
Frank Overton, Archibald Kinney,
Staunton James A. Hanger, Churchville;
Peter H. Lee, Long Glade; Alexander
boro Springs; G. Lippett, Berryville S.
i. Roxwell, Josiah Rinker, Gainsboro; M.
M. Eddings, Ruckersville John W. Hull,
Straight Creek; Horace Towles, Criglers-
vile; John Anderson, Grove Hill; Noah
Shenk, Kimball; Abraham D. Heatwole,
Pleasant Valley; B. F. Cromer, Ottobine;
r. w. Bear, tMcGaheysville JOS N.
Mauzy, Linwood T. w. Deathridge,
Flint Hill; VIM. A. Mohler, Lingwood
J. D. FL. Ross, Lexington Joseph II. ST.
bert, Mt. Olive; Alexander Johnston,
Front Royal.
PETIT JURY.
A. G.. Kerr, Middlebrook M. M. Dull,
Augustus Blauth. Greenville; J. W.
Churchman, Mint Spring ]. J: Lear, Cow
ington; Jacob Lightner, Valley Centre
Thomas Mccormick, Berryville !; Jacob
W. Richards, Parishville ; P. B. Williams,
Winchester James Chapman, Fuckers
vile; J. A. Benner, Meetings. Mill
Howard Garth, Wolftown, Joseph R.
Wood, Cedar Point David Stonebt ok,
Kimball Samuel Hartman. Garrett K ng,
Harrisonburg; John Cover, Conr is
Store; Jacob Lincoln, Lacey Spril, gs
John A: Compton, Little Washingt m
ton; E. B. Whissen. Edinburg, ia Job
Shockey, Woodstock ; J. A. Mckay, Cet ar
vile.