The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-28
RACED 4 FOREST FIRE
Mr.. Hemingway Vividly
Tells His Narrow Escape
From a Terrible Death.

Mr.. George Kruse. HORTICULTURE SUI
perintendent Of New York Bay Cemetery.
j recently received a letter from Trustee 3
Hemingway OF the cemetery, who has
been summering at Mineville, N X. The
letter wildly describes the narrow escape
of himself and his party from being
burned to death In a forest fire. 1t says
.iMr. and Mrs. Knapp with their baby.
Mrs. Genner n myself, left our cottage
about nine O'Clock on the morning Tor Q
fifteen miles drive to st. Huber's Inn at
Bodies. We arrievd safely and passed q
pleasant afternoon.
I'm the evening we started joyfully
homeward, little thinking Of the fearfui
experiences in sore for as. After proceed
ing several miles on our homeward jour-
ney we saw a light in the forest, wnicn
appeared to be near the top Of a large
mountain. We at first thought that the
light was in some house, but later came
to the conclusion that there could De no
house there. As we drove along more
lights appeared, until seven were counted
We then made the startling discovery
that the vast forest was on fire.
owe were about fifteen miles from 81
Huber,s Inn, and about an equal distance
from Mineville. The flames were rapidly
approaching on our front and side. we
+ stiIv decided to turn and race for our
lives back to St. Huber's Inn.
sThe road at this spot runs along the
edge of a precipice, and Is wide enough
for one team only. We got out OF tue
carriage. unhitched the horses, and turn
ed the carriage around. BY the time tne
horses were again pitched, the names
were within a few hundred yards OF US.
We could feel the intense heat and we
were nearly suffoeated by smoke We
lashed the horses and started on our
mad race for life.
..We had not proceeded far when we
discovered the woods in front OF us
ablaze. The flames leaped across the
road. completely blocking our progress.
II was sure death to turn back. so we
decided to force our way through the
flames ahead. Fortunately we had over
coats with us which we hastily decided
to throw over the horses heads prepar-
atory to rushing through the flames.
.-Our position was indeed precarious-a
wall of fire in the rear, In the front and
on both sides. The horses were terribly
frightened n nearly backed the outfit
off the precipice. Knapp and I each seiz-
ed a horse by the bride, while Mrs. Cen
ner held the reins and piled the whip
vigorously. BY our combined exertions
we succeeded in getting through the
flames in front, which had subsidized to
some extent"
Mrs. Knapp was continually crying
My baby, my babyI'' a fact. I can assure
you, which did not tend to steady our
nerves. We had previously wrapped both
the mother and hay in a heavy wrap
which we fortunately had with US. We
passed the danger line safely, but not
without being badly scorched. Our clothes
were ruined. The horses were badly
singed and they became almost unman-
ageable. Fortunately the wind changed,
Blowing the flames so that the road in our
front was clear.
I'VE were forced to drive fifteen miles
to reach another road TO get home. You
will nave some idea of the terrible heat
when I mention that a derby hat which
I wore fell apart on being touched. We
got home about sunrise. truly grateful
for our almost miraculous escape from
death.
The residents of this part of the coun-
try say they have never before witnessed
such destructive fires as have beer
raging this summer.
Some had the misfortune of being in
a railroad accident; I have been in a small
boat In a gale outside of Sandy Hook,
have been in the hospital three times
each time given up for dead-but / have
never felt so near death as when sur
rounded by raging forest fires