Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-05
FREAKS AND FURY OF THE FLAMES.
widespread Destruction of Forests and
Private PrOpertY In King George.

widespread Destruction of Forests and
Private Property In King George.
correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch.l
CoaoRS, KING GEoRGT COUNTY, Va, April
S.-Ihe most alarming and disastrous
forest fire ever known here swept over
large area of this county last Saturday,
damaging property 70 an extent that can
not be accurately estimated. Early in the
day spark from the steam saw and
caught in the leaves of q large body
OF woods more than hundred
wards away, and despite the heroic
and unceaSing efforts of multitude
of citizens who soon gathered at the scene,
the wild flames spread rapidly over many
broad acres and almost IN the twinkllng
of All eve assumed the unmanageable
freaks aud fury of a mighty contlagration.
which threatened widespread destruction
and caused intense alarm among timid and
nervous women whose husbands and sons
left home and business TO JON In the
strenuous fight to suppress the spreading
flames. A very high southwest wind ragged
without cessation and rendered all
efforts futile. and only one alternative
renamed, and that was for the crowd OF
well-aIgh exhausted men to recede from
the scorching flames and leave the situa-
ton in the hands of Providence. Before
3 o'clock in the afternoon black clouds or
binding smoke had been borne by the
terrific wind over a large portion OF the
county. carrying charred leaves and DEBRIS
many miles and filing the atmosphere
with the sickening scent OF burning pine,
cedar. holly. and all the evergreen foliage
of the forest. mixed with the scent OF
burning cord-wood. railroad ties. fencing
material, decomposed woods-mould, var
mints, and insects.
THE LosERs.
Among the losers by the FIRE are Mr.
Charles L. Purks, merchant Captain Will
liam Merrill, cord-wood and railroad tie
dealer: Dr. III. W. Minor, whose farm and
cord-wood Law in the path Of the flames
Mrs. Salhe Mlffleton, poor widow; Mr..
Robert Newton, and Mr. William T. STE
pheps. Miles OF cedar and locust fencing
and many thousand rails lay In ashes.
-Four hundred cords of wood and a large
number OF railroad-ties belonging to Cap
tain Merrill were consumed before sun
down. The losses sustained by the per-
sons Just named consisted mainly In re-
cently-cut cord-wood and railroad-ties.
Other losses are confined largely TO
fencing, fencing material, uncut tim
Der. hoop-poles, and thousands of
dollars worth Of valuable forest oaks,
hickory. pine, cedar, locust, etc, on o
large tract OF land recently purchased by
Mr.. q. L. Purks and others. The IRE Is
still burning. and il Is impossible 70 con-
lecture when and where It will stop. This
depends more upon the course OF the wind
than anything else. Saturday nigh: the
wind shifted from southwest to northwest.
This saved Potomac Baptist church, a
number Of dwellings, and 1900 cords
OF wood, and should another sonth
wind spring up before the flames die
down great many citizens will be left
homeless aud penniless. AS many as
eighteen men fought the flames around
each Of several houses up 70 o'clock yes
terdsy morning. DR.. Minor and many
others whose lifetime labors threatened
10 be swallowed up by the unfnanagabls
confagration did not abandon efforts aud
leave the scene until Sunday morning
after the wind lulled.