The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-11
STORIES OF FOREST FIRES.
Bears Eating Fishes Poiled in the
Ponds-Snakes in the Flames Van.

nOS-bnakSS IN Ln9 4 lanes V an
From the Pittshurg Dispatch.
Black bears feasting on parboiled fish
is one of the sequels to the recent fires
that ragged in the lumber districts of
Central Pennsylvania John McCurry,
who lives near Driftwsod, tells of this
strange incident in backwoods life:
a terrific fire had swept over a lew
lying district about half a mile from the
Susquehanna river, devouring the fallen
hemlscks and underbrush with a fierce
ness that was startling. The second day
after the fire, when the ground had be
come cool enough to allow traversng,
McCurry started into the burned district
to look after some park piles. He fol-
lowed a deep raVine for mile or more,
when his course changed and he made
his way In the direction Of the river. In
May last, when this stream overlooked its
banks and the twenty feet of extra water
deluged the narrew West Branch Valley,
it formed lakes and ponds where before
had been dry land. In one particular spot,
which was much lower than the surround
ing country, being naturally swampy,
the river water made a pond frsm two to
four feet in depth. This water was kept
quite fresh by the constant accession
made by a strong spring in the neighbor-
hood. The pond was hemmed in on all
sides by rhododendron, swamp hemlock
and water birch. In addition to the inter-
est attached to this pool because of its
very odd formation, was the fact that il
contained FISH. Lumbernen who stood by
its edge on several occasions saw the I'M
mistakable movements of quite large fish
in its murky depths They had been car
ried in with the strong sweep of water
during the May flood, and were caught in
the pool when the water recedsd. The
men who saw the fish declared that they
% sss-
This pond was directly In the wake of tho
recent forest fire. and its borders of hem
lock and birch fed the flames In their mad
race across country As McCurry neared
the pond, but before he was in sight Of il,
his attention was attracted by a low growl-
ing much like the noise made by a dog
when gnGWng bones. Climbing up from
the depths of the ravine, McCurry, who
was now within fifty yards of the pond.
was surprised to see two monster black
bears busily engaged devouring something
at the waters edge. One of the pair was
evidently afraid of the others movements.
for he kept up constant chattering a
he chewed at some withholding object
which he held in his forepaws. It was
some time before McCurry could determine
what the bears feast consisted of.
Suddenly one Of the black fellows made
lunge into the water and waded carefully
across the pond 20 where something lay
huNNiAtk Oh the surface. Nntn DTulH PICK
ed the object up McCurry saw that it was
FISH. The old fellow waded back 10
shore and began devouring his prize. 1t
was some time before the bears had got
ten all they wanted. This done however
they shambled off across the burned dis
trct IN the direction OF greener lands
much 10 the chagrin Of the young woods
man, who, aside from a small AK was ua-
armed.
When the bears had departed McCurry
made bold TO investigate the cause Of the
bruins attention to the pond. He found
on the surface Of the little lake several
dead fish. The water was decidedly warm
and the true situation soon presented itself
10 hun, The forest fire had heated the
water In the pond TO such degree that
the ush died and fioated 10 the ton. The
bears In their meanderngs discovered this
feast OF hsh and helped themselves.
Another incident OF tho recent forest
0reg iH Tho Plue creek region is related
boy sam Campbell. who works IN the woods
noar BIackweils. Sam was one OF tho
crew OF men sent out TO back fire. tight
fire with drcl. and he declares that their
experience was most thrilling While set-
ting fire 90 th.oket that crowned a rocky
ridge Doc ard hlH crow were startled 20 end
thcu selves suddenly in the midst OF i,t
OF ratlesrukes The forest FIRE was adj
Nan.us up thr side of 20 hlil ht "a rapid
rate. lr wEistlng whirnns sound o. ~
aeyourel the hemlock tops Yves terrific.
ana tue men were bent on building o Ane