Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-05-01
Woods Fire.

E44Os
GAS Andrew Newkirk, farmer living
east of Elmer, was going from the farm Of
Henry Brown, about o'clock Wednesday
afternoon, the 23d ult., he saw little fire
in the edge of the woods and a man stand.
ing near it, and supposed the man was
looking after it. In very short time the
high wind spread the flame aud soon it was
roaring through the timber at terrific rate.
1t followed along the road which runs from
the road which crosses the Elmer mill dam
to Monroe and spread eastward with the
varying breeze. Many who went out to
| fight it remained in the woods until Thurs
/ day morning and then after returning to
Elmer to get some breakfast, went to the
fire again and remained until Thursday
evening. Among those who remained all
night and returned again through the day
were: Ex-Judge r. M. Hitchner, who is 70
years old, owner of 800 acres in that section
and veteran at fighting woods fires. He
lost eighty cords of wood which had been
cut and had about 400 acres burned over
besides. Among others who had timber
burned were: S. A. Dare, 40 acres; Ann
Riley, 65 acres; James Anthony, 45 acres;
Ex-Judge Edmund Jones, 80 acres; Martin
Schneider, ST., 10 acres; James and Frank
Langley, IA. acres; Samuel D. Kean, 48
acres; and many others. 1t is estimated
that 800 acres in all were burned over.
The fire burned all the way from the farm
OF S. A. Dare, near Elmer, to Good Hope
school house at Porchtown, a distance of
about three miles.
"At two O'Clock Thursday morning it
was thought the fire was under control, but
as number were leaving for home it was
discovered that remnants of the fire which
had crossed the Malaga road had broken
out again. At five O'Clock most of the men
left, thinking the danger past, but later in
the morning it broke out again and was not
subdued until nearly night On Thursday
Frank Sturr and j. r. Edwards discovered
fire mile and half from any other fire,
in a swamp, which they subdued after con
siderable work. 1t is believed this latter
fire was started by some evil disposed per-
son. William Garwood lost considerable
cord wood it is said, and Jacob Hitchner,
Jr., lost 800 to $500 worth of timber
which he recently purchased.
Elmer Times
The Minch law, passed last winter, i'm
poses severe penalty for starting fires in
the woods and prescribes precautions to be
taken. As soon as we can secure a copy,
will publish comprehensive synopsis of
same. Ed. DEMOCRAT.
LATER.
On Saturday last the high wind famed
the smouldering embers Of the fire above
described into life, and all day long the
flames wrought ruin and destruction to the
pine forests lying between Elmer and
Porchtown, a distance of nearly seven miles.
Judge Jones says his loss will reach fully
81, 900.
On Monday afternoon fire broke out in
the woods between Handles saw mill and
Glassboro and before it was extinguished
great damage resulted. Freebooter A. r.
Handles loss includes one hundred cords
of wood
From our Glassboro Correspondent
A large forest fire burned over about two
thousand acres east of Glassboro Monday
last, some Of which was very fine timber.
The land was owned by John P. Whitney,
Solomon H. Stranger, heirs of Woodward
Warrick and others. 1t is stated that A.
r. Handle lost about 81 900 worth of cord
wood. The fire started on the Greentree
Road while VIM. kirkpatrick was burning
Indian grass.
From our Almonesson Correspondent
| What is known as the Horsehead woods
caught fire last Wednesday morning, the
leaves and underbrush being dry and famed
by brisk southwest wind, the flames
swept through the woods at furious rate,
threatening to destroy everything in its
path. John Salzman's house, C. S. Jones'
hot-bed, Roseman & Voght's chicken plant
and E. N. Sapp's plantation in the woods
were all in danger of being burned Mr..
Salzman had a hard fight to save his house.
Mr.. Jones, aided by neighbors, also had a
hard fight to save his hot-beds. Roseman &
Voght's chicken plant was saved by back
firing. Mr.. Sapp, being absent, was igno-
rant of the fire and VIM. Jones, who was
working nearby, informed him of the dan
ger and his property was also saved by
back-fring. The entire tract of timber
land between the Bethel road and Glassboro
stone road was burned The fire lasted
two days and nights and was the largest
witnessed in this vicinity for years. Per
sons burning brush should be more careful.
Their own property might be out Of dan
ger, but Others may suffer much loss by
| the careleSsness.