Fire at Skyland and Summit October 1887. Article from Santa_Cruz_Surf_and_Superior_California_Farmer Oct 11 1887 page 3, col 2
permalink https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SCDS18871011.1.3
Courtesy of the California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside, http://cdnc.ucr.edu
FIRE SWEPT.
Ravages of the Fire Fiend Along the Santa Cruz Summit.
WIDESPREAD RUIN.
Burrill School House, Several Barns and Bridges, Miles of Fencing and Hundreds of Cords of Wood Burned. Owing to the meager intelligence received from the scene of the forest fires that have been raging since Saturday in the direction of the Summit and Highland, a Surf reporter was detailed to visit the scene of the fires and report the extent of damage done by the devouring element. On our arrival at the Liston place on the San Jose road about one-half mile north of the Hotel de Redwood, we found the advance guard of the fire fighters Messrs. M. H. Miller and P. K. Kanouff, resting by the roadside and watching the roaring flames as they swept onward up the hill. At this point the fire had been prevented from crossing the road and by the untiring energy and perseverance of the fire fighters the buildings of the Liston property were saved. From the above named gentlemen we were informed that the fire was discovered on the Highland ridge at about 5 p. m. on Saturday. A strong wind was blowing and the flames leaped from tree to tree in rapid succession and before anything could be done to stay the flames the entire mountain was ablaze. Wm. Sear’s barn was soon consumed with its contents several tons of hay. P. K. Kanouff’s property adjoining was swept over by the flames. Heroic attempts were made to save the barn but without avail, and at 7 :30 on Saturday evening it was consumed with its entire contents. Mr. Kanouff also lost all the fencing on his place, 40 cords of wood, 4,000 fence pickets, and in fact every thing on the place except the house and it was saved only by almost superhuman efforts of Mr. Kanouff and his family, and particularly the ladies of the family. Mrs. Kanouff’s mother, a Lady of 82 years of age assisted on the occasion with all the sprightliness of her grand children, in the work of saving their residence. Mr.Kanouffs loss is estimated at $500. For sometime great anxiety was felt by Judge Anson S. Miller and his sons for the safety of the fine residence belonging to the Judge. Their barn was saved by the merest chance. Their loss consists mostly of fencing, four miles of which was destroyed and about 12 cords of wood. $1,000 will not cover their loss. John Keast lost all his fencing, several cords of wood, his barn filled with hay, and all of his dried fruit amounting to over a ton. $1,500 will hardly cover his loss. The fencing on the place adjoining belonging to Mr. Thos Slaughter was speedily licked up by the flames and a number of his orchard trees badly scorched. Mr. Slaughter’s loss was mainly 70 cords of wood. His house and out buildings were in great danger for many hours. Several miles of fencing was destroyed on the adjoining property of Professor Allen and the Norton place. On both of these places quite a number of orchard trees were scorched. At the Allen place our progress along the county road was blocked by fallen trees a detour through several orchards brought us again on the county road and beyond the limit of the burnt district in that direction. On the ridge to the northward in the direction of McCrackens, acres of fire was to be seen, and to that point our attention was directed. At Montgomerys we found no one at home but the ladies of the family, who felt great anxiety for the safety of the premises. At Jackson McCrackens we found thirty or forty men at work fighting the fire away from the buildings. A short distance, not 200 yards away, the brushy mountain side was all ablaze a continuance of the favorable direction of the wind was all that their hopes of saving the buildings was based upon. I have no hopes of saving our buildings, said Mrs. McCracken as we took our departure. Along the line of the road, in the direction of Wrights Arbor Villa, considerable fencing was destroyed. A man was stationed on the roof of J. Karrs house, and as we passed along a tall column of flame shot up within a tew rods of the house. About a dozen men were here at work. All the places along the ridge suffered the loss of fencing. Andrew Finney lost 20 cords of wood and considerable fencing. Wm. Dacon had three-eighths of a mile of fence destroyed. On the Judge Hall place 50 rods. On the Wilcox place one-fourth of a mile. Arriving at A. E. Sears we found an asli heap where his barn stood. Its contents, consisting of a barn full of hay, farming tools, two wagons and harness, and nearly all the fencing on the place were destroyed. Mr. Sears estimates his loss at not less than $1,000, not counting the damage to his trees and vines. A large hole was burned in the roof of Mr. Sears house, and it was only saved by timely aid coming to the assistance of Mr. Sears who was bravely endeavoring to extinguish the fire. The school house near by was entirely destroyed, with all the school furniture. Nothing was saved but the organ and the library books. Estimated loss of building and furniture $1,300. Mrs. Burrells house was on fire in several places, but aid arrived in time to save it. She lost about one-half of her fencing. At Wrights considerable fencing was burned. Hi Morrels ranch also received a scorching, and considerable damage was done to the fencing. The
origin of the fire is not definitely known. It started from the north side of Los Gatos creek and is believed to have been set by one of the settlers for the purpose of burning the brush. The heavy gale blowing at the time soon swept it beyond his control. For forty-eight hours, with scarcely any rest, the entire settlement have been actively at work fighting the fire, and judging from the feeling of those whose property has been so wantonly jeopardised and destroyed, it would be hardly safe for the party who caused the mischief to linger around that neighborhood if he were known. The territory burned over is a strip about two miles wide by about eight long, from Los Gatos creek up and over the ridge to and through the heavily timbered Skyland ridge. The loss in buildings, fencing, wood and other property will amount to from ten to fifteen thousand dollars. The damage to orchard and vineyard property cannot as yet be estimated. It is hardly possible to make an estimate of the amount of timber destroved, but the loss will aggregate thousands of dollars. Among the heaviest loosers are P. K. Kanouff, Anson S. Miller & Sons, John Keast, A. E. Sears and Thomas Slaughter. Along the county road several bridges were destroyed but no estimate of the damage in this direction can be given at the present time. An eye witness described the conflagration as the most terribly-grand sight that they had ever witnessed. The smoke settled down as a black cloud that turned day into night as it were. The roar of the flames as they swept up the tall trees was deafening inspiring a feeling of terror that words could not express. An experience never to be forgotton.
