Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-06
FOREST FIRES RAzE|
BUILDINGS IN PATH
Flames Sweeping Mountain
Timber Land in ManYy
Places.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CUMBERLAND. Md. August 6.-The
destruction of Wills Mountain Inn, on
Wills Mountain. overlooking Cumber-
land, late yesterday afternoon, having
caught from the forest fire that had
been spreading over the mountain the
past few days, was complete. The
building went so rapidly that neither
Angeles H. Bacas of Washington, own
er and manager, nor his wife, could
have their clothing. Mrs. Bacas was
about to put the dinner on the table
and summon Mr.. Bacas. who was on
the porch, reading a Washington paper,
when the building. which was of frame
and native stone construction, went up
like finder
There happened to be no guests at
the time, although about IL had been
entertained the previous night. The
building, erected more than 80 years
ago by the late J. Henry Holzshu, was
of striking architecture, with native
stone blending artistically in its con-
Struction, while the interior wood dec
Grafton was of original design and
massive. The building was filled with
antique furniture
Cottage Destroyed.
The fire also destroyed the cottage
of DR.. James T. johnson. on the noun
III
was occupied by the tenant of DR..
Johnsons farm, which adjoined the inn
property. The barn did not burn, but
1t was feared it would be prey to the
flames, as there was regular inferno
all about it. The timber loss will be
great.
For the first time f1refighters are be-
ing drafted in Cumberland and taken
to the fire sectors in trucks. Several
Av.vxa Jr l1nT 10 cf
night. A number of young men, includ-
ing some boys home from college, have
deserted the streets in fear of the draft.
North Cumberland Adults on the base
of Wills Mountain on the east side and
should the fire start down the east side
st would endanger porperty in that end
OF the city. Once going the fire
sweeps with almost terrifying rapidity
and nothing can stop it. The timber is
so dry that the flames eat up large
tree in almost an instant.
Scores of Men Drafted.
The drafting of men by the score in
towns in the Georges Creek section to
fight the forest fires, which continue to
spread with great rapidity Is in progress.
Most all now seem willing to go, and
one of the problems is to feed the
fighters This has been met to great
degree by the Red Cross, the Cumber-
land Chapter having been appealed to
by its Homecoming branch to furnish
sandwiches for the hreflghters on Dams
Mountain. where the fire has stretched
20 miles and is miles deep. The wom-
en- OF Homecoming have been sending
sandwiches to the fighters for three
days, taking the rations from their own
larders. The Red Cross has now taken
charge of the work under the manage
ment .of Miss Nellie Sloan of Lonacon-
ing, at whose house the food Will be
prepared daily.
Nine hundred men are now engaged
In fire fighting, nearly all in the Dams
Mountain sector, and it is expected the
number will swell to $500 before IN
roads of the flames may be checked.
The flames are rolling over the east sloe
of the mountain toward the Potomac
River and Crasaptown, near where the
plant of the Celenese Corporation OF
America is located, but this is not con-
sidered in danger.
Frostburg sent about 80 men to Dams
Mountain yesterday and large volun-
teer force representing most every walk
in life left in trucks and automobiles at
midnight Smaller fires are reported
from the Frostburg section one at Mid
lothian requiring the efforts OF about
40 men to Subdue 1t; another at Req
Hill. above the mine of the Sullivan
Bros. Coal Co, where 20 men were sent
to reinforce the gang fighting there, and
another near Centennial street, Frost
burg close to the city line, which is be-
ing battled by the Frostburg Fire De-
partment with the assistance of large
number of boys.
The top of Dams Mountain is burning
for miles. The Llewellyn Bros. farms,
Uriah Loar farm and several others are
In grave danger. Dams Rock the noted
scenic spot and probably the highest
point in Maryland is completely sur
rounded by fire, The fire wardens are
urging the men to especially help pro-
tect the farm buildings