The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-17
SK0K0RATS BIG BLAZE
FIRE SIARTS ON S. Y. BEACH'S
FARM

And in Spite of Help Summoned From
Town 1t Burned Over Three Hundred
Acres-One Man Overcome by the Heat
and Smoke-Another's Hand Badly
Burned-Loss Quite Heavy.
Seymour, April 16.-The most destruc-
tive wood fire that has visited here in
years occurred, Wednesday afternoon,
on what is called Skokorat, near
Beach's saw mill. The fire ragged there
for hours, although it was fought by
men, and considerable damage was
done, the exact amount not being
known yet. More than 800 acres of land
We're burned over, and it is estimated
that there were over $50 cords of wood
burned, besides many fences. The fire
started on the farm of S. r. Beach, and
when once it started, it was useless
to try and control it. The Ansonia
Sentinel says:
The hired man, Charles Kennesson,
was working on the farm at the time,
and though he did his utmost to
stop the flames from spreading, they
crept along at lightning rapidity, enter
ing the woods, after which it was an
impossibility to stop them. Many lent
a hand, but the force was too small,
and the fire getting such a Roadway,
it was thought best to drive into town
for help.
HELP SENT FOR.
This was done, and at 2 o'clock a
large force of men We're got together
and taken to Skokorat to fight the
flames. The flames crept on to the prop
erty of Joel Chatfield, and he lost about
100 cords of wood. This was all cut,
ready for carting, and being seasoned.
The heat at once took hold. On How
ard Chatfields farm, and the land of
Jerry Andrews, the fire also ragged, and
the fight to get it under control was a
hard one
The men, however, went at the flames
with will, but the intense heat drove
them back every few minutes.
They got out a horse, to which a
plow was attached, to pillow up the
earth, so that sort of channel would
prevent the flames from crossing, but
this, too, was of no avail, for the
flames shot across the trench, igniting
the grass on the other side, and the
flames ragged on.
KENNESSON OVERCOME.
With the horse was Charles Kennes-
son, and with the intense heat and the
excitement he was overcome, and it was
after many efforts by the men that he
was taken away from the flames which
encircled both him and the horse. He
was unconscious when brought to a
place of safety, and though efforts were
made to revive him all were useless,
and it was feared that he was going to
succumb. A messenger was sent for
DR.. E. w. Davis, who arrived as quick
ly as his horse could bring him, and he
prescribed for the man. He was after
ward taken home. The men kept at
the flames until late in the afternoon,
and towards o'clock the fire was in
where little damage would follow.
Late Wednesday night the flames
were still aglow and in some places,
this morning, they were still burning.
Many drove over to the place, to-day,
to see the land made barren by the
fire, and they were surprised at the
great amount of territory it covered.
What the loss is is not known, several
hundred dollars worth of wood being
gone with the fences.
ONE MAN BURNED.
Thomas Thomas, one of the volun-
teers who fought the fire, did heroic
| work and his services We're very valu-
able to the volunteers. One of his
| hands was considerably burned and he
also injured one of his thumbs so that
he is obliged to carry the hand in q
sling to-day. How the fire originated
| is not known. Mr.. Kennesson, who
was overcome at the fire, is reported
to-day as being as we'll as could be ex-
pected.