Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
FIRE FIGHTERS WEARY
Ready to Yield Victory to For
est Flames.
DROUGHT SERIOUS MENACE
1ncendiaries Reported at Work in
the Pennsylvania Woods.
PAIL OF SMOKE ALONG COAST
Blazes in Adirondacks, Maine, Con-
necticut and Pennsylvania Re-
ported Making Progress.

tricts of the eastern portion of the
United States and southern Canada
has enshrouded the entire section be-
meath a murky pail, so heavy in some
places as to obscure the sun and
through a wide area to interfere
seriously with transportation and va
r.ous occupations of everyday life.
The haze is not confined to land.
Smoke banks extend we'll off the coast
and enfold the routes Of coastwise
and, In part, Of transatlantic shipping
in their hampering embrace.
From Canada to Maryland.
From the Canadian woods and the
forests of Maine down through the
Adirondack region to the Catskills and
beyond to the Pennsylvania lumber
regions fires are burning. In the imme-
date vicinity OF these fires. which OF
themselves are causing heavy damage.
the coluds are ascending to the regions
of the steady air currents, seemingly
driven eastward for the most part.
The fires themselves have in some
localities held up railroad transporta-
ton. In others. even far removed,
they have SO thickened the atmosphere
as to make fast running dangerous.
In few cases yesterday ball games
In some Of the leagues had to be con-
cluded earlier than usual because OF
the premature darkness brought about
by heavy smoke.
Fires Spread and Progress.
Reports last night from the woods
of Maine and Pennsylvania and from
the Adirondacks in New York state
indicate that the fires are progressing
and spreading. In the Catskills in
New York state the situation I'M
proved. the patrols reporting that they
have the fires under control.
A drenching rain Is greatly needed
all through the forest sections of the
east. In many places prayers are
being offered up for this relief, not
only to check the forest fires but to
break the drouth which is felt in many
sections.
Ready to Abandon Fight.
BALSTON. n. Y. September 19.-Fores
county are the most disastrous in the his
tory OF that section Of the state.
Already hundreds of acres of WOODLAND
have been destroyed. The flames ar,
sweeping onward.
Men who have been fighting fire for ;
week are exhausted and will soon bay,
to give up the fight. The only hope O
checking the fire is in rain.
A fire is sweeping over Mount McGregor
1t is feared that the historic cottag,
where Gen. Grant died will be destroyed
Grant Cottage in Danger.
Special Dispatch to The Star
SARATOGA SPRINGS, n. Y, septem
Der 19.-The Grant cottage at Mount Nc
Gregor, Saratoga county is in the patti
of a forest fire, which has been burnint
for several days in the neighboring tow
of Greenfield
The wind has been blowing in such
direction that the flames have been KEEP
five or six miles distant Should tn.
winds change and no rain fall, however
it is feared that the flames may reach til,
mountain.
In the cottage. which is preserved b,
New York state, President Grant spent hi
last hours.
Forest fires have destroyed large ouan
titles of timber in the northern part O.
the county. Glass Factory mountain Il
now atire.
Catskills Fires Abated.
ALBANY, N. Y. September 1a.-Col
William F. Fox. state superintendent OF
forests, who has been in the Catskills di
recting the fight against the forest fires
returned here tonight. He reports that al
the fires there are now under control
The authorities were advised today from
Glenns Falls of a fire extending from
Stony creek down the west side of the
Hudson river.
Connecticut Fires Spread.
CANAAN, Conn, September 19.-The
forest fires which have been burning or
the hills for the past three days are still
blazing fiercely. A large force Of mer
spent last night digging trenches around
the base of Tom mountain in an effort to
check the flames.
Bear mountain, the highest point in
northwestern Connecticut, has been prac-
tical1y burned over. People in that Sec
ton and those living near the Canaan
mountains fought the fires all night tC
prevent their spreading to their homes.
An area Of over 500 acres has already
been burned over.
Only Hope Lies in Rain.
AUGUSTA, Maine, September 10
The raZing Of vast sections of timber
lands by forest fires continued without
noticeable decrease today.
1t was estimated that up to today the
damage by forest fires. including the
destruction to wild lands and in incor-
porated towns, aggregated more than
100000.
In the showers predicted for today
lies the only relief possible for the sit
uation. The hundreds Of men who have
eXerted almost every ounce of energy
during the past three days cannot last
under the strain much longer. Should
they cease their efforts at any time the
fires might communicate with each
other making a stretch of blazing
woodland that would embrace hundreds
of homes.
Wind Brings Relief.
ELLSWORTH, Maine, September 49,
The forest fire situation had improved
somewhat in Hancock county early to-
day. owing to slight shift of the wind
which took it away from the imme-
diate danger points at South Brooks
Vile and Surrey villages and the West
Hancock settlement.
At BrOoksville the fire had not sue
ceeded in crossing the brook and mead.
ows which divide the town and where
fire lighters made desperate stand
At Surrey the drift of the wind was TAX.
ing the fire past the village to the north.
Only a few scattered dwellings were in
danger
The Hancock fire, which Yesterday
threatened the West Hancock settlement
had turned and was running toward the
Ellsworth-Lamoine road. where but few
luz urAr in hn1