The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-12-09
NO.m.
NINETY MILES OF WOODS ARIRK.
The Forests I'm Blaze--Fearful Scenes Along
the Central and Northeastern Railroads.

| 7 L.. .. .
The passengers on the Columbia special
train of the Atlantic Coast Line, which
| reached Charleston at o. 10 last night, had
an opportunity of witnessing forest fires of
| rare extent and brilliancy. Tile 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
mile curve ne, 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 flame and through clouds
OF binding aid asphyxiating smoke.
At such places the effect Of the super
heated and tire-laden atmosphere was sensi-
bly, felt by the passengers through the thick
plate glass Of the car windows. The fire
was itercely swept on by stiff breeze from
the northwest, and at some points leaped
across tho 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 'boXcd' for turpentne Some of
these trees rcscmbled pillars of flame In
motlon as the train rushed by with the speed
OF lightning express.
The woods on fire in South Carolina is n
serious occurrence. At Monck's Corner 10
was reported that several plantation houses
mad been burned down with all their farm
attachments. AT Stoney Landing it was
only by the utmost eXertion that the works
We're 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 OFT endcavoring to check the hurri
cane OF flame and protect their fences and
dwelling houses. The accidental landscape
was Dantcsquc to n realistic degree, and
furnished the passengers with sights and
scenes equally difficult to describe or for
get.-Netcs and Courier.
EARLE BRANCH, December "A severe
forest fire started yesterday morning In this
ncighborhood and, but for Providential in
tcrfercncc, the whole village would have been
consumed. The fire was fought by men,
women and children, foot for foot, but the
strong. southwcstcrly winds drove the fire,
through the village, burning fencing and
threatening houses which were saved by
almost supcrhuman efforts on the part Of
the workers. At last the fire got into 100
S'N' VI '''pN', N'iNlCNl SuD lCCt HOIIn VI
The depot, and in Il moment the flames were
communicated to two flat 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 iuncture
every hope Of saving the village was given
! up, aS tho depot, two stores, a ginhouse, a
| dwelling house and Il large stable were in
close proximity to each other and to tho
nre The people became pancstricken,
and only thOurht of SAVING rs much ont of
their houses as possible. AT last u desper-
ate stand was taken opposite the depot and
the fury Of the flames stopped. Gen. w.
| Stokes is the scvcrest sufferer by the fire,
having lost from 500 to 81, 900 by wood,
! fencing and houses.