The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-05
EVERYTHING IN THE PATH OF THE
FLAMES BURNED UP
settlements Wiped Out and the Iu-
habItants Terror -Stricken-Nothing
Left of the Once Bustling Town of
Marshall Cfty-A Solid Mass of Fire
Covering Three Miles in Width
Flames Spread So Rapidly That
People Are Unable to Save Any
Belongings.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

BRADFORD tPa.), June 4.-The fire at
Marshall City last night drove terror to
the hearts of the 500 Inhabitants. At 10
o'clock brisk west wind famed the
burning under brush and hemlock tim
ber into a solid mass of fire covering three
miles in width.
The flames spread SO rapidly that the
people had to leave everything and run
to clearing two miles distant at High
land Corners. Women with children in
arms, shrieking and bemoaning their
fate, ran and stumbled as they escaped
from the fire. Many of the women fell
exhausted and were trampled on, but
reached Highland in safety. Nothing ls
left of the once bustling little place.
The fire is still burning fiercely among
the oil wells. The Northern Oil Com
pany has twenty oil wells and number
of tanks burning at these places now. and
there is no abatement to the fury OF the
flames. 1t is impossible to estimate the
loss.
The woods leading to Clark's Mills are
one mass of flames on both sides of the
road. How the people who live along
the road could have escaped Is beyond
comprehension. There is no communl-
cation of any description with this place
and no news is obtainable from there,
but there is no doubt of everything hav-
ing been burned up in the path OF the
ire. Every available man is lighting
fire, and there are not half enough.
There is fire in every direction, and all
efforts to check its progress seem futile.
Coon Run, three miles from Russell City,
which was wiped out yesterday after
noon. was entirely obliterated. The place
consisted OF twenty seven buildings,
pump station, schooIhouse ana saw
mill.
A. B. Fowler, the Superintendent of the
Northern Oil Company. says that while
he and his men were "back firing" a still
breeze from the west came up like magic
and in less time than it takes to tell it
the fire was upon them. They ran to town
and aroused the people to flee for their
lives.
Men, women and children then made
wild race for the railway track, a distance
OF five miles, while the flames played
havoc with all their belongings. The
Northern Company lost forty oil wells at
this place and large number of rigs
built for new wells. About twenty-five
tanks of oil were consumed.
The fire at Ormsby was raging moro
fierceiy than ever this morning. The
flames are devouring a large area Of
standing timber. The sawmills and a
number Of houses have been consumed.
A stiff breeze is blowing. and there is no
telling what the outcome will be.
The fire at West Kane. which threat
ened the destruction of that place, ia now
under control. The damage done was
the burning of nine oil well rigs owned
by the Griffith estate, an engine house
and q dwalIinu hOuse
The fire at knapps Creek is still rag
ing, and has has done large amount of
damage.
The fire has spread to Bells Camp, aud
thirty-five oil wells are burning.
Reports from Duke Center state that
the entire valley is on fire. Loss TO oil
and lumbermen will be enormous. Kan
sas Branch, Rixford. Davis City, Summit
City. Dallas City, Oil Valley, Limestone,
STATE Line, Derrick City and Red Rock
are ell in it, and unless rains fall soon will
be destroyed.
The sky is black with smoke, the
mountains are invisible and the heat is
intense. Not an idle man can be found,
and calls for men come from every direc-
ton. Men are still fighting the fire at
Degolia, and apparently have it under
control.
Everything at Sugar Run, including
the sawmills and dwellings, are burned,
and nothing remains of the place.
The fire at Brook stone is still burning
fiercely, and there is no prospect OF
checking the spread of the flames. 1t is
impossible to get men, consequently the
fires make rapid headway.
The ire has reached the oil field at
West Branch. A dense cloud of smoke
has burst forth, and it is reported that
several wells and tanks are on tire.