FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 249 



and spreading rapidly. All went to work with a will. I employed all who came, and 

 they went to work with hemlock boughs whipping out the flames. We soon began to 

 conquer the fire in the leaves, but the dead trees, stumps and logs were still blazing, 

 and occasionally a fresh brand of fire would be blown beyond us, and start a fire in 

 a new place. We worked all the evening fighting fire. 



The section boss on the railroad was notified of the fire, and he responded promptly 

 with all his men. They brought shovels and pails, rendering valuable assistance until 

 we had the fire under control. We then went away and got our suppers, after which 

 two of the men returned. They found considerable fire, and remained all night. They 

 carried hundreds of pails of water. 



This fire started near the railroad track, and ran east towards the lake. There is 

 an extensive swamp between the railroad and the lake, but it was nearly dry, and the 

 fire spread nearly across the ravine. The muck and a large amount of leaves, limbs and 

 dead trees were on fire, and if the flames had got in the woods beyond the swamp, in 

 which there are many beautiful cottages, much damage would have been done. It 

 was to prevent this that I sent the two men back for the night, and they had a very 

 busy night. Four or five acres were burned over. The fire was in two places. 



October 29th another fire was started in the lake woods. I was notified by Albert 

 West, and taking some help with me went to the place. I found the railroad men had 

 put out most of the fire ; but it would have spread again if we had not stayed and 

 finished the job. This fire was on the lands of the late S. W. Buell, on the west side 

 of the railroad. About one-quarter of an acre was burned over. 



H. D. Stone, Firewarden for the town of Luzerne, reports : 



On May 10th a fire broke out in the town of Luzerne, on lands owned by Wilson 

 Smead, caused by parties burning a fallow. It ran over about 100 acres of land belong- 

 ing to private individuals, causing damage to the amount of $500. I ordered out six 

 men as soon as I heard of it, and after fighting fire all night put it out with the aid of 

 other parties. 



Sullivan County. 



William Ruddick, Firewarden for the town of Lumberland, reports: 



We had two forest fires during the past year. One occurred May 25th, and one 



October 26th, covering about 400 acres of land in all. The damage amounted to 



about $400. 



Warren County. 



William Merrill, Firewarden for the town of Johnsburgh, reports : 

 May 21st, 1895, there was a fire on Edwards' Hill, on or near Lot 149. It is 

 supposed to have been started by a fishing party, by throwing down a lighted cigar or 



