The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-01
HEMMEO IN ~ FLAMES.
Frightfui Experience of n Family In an
Austrei 80 ;u-h Fire.


Austr,H o., 'su-h Fire.
From the Melbourne Leader.
The terrible devastation wrought by
the uncomfortable bush fires in Gipps-
land is throwing a gloom over the entire
community, as the people receive the
heartrending reports of ruin and devas-
tattion. Business is completely para
lyzed. Whole dairy herds have been
roasted alive. literally, by the hundred,
one man alone having counted that
lumber of his own choice stock burned
to a cinder in his paddock. Sheep, too,
have persisted in large numbers. At
Sea View, a small town on the Strez-
lecki ranges, about IL miles south of
Warragul, w. Graham owned a splen-
did dairy farm and a choice dairy herd
Of 100 cows, one of the finest i'm Gipps-
land. On Monday afternoon, after sep
arating the milk, Mr.. Graham conveyed
h cream to the factory at Bear Creek,
a journey which he accomplished daily.
He reached the depot all right as usual,
and on his return he got as far as Mr..
Longs house, which is about half way,
when he found the bush on fire right
ahead at a point where the track was
only about IL feet wide. After waiting
for over an hour to see If the burning
track would become practicable, Mr..
Graham grew anxious about the safety
of his wife and family and, although
persuaded by Mr.. Long not to attempt
the fearful ordeal of going through the
flames. he decided to run the risk.
Taking the horses out of the trap, he
ounted one of them and galloped off.
He had no sooner got well into the fiery
avenue when a big burning tree came
crashing to the ground just behind him,
causing his horse to rear with fright.
This incident partially unnerved him,
but, giving his horse his head, he went
at full gallop for a distance of about
400 yards further, when the fire and
smoke were so intense and ~suffocating
hat he was compelled to give the jour-
ney up. Wheeling his horse round. he
made a dash to get out of the burning
avenue before he and his horse were
roasted to death, when suddenly he
came upon the huge blazing tree that
had fallen, n found to his utter dis
nay that all retreat was enectually cut
off. He Immediately dismounted and
fully expected to be burned alive. For
nearly four hours he lay groveling on
the ground, placing his mouth in the
deep ruts to get a breath of air. while
the sparks and burning timber fell
around him.. His horse, as If guided by
instinct, kept by its masters side with
its nose to the ground. At length Ora
ham could endure the agony no longer
and he resolved to gallop through or
die in the attempt.
So. mounting his faithful horse again,
he made a headlong dash, needless Of
everything. and by a miracle he man.
aged to reach his home. But his trouble
were not yet over. He came into War
ragul yesterday for medical advice,
where he was detained all night in con-
sequence of the roads being blocked,
and when he reached home a second
time this morning he found everything
but his house swept away by the fire.
All his outbuildings, barns. stacks and
noes were demolished 100 of his dairy
herd out of 100 were charred to a Gin
der. H~alf-roasted, singed bare and to-
tally blind, on every and were sheep.
pigs me poultry. 1t is a miracle how
the house escaped destruction. Mrs. Ora
ham placed the children in one of the
rooms. drenched the place with water
and spread wet sacks over it to prevent
ignition. and then with the help of three
neighbors the brave mother battled with
the flames the whole night through.
The ordeal. however. was SO terrible
that Mr.. Graham had to ride into War
ragul again tonight for medical assist
ance. both mother and children being
totally blind