126 NINTH REPORT OF THE 



Mr. George H. McKinney, Ellenburg, Franklin County. — The fire did not run 

 much until a high wind drove it over a large area. On April thirtieth the wind 

 blew again very hard, and it was then that nearly the whole tract of 500 acres was 

 burned over. The Spruce had been mostly cut off, leaving only hardwoods. 

 The fire ran in the Spruce tops left in the woods. I could not get men enough 

 to stop it, as the wind was blowing so hard and the timber was so dry. The fire 

 was checked the next day (May first) 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 valuable, but it was quite 

 near to buildings, and work was principally directed 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 ninth) came from the adjoining 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 scared, 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 



