Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-17
Special to the Register.

Special TO the Register.
Womelsdorf, W. Va, May 16.-The
occurrences of the past twenty-four
hours seem to indicate that incendiaries
are at work in this region, and that the
forest fires which have ragged in the
Roaring Greek Valley within the past
week or ten days have been the work
of villains. and not of careless persons,
or the result of accident.
Four days ago fire was discovered
near the heart of the immense tracts
of timber land owned by Mabie, Nc
Ciure & Co. of PitJsburg and Tidioute,
Pa. This land was purchased about a
year ago from the heirs 0f Gotf ana
Arnold. the original settlers, who came
into possession of it under the patents
of the Virginian government before the
indians had been driven out. The
tract transferred TO Mabie, Mcclure d
Co. comprised something like 10000
acres. and after the building of the
Roaring Creek & Charleston Railroad
through the Roaring Greek Valley tho
lands increased in value very rapidly.
They mad made preparations for opening
saw mills and numbering camps, but
had not gotten to work yet.
When the fire was discovered the val
ley was a roaring furnace, and the trees
we're blazing and swapping like hideous
fiery devils. From tree TO tree the
faues spread. till not less than 1000
acres was burned over and all the tim
Der upon it ruined. Then the fire was
only Queuched by the timely coming OF
a brisk rain storm. All through We'd
nesday and Thursday the fire kept up
and the railroad bridges, trestles and
buildings were only saved by guards,
who cleared the trees away from about
these structures.
To-day the fires broke ont again. This
time they were again confined TO the
Mabie. Mcclure & Co. properties, but
in another section of the valley. Some
months ago these people bought the
property of the Middle Fork Boom &
Lumber Company. the mill being To-
Gated in a large cleared space near the
stream. the principal part Of the timber
being back in the mountains. The
timbered land is mostly spruce, hem
ing the more numerous
This morning fire was discovered in
three places in the tract of timber
bought from the Middle Fork Compa-
ny. Later. fires were started in three
O4Aer places. and before anything could
be done 10 check the headway of the
flames the whole tract was a blazing
mass. The fierce flames climbed up the
mountain sides, and tonight they pre-
sent a more grand and awe-inspiring
sight than any volcano in the world.
The progress of the flames can be min
u;ely noted for miles. Tree after tree
takes fire, beginning with the lower
branches, and as the flames shoot up
the needle-like leeves and smaller limbs
these giants of the forest present an ap-
pelrance similar 10 immense set pieces
Of fireworks.
The sky is overcast with clouds of
smoke, and the burning branches.
breaking from the trunks. soar upward
into the air, being carried up hundreds
Of feet by the terrific draft which tho
heat creates.
The weather is extremely dry and the
woods are in splendid condition for
burning. The flames are still spreading
and low estimates place the loss to the
timber thus far at half a million dol
lars. The only hope for relief lies in a
good drenching rain.
The animals of the forest, frightened
by the smoke and driven on by the
flames, are coming towards the haunts
Of men, and bears, deer and wild tur-
key are seen in scores crossing the
mountain from the fireswept side TO
where the railroad passes along the
opposite valley. a gentleman who was
close in front of the flames this after
noon said that he saw hundreds Of rep
tiles. many Of them immense rattle. S,
fleeing for life and Offering no harm to
other annals usually their prey.
-O---