wind was blowing so hard and the timber was so dry. The fire was 

 checked the next day (May ist) by the weather becoming cold. 



Mr. B. L. Reynolds, Reynoldston, Franklin county. The district 

 burned over was mostly brush and wild lands. It was not very valu- 

 able, but it was quite near to buildings, and work was directed prin- 

 cipally to protecting these. It is almost impossible to extinguish 

 fires completely now. The best one can do is to be sure it is out all 

 around the edge far enough so that it will not throw sparks. But to 

 put out absolutely all old logs, stumps, etc., all over the tract would 

 take a whole pond of water. This fire (June 9) came from the ad- 

 joining town of Dickinson, and could be controlled only on the virgin 

 forest land. It was held there by continual work until rain came. 



Mr. Benjamin A. Muncil, Paul Smith's, Franklin county. I had 

 miles of ditches dug. 



Mr. Fremont F. Smith, Loon Lake, Franklin county. The timber 

 on some of these burned lots is falling down. I think something 

 should be done in regard to the donkey engines they are using on the 

 new road which they are building. They have burned the whole 

 country up now, and they are going to run up to the outlet of Loon 

 Lake with them in a few days. We cannot keep men enough over 

 there to keep the fire out, as they start flames wherever they go. I 

 don't think they are using any screens at all. 



Mr. Perkins Smith, St. Regis Falls, Franklin county. I went over 

 the burned area 300 acres and found that it was entirely virgin 

 forest, heavily timbered with white pine. But I think this pine will 

 not die for two or three years yet. The hardwood had been cut 

 before this fire occurred, but a large amount of pulp timber was 

 standing which was badly damaged. Shall I allow men pay for 

 fighting fire on their own lands ? The point in question is this : The 

 agent for O. P. Dexter has worked his men in connection with other 

 men warned out to fight fire on Dexter's land. 



Mr. A. N. Skiff, Onchiota, Franklin county. There were times 

 when the men were away in other places fighting fire, and so I got 

 the women out to help. If I hadn't done so nothing could have 

 stopped the fire from burning every building for miles around here 

 The women fought two nights all night long, and waded brooks clear 

 to their knees. I say they fought fire better than the men, they were 

 that scairt, and were more thorough in putting it out than the men 

 were. I kept their time the same as the men and made out their 

 account and swore to it, and then the town firewarden would not 

 allow them anything for it. The board said they ought to have it as 

 well as the men, but he wouldn't allow it. When Henry Paye was 

 firewarden he had to get the women out in some places, and he 



