Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-27

1t is to be hoped that Yesterdays rain
will go far to prevent the spread of the
disastrous forest fires that have been rag.
ing in various parts of the State during
the past week. Fires were burning YES
terday in the following places:
Phillips.
The wind, which died away. Tuesday
night, sprang up again Wednesday after.
noon, and for several hours blew briskly
from the southwest This famed the
smoul aering forests hereabouts into lively
flames
Out in Pleasant Valley the flames be-
gan to eat their way rapidly toward the
mill on the Minnetonka stream. A crew
II men were stationed there. Wedne sday
afternoon and night, and by the exercise
Of the utmost Vigilance kept the fire in
check
Forest fires are reported from all sides
and fire fighting is the order of the day.
Rain, this morning, partially put out
the forest fires and it is hoped the dagger
is past.
Word comes from Bemis that extensive
fires are raging in the woods near there.
At night the light can be plainly seen from
Rangcley village.
1t is presumed that 1t may have caught
form fires along the right of way on the
oew railroad, though the contractors are
taking every precaution against fires
Chestervile.
Several weeks ago T. J. Clough of
Chesterville, set fire In a clearing near his
house and whenever there came fresh
wind 1t would start afresh Monday night,
the high wind drove the fire into the ad-
Joining woodland, and since then much
time has been spent in trying to keep it
from reaching the lumber and bark of Mr.
Park and Mr. Clough. At one time it
came very near finding footing on the
east side of the stream, but men with
pals OF water watched and If any cinder
caught, 1t was promptly drenched down.
AT this time no further danger is expo cted
A very large fire is raging in tract of
swamp southeast of North pond A few
years ago the hard wood growth was re-
moved. which helped to feed the fire
Much damage has been done to pine owned
by Clark & Merry at North Arson
Fenobscot Fires.
The people Of Alton have been fighting
tires for two days now, and though they
have thus far succeeded in keeping the
flames from their homes, the danger is yet
great The men are blowing bitches
around their farms and making ladders
to use If buildings catch fire, while the
women are preparing to leave, if worst
comes to worst, at a moments notice
The larger of the two fires-that on the
north side of the Old Town road-started
Sunday morning, from a spark from Il
locomotive at point about six miles |
north of the Centre. 1t has now burned |
over tract about six miles by two. and |
to point within about half mile of the |
post office and a very few rods from tie
Argyle road. Tho land is all good timber |
land and owned principally by f. H. Hol |
yoke of Bangor. The fire has alread, |
crossed Argslc stream In several place
and threatens land owned by Engel < |
Davis, Bangor, and it is only que stion of |
4 few hours when this timber Will be on
fire, unless the wind changes Men are
now at work on the Argyle side OF tn
stream fighting the fire.
The other fire is on the south side Of tn,
Old Town road. This started in the wood,
back of that part of Old Town known as
the French settlement, on the Pushaw
road, it Is supposed by some careless hun
-er, and has burned in northeasterly
direction for about five miles, its path BE-
ng about half a mile in width Wednps-
lay night, it was burning much more
iercely than at any time since it com
nenced. The land over which this fir.
las burned is not SO valuable rs that
burned by the fire on the north side of the
Dad, being nearly all second growth