I36 . NINTH REPORT OF THE 



Wl)at fl)e People Had to 3a^. 



Mr. Harvey J. De Silva, a citizen of Grant Mills, Delaware County. — I have 

 a brier patch which I want to burn over. It is contiguous to my woodlands, 

 with a front of only ten rods. I apply for permission to do so, providing you 

 will permit me to inform our district firewarden, Mr. Everett Butler, to be present 

 at my expense. The forest is in full leaf now, and I am sure that by diligent 

 effort this proposed fire can be controlled. I do not wish to disobey our laws, 

 and therefore make this request of you.* 



Mr. Reuben Lawrence, custodian of the John Brown Farm, North Elba,. 

 Essex County. — Please come here at once. The firewarden, Mr. Byron Brewster, 

 was here this morning and said he would like to have a private talk with you 

 right away. He wants you to see the condition the fires are in near the 

 John Brown Farm and other State lands. The men are doing all they can to keep 

 it from the house. The fire is under control now, but I cannot tell how long it 

 will stay so if the wind comes up. We are living in hopes that God will send rain 

 in a short time to help the poor men that are trying to keep the fire down. All 

 the men in this town are tired out and sick and exhausted. Still they will have 

 to work. The firewarden is doing all he can. 



Mr. Fred Clemens, Lassellsville, Fulton County. — The origin of that fire was 

 a peculiar one, and I would be pleased to have the board pass upon it. It was 

 set by school children whom the teacher sent into the woods to gather flowers. 

 A teacher whom the State helps to pay I should consider the first cause; therefore 

 I believe the State is responsible to a certain extent for the damage done. This 

 person whom the State has sent out as a proper one to manage children has caused 

 me this great damage, and I think the State ought to help me bear the loss. 



Mr. William S. De Camp, Fulton Chain, Herkimer County. — I telegraphed 

 Mr. Emmons and you yesterday under the spur of a raging fire. I addressed 

 myself also to Firewarden Parsons, who replied that he "thought he had done 

 pretty well for me." He gave me the following authority in writing: "In my 

 capacity as firewarden I hereby deputize you to hire and pay men to extinguish 

 the fires." I proceeded to engage men upon the strength of the above. I have 

 good evidence that the railroad, up to last Saturday, continued to use defective 

 engines through this district, thereby continuing to set fires. Roberts, the dis- 

 trict firewarden, has just now telephoned me in reply to a request for help 

 that he "cannot be everywhere." I address this note to Colonel Fox in 

 particular, as I am personally acquainted with him and am in communication 

 with him on this matter by telegraph; also knowing that he will connect up with 

 the proper authorities. 



Permission was refused. — W. F. F. 



