The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-08-13


quiries made at the general offices of
the roads centering here in regard TO
forest fires in the interior of the State
show u state of things not ut all dis
similar to a powder magazine with "a
lighted fuse leading directly to it. In
nearly every part of the central, north
ern, and northwestern parts of the
State the forests are burning portion
with more or less disastrous results.
The most serious fires exist in the
heart of Clark and Marathon counties.
The complete destruction of the
town of Spencer is fully confirmed,
and the loss is now placed at $300,000.
Several hundred people are destitude
and homeless.
At Colby, few miles distant. fire is
raging on two sides. A dispatch says
that it required the desperate efforts of
the entire population to save the viii
lage. A gale was blowing all day, and
several times the fires reached to with
IN thirty feet of the buildings, and
were kept in check.
The village of Prentice, in Marathon
county, is surrounded by flames, and it
is feared that it will be swept out of
existence unless the wind dies down.
Near Chippewa Falls the fires are
confined to the prairies, and no build
ings were destroyed. Several farms
were devastated of their crops.
In the Menominee river region copi-
Gus rains have extinguished the fires
that have ragged there. Estimates of
the pine burned in this region place
the amount at upwards of hundred
million feet.
The village Of Mosinee narrowly es-
capped destruction by shift of the
wind. Wausau is now considered out
Of danger. AT Stevens Point Robin
sons mill and number of dwellings
were burned.
MILWAUKEE, Wis, Aug. 1.-Light
rains have fallen at Wausau, Stevens
Point, and Colby, deadening the forest
fires, but all danger is not passed in
those regions. Reports of great dam
age done by fires come in from all di-
rections. Nineteen families have been
burned out in hamlet north of
Wausau, on the border of Lincoln
county. Eleven families living in the
vicinity of Bullion have been obliged
ter in the village. The damage done
in the vicinity of Rantoul, Bullion,
and Chiffon is placed at $4,000.
The destruction done by forest fires
around Little Suamico is very severe.
a. Eldred's barn and blacksmith shop.
with their contents, and the farm
buildings Of half-doZen or more
farmers have been burned. The peo
pie in that vicinity became so fright
ened that they abandoned their homes
and flocked into the village. One wom
an left her babe sleeping in the house
while she went to neighbor's and was
cut off by the fire. In the meantime
her house was burned and the child
perished.
a special from Pensaukee. in Ocon-
to county, says that two saw-mills be-
longing TO Mr.. Fennelon, six houses,
ana two barns had been burned. Much
grain has been lost By farmers. In the
town Of Howard, Dunham'S mill, L.
Lawler's two houses, and houses be-
longing TO John and Daniel O'Neil
have been destroyed and other damage
has been done. At Milladore. Wis.
the fire was within five rods of the saw
mill yesterday afternoon, and aid was
asked of Stevens Point. Every one is
preparing to leave the town. At Cole
man, a. Baudrv has lost barn and
twenty tons of hay. In the town Of
New Denmark several barns have been
burned. w. 7. Waterbury, of Angus
ia, twenty-five miles east of Eau
Claire, has lost 800, 900 feet of logs, sew
eral logging outfits and camps, and
about $500 worth of cord-Wood
The village of Hansen, in Wood
county, was reported to be in great
danger last night. 1t is reported that
twenty-five dwelling houses and Will
iamson's saw-mill have been burned in
the town of Lawrence; also that the
Chicago IL Northwestern track near
Nlcollet is on fire, and that the village
of NicOllet is burning.