Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-02
DAMAGE FROM FOREST FIRES.
Great Destruction in Southern New Jersey
Flames Elsewhere.

Great Destruction in Southern New Jersey
Flames Elsewhere.
The immense forest fire in southern New
Jersey. described briefly in dispatches to yes
terday's STAR, started near what is known as
Jones Mill. il densely wooded tract. One Of
the squatters started a brush fire, and before
he was aware of it the flames had crept through
the underbrush, which is now as dry as finder.
and was travelling with the speed of the wind
along the edge of the big timber. The alarm
was given, and as many men as could be quickly
gathered made all haste to reach a stream to
the southwark, in the direction of which the
fire was spreading. They reached the point in
time and started q number of smaller fires
along the borders Of the stream, so that when
the main body of the fire reached this spot it
would go out for want of something to feed on
and would have worked well had not the wind
shifted and carried the flames toward the John
son place. The breeze carried burning embers
in advance and the forest seemed like the in
terror of a volcano.
PAISLEY IN PERIL
At one time the little village Of Paisley was
in imminent danger of destruction. as the fire
approached dangerously near, and showers of
sparks kept all of the residents busy in putting
out the smaller CONGREGATIONS that sprang up
wherever one of these sparks fell Several of
the squatters and charcoal burners, whose
cabins are to be found everywhere in the
woods, we're burned out and had to flee with
what belongings they could carry on their
backs.
While the fire was raging another one that
had been doing much damage in Atlantic county
swept across the scrub oaks and Indian grass
into the large timber that skirts the southern
border of Shamong township. destroying not
only the standing timber, but a considerable
nj
ment, including lot of boat boards and cedar
plank. The pine hawkers, who inhabit the
woods and live by the sale of stolen timber and
charcoal turned in and worked with all their
might to stay the progress Of the flames,
but they finally gave up the fight. ex-
hausted and dishesrtened. Heretofore they
have been charged with having fired the woods.
but no one believes it Of them now. Many of
them worked until they were too exhausted TO
walk, and yet they did it without hope of re-
ward, as they do not own a foot Of ground as 9
rule.
DISMAL PROSPECT.
The territory over which the fire has swept
is dismal in the extreme. As far as the eve can
reach there is nothing but smoke and black
ened trees. Every vestige of vegetation has
departed, and the ground is covered with
ashes. A more desolate landscape can hardly
be imagined. The timber is still burning and
but little effort is now being made to save any,
tuluk. 41t uEe ukutefs are exhausted nd dis
couraged-
RACE FOR HIS LIFE.
Walter Chace. the stage driver from the sta
ton to the village of Dividing Greek. had an
experience with the flames he will remember as
long as he lives, and his escape seems almost
miraculous. He was driving his stage through
the woods when he was almost completely sur
rounded by the flames. The road was obscured
by smoke and the flames had scorched his stage
before he reached a clearing and escaped.
PROPERTY DESTROYED.
North Absecom has been nearly DESTROYED.
The loss reaches hundreds Of thousands. Six
teen dwellings and much timber have been de-
stroyed at Pleasantville. Fourteen dwellings
at Bayhead. thirteen at Oceanville, twelve at
Port Republic and dozen at Egg Earbor are
but part Of the property destroyed. The loss
in Atlantic county will be Sz00, 600, but the
flames are under control there.
OTHER FIRES.
Forest fires are raging in almost every direc-
ton from Oakland, Nd, and clouds of smoke
ascend from every mountain and hill top of Gar
rett county. Dispatches state that the mountain
fires broke out on Thursday on the side OF
south mountain, in the vicinity of Pleasant
Walk, in the northwestern portion Of the Md
dletown valley and has been burning ever sin,e.
Another fire started last evening on sotth
mountain, a few miles east Of the 6irst one, and
is burning furiously in two places-
Serious fires are also raging. as stated in yes-
terdays STAR, in the neighb0rhood OF Reading,
Pa