THE MICHIGAN FIRES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 447, 4 November 1881, Page 21

THE MICHIGAN FIRES.

Detboit, Mich., Sept. B.— Every hour brings more horrible etories from the fire regions of Sanilac , Huron and Tuscola counties. Money, medicines and surgical aid are being sent from Port Huron and Detroit. There are no particulars, but it is known that over 200 men, women and children were burned to death in Sanilac county alone, and as many as 160 more in Huron. Thousands of families are homeless and almost naked. The village of Forest Bay and Huron City, both in Huron County, are gone. The Evening News special from Sandusky, Sanilac County, reports the entire central portion of that county was burned over and scarcely anything left. Twenty-three dead bodies were found along the roadside in Moore, Argyle, Ouster, and Waterton townships ; within fifteen miles of Minden over 200 persons are known to have been burned to death. The latest reports increase the horror of the disaster. The fire came with a hurricane of wind on Monday at noon, and the whole heavens seemed on fire. The inhabitants thought of nothing but to escape with their lives. Relief trains and boats are being sent from here to-day. Provisions, clothing, bedding, and all the necessaries of life are needed. Thousands of people who are destitute must be supported for months. In parts of Sanilac County it is feared that a pestilence will breed from the dead cattle, horses and sheep. Detroit to-day is emptying the stores of provisions, loading them on boats and sending them forward, the merchants having met and decided to help all they could. A special from reputable citizens of Leamington says dead bodies are being brought in from all directions. It is now known that 600 were killed in Sanilac County.

Detroit, Sept. 9. — Thus far it has been impossible to secure a complete list of the dead. Rev. Z. Crenelle, pastor of the First Baptist Church in this city, who was in Sanilac County at the time of the fire, saw fourteen dead bodies brought into Sand Beach, blackened and shapeless masses in most cases. Even the sex could not be determined. In places he saw whole groups of dead, apparently families, reduced to an indistinguishable mass of roasted and blackened blocks of flesh. Near Deckerville, Rev. W. F. Allington found sixteen dead bodies. Around Lexington those known to have perished are Humphrey Hegdriver, Mrs. Frank Dennison, sister and child, Paul Wetzel, wife and five children, Mrs. Strong and two children, George Kratch, Michael Welsh, wife and two children, Paul Whitelese, wife and five children, James Gibson and two sisters. In Paris township John Flyte Wager and wife and seven children and fifteen unknown persons perished, as also did Morris Clifford, wife and child, and the entire Day family of eight persons.

The fire crisis in Huron and Sanilac counties has passed, bat sickening details continue to come. Two hundred and fifteen families have been burned out in the towns of Marlett, Flynn, Argyle, Evergreen. Moore, Lamatte and Elmer, and thirty-two deaths are reported. The fires in the burning district are mostly out now, and the disconsolate, many with their eyes burned out, scarred, disfigured, and not a few demented, lie around the piles of ashes where only a few days ago they dwelt in comfort. Many persons are missing, and the exact loss of life cannot be known for some days yet. It is said that no less than twenty-seven dead bodies have already been found between Badane and Port Huron.