The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-12-08
NINETY MILES OF WOODS AFIRE.
The Forests In n Blnze-Fearful scenes Along
the Central and Northeastern Railroads.

The Passengers on the Columbia special
train of the Atlantic Coast Line, which
reached Charleston at 80 last night, had
an opportunity of witnessing forest fires Of
rare extent and brilliancy. The woods
were on fire almost continuously from Sum-
ter to within five miles of Charleston, a
distance Of ninety miles.
The grandest display OF the accidental
fireworks was in the section Of country
lying along the Northeastern Railroad be-
tween St Stephens depot and the Five
milo curve near Charleston. In many
places on both sides Of the track the line of
fire was unbroken for miles, and in other
places the fire approached so near the track
on either side that the train literally ran
between walls of fame and through clouds
Of binding and asphy Mating smoke.
ct SUCH places the effect of the super
heated and 6re-laden atmosphere was sensi-
bly, felt by the passengers through the thick
plate-glass of the car windows. The fire
was iicrcely swept on by a stiff breeze from
the northwest, and at some points leaped
across the roadway and caught the cross
ties. The whole heavens were Lighted up
with the reflection from the lurid blaze
from the dry combustible foliage and from
the trunks of the forest giants that had
been boxed" for turpentine. Some Of
these trees rcSemblcd pillars OF flame III
motion rs the train rushed by with the speed
of a lightning express
The woods on fire in South Carolina is j
serious occurrence. at Monck's Corner 1t
was reported that several plantation houses
had been burned down with all their farm
attachments At Stoney Landing it was
only by the utmost eXertion that the works
were saved, the loss at that place having
been confined to the destruction OF about
one hundred cords Of wood. Several wood
piles and wood racks along the track were
in blaze last night, and the loss in this
respect may be still more serious.
The people all along the line Of road
were oct endeavoring to check the hurrl
cane Of flame and protect their fences and
dwelling houses. Tie accidental landscape
was Dantesquc to a realistic degree, and
furnished the passengers with sights and
scenes equally difficult to describe or for
cet.-Nelrs and Courier.
EARLE BRANCH, December IA severe
forest fire started yesterday morning In this
neighborhood and, but for Proyidential in
terference, the whole village would have been
consumed The fire was fought by men,
women and children, foot for foot, but the
strong southwesterly winds drove the fire
through the village, burning fencing and
threatening houses which were saved by
almost superhuman efforts on the part of
the workers. At last the fire got into 100
cords of wood. corded 200 feet north OF
the depot, and in Il moment the flames were
Communicated to two fiat cars on the side
track, partly loaded with wood, and over
the railroad to an old large mill shed, which
was quickly consumed. At this juncture
every hope of saving the village was given
up, as the depot, two stores, ginhouse, a
dwelling house and large stable were in
close proximity TO each other and to the
fire The people became panic-stricken,
ard only thought Of saving as much out OF
their houses as possible. At last desper-
ate stand was taken opposite the depot and
the fury Of the flames stopped. Gen. W.
Stokes is the severest sufferer by the fire,
having lost from $500 to $1,000 by wood,
fencing and houses.