Flames in New Sweden. O. Iverson’s Mill and All Other Buildings Burned Friday—$5,000 in Lumber Consumed—Eleven Houses Burned in All—Some of the Swamp Fires Extinguished Sunday.

(Special Correspondence.) Forest fires are raging in all the swamps around New Sweden, and sometimes advancing high on the upland. Unless rain comes soon, it seems as if everything within reach will be consumed.

Last Friday a fire was started in the swamp near which O. Iverson’s mill was located, and in less than one hour the entire plant, consisting of seven buildings, was destroyed by the flames, together with all the machinery in the mill and all merchandise in the store. The rift and spruce lumber in the yard, estimated at $5,000.00 in value, was consumed, as were also the machinery and agricultural implements store in the warehouse. It was an awful sight to see the flames sweep everything off and leave the bare ground, hardly any ashes remaining to tell the tale.

At the same time a house owned and occupied by N. Landin, and a house and barn owned by C. Nelson were burned. A few things that were saved from the houses and left confidently at what was thought to be a safe distance were also destroyed. Another house belonging to Mr. Nelson, the engineer at the mill, was also burned,—in all eleven houses were destroyed with all their contents. Nothing was saved. Household goods, wearing apparel, in fact everything, were destroyed.

While some of the residents of the western addition were trying to get across the swamp to assist at Iverson’s, an alarm was sounded from the centre swamp, and looking that way a smoke was seen thick enough to hide the sun. A rush was made for the houses lying within range of the fire. Among these were Carl Erickson’s fam buildings and the Tornquist mill plant. A serious fight was had with the flames to save C. Erickson’s place.

When Saturday arrived it was plain to everyone that a hot day was coming, but by the most extraordinary exertions the mill was saved. Had it not been for the lesson given the day before of the danger at hand, it is doubtful whether sufficient numbers of men would have been on hand to master the fire and save the mill.

Sunday morning saw most of the male portion of New Sweden busy in the swamps extinguishing fire—and a good precaution it was. Little danger was apprehended by this time, and no farther damage happened here; but in Woodland the fire gained the upper hand, and destroyed John Hagland’s place. Several other places were severely threatened, but escaped.

Monday morning a fire was discovered in Madawaska swamp, bearing directly down on the schoolhouse and neighboring farmhouses, but watchful care, plenty of water and a sufficient number of men at hand saved everything.

We are anxiously waiting for rain, not only to extinguish the smoldering fires but to revive our now famishing crops. If this drought lasts long, we are afraid of dire results.

Stories from Maine Swedish Colonists