Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-06-11
FIERCE FOREST FIRES.
Timber Loss in Vermont Mounts Up |
20 Hundred Thousands.

4
ed near Waterbury Center, May 81
and spread over the mountain reached
Mount Hunger in Middlesex abou
IL 80 a. m, June 8. At just l O'Clock
in the afternoon the woods on Noun
Hunger were all ablaZe, the flames
having been driven by the fiercely
blowing wind distance of four miles
in about one hour and half. The fire
increased in velocity and volume al
| this time to such an extent that Oscar
| Uttons wife, who was in their shanty
on the mountain at the time, barely es-
capped with her lite by the aid of men
who were fighting the fire at that place
The great district OF timberland in that
section has been stripped of branches
and leaves so that all that remains OF
the forest is the standing trunks OF
trees as bare as telephone poles.
=. j. John and William McAY0y had
400 900 feet OF spruce timber cut and
piled. all of which was burned in the
twinkling OF an eve, so that their loss
was almost total, amounting 10 about
S.. 600. G. G. Putnam had about 900
acres OF woodland on this mountain
burned over. The total loss was esti-
mated at $4,000. The fire jumped ten
rods at a time, burning timber flying
through the air and starting fresh fires
in the line of the wind. The fire burn
ed down the mountain to the clearing.
and even the pastures burned. All the
game, deer, rabbits and other animals.
including hundreds OF hedgehogs,
sought refuge in the swamps. They
were frightened at nothing but the fire.
At Castleton fire started a fortnight
ago near K. II. Walkers on the lake
road and spread to Cassidy's woods
and pasture, destroying much timber,
winter supply OF wood and grass land.
Ii spread into adjoining woods owned
by Mulvey Mexican and Patrick Muir
Their. The air for miles around was
filled with smoke, producing peculiar
yellow light. Burned leaves were
blown into the streets aud dooryards.
Deluge Hose company OF West Leb-
anon, n. H., was called ont June 2 10
light a forest fire a short distance from
the northern part Of the village The
Forest fires in Ferdinand. CRANKY
and Lewis ragged furiously. destroying
thousands Of acres OF timber.
The old hand engine from M0ntpel-
er, with "A crew OF four men, was sent
% Lanesboro, in Marshdeld. June 2.
~ special train 10 protect the Goslart
mill and the railroad property at that
)laee. The men remained during the
lignts returning to Montpelier IN the
morning and reporting the danger TO
he property at Lanesboro passed.
The fire at that place went over what
5 known as Owl Head mountain and
worked toward peacham pond. three
niles away. All through this territory
sas valuable timber land. This fire |
egan at Niggerhead pond SUNDAY |
fternoon, May 5, and had been burn
~ constantly since. The loss Is va
lousy estimated from 81. 900 to S25,-
Do. June ?, COO acres of land had |
cen burned over.
AT Middlebnry the flames got into
oseph Battell's 40.000-acre timber
Its. In the village, had Il not been /
n the promptness OF all the nelghbors 1
n thl south end OF Case street. the
roperty OF George Chaifee, Frank II
uller, William Fales estate. Lancy
orbes and Guideon Abbey would no II
oubt have been consumed. as the fire
as within a few rods OF their build- Il
Igs and was checked with great diff
lily. Water had TO be drawn with
ans some distance and in some cas-
bitches We're dug with horses and
ows.and rail. board and brush fences
ere taken down for many rods to
sep the fire from burning them up
I'd spreading.
over $50 acres of timber land were
lrned IN South Wallingiord, June !.
I'd almost the entire male population
the village turned out to tight the
'es.
AT East Elmore. small hamlet .
here are located a sawmill, store and
veral dwelling houses. II was feared
G whole place would be wiped out
me 1, furniture was removed from =
uses and families were all camping
| In pastures. over 100 men from !,
surrounding territory were there
light the flames.
Forest fires have been causing I'M 7
d loss in various parts of Chittenden
anty. In Milton. Colchester ana
Iarlotte the woods have been burning I
q miles OF fences destroyed.
sparks from an engine caught in
1ye at Queen City park. June 4. and t
burning of the buildings was mar
WY averted. Some 1000 acres Of +
'odland in Colchester has been burn
over.
lver 1000 acres Of heavy timber T
d at Dandy, owned BY ex-senator
as /. Griffith, have already been de- II
owed.
Stand Pond was fire-encircled. and
usands OF acres OF black stumps ad
" the immense damage. =,
Ire in the edge of Reading de- .
'yed 500 cords OF dry wood belong
to F. 5. Mckenzie of Woodstock
owns the wooden mill in the edpe