FIRES--We regret to learn that the dwelling house of O. T. B. Williams, Esq., at Alpena, together with his household goods, was consumed by fire on New Year's Day. This is the first fire which has occurred in the thriving village of Alpena. Mr. Williams' loss was about $1,200. No insurance.--Owosso American, Feb. 6  [Detroit Free Press, February 9, 1862, page 1]

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES!  THE WOODS SOUTH OF ALEPNA IN FLAMES!
The Residence of J. A. Case barely escapes Ruin with a Damage of $300. -- DAMAGE TO CAMPBELL'S LUMBER TRACK ABOUT $150.
Wm. Waltenbury's house and Contents Burned to the Ground! -- THE HOUSE OF A MR. HOY IN ASHES!
About 2 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon an alarm of fire was given, and the steamer was immediately on the way to the scene of action, which was about BUREN COUNTY half a mile south-west of the main part of the city. The woods had been fired west of this place, and a strong, westerly wind prevailing at the time, soon swept the flames toward the Bay Shore in the direction of Campbell's dock. It was some time after the engine arrived before any water could be thrown upon the fast spreading elements, owing to the shallowness of the water in the Bay.-But this obstacle was soon overcome, and in a few minutes two streams were playing with good effect. The smoke and heat were intense, and the brave firemen could stand it but a few minutes at a time to hold the pipes before they had to be relieved by others. All supposed the fire to be in a position where it could be held, (it having reached the rear of the lots on the west side of State street,) when it was discovered that the residence of Jas. A. Case was on fire, some of the cinders having blown to the rear of the building and fallen among some saw dust behind a work bench, and the flames run from the ground, between the siding and plaster, to the garret, and when first seen the smoke was issuing from the roof. The streams were instantly turned upon the house, and it was the work of but a few moments to flood the whole building, from garret to floor, and, although the fire had gained great headway, it was soon quenched. Mr. Case estimates his loss at about $300, which is covered, we believe, by insurance.
After the fire in Mr. Case's house was put out, the firemen again turned their attention to the burning woods, and all worked faithfully till about half-past 7 o'clock, when the fire was about subdued, and the firemen were tired out.  
Some cinders were blown under the barn of Mr. Crowell, but were soon extinguished.
The residence of Mr. J. Hunt caught fire several times, but, we believe, sustained no serious damage.
The fire crossed the railroad used by Mr. Campbell for conveying lumber from the mill to the dock, (a distance of about one mile,) burning and damaging it to the amount of about $150.
The steamer worked to perfection, and did better execution than many thought it capable of, thus saving an immense amount of property.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our worthy firemen, as they worked with a will, and to the satisfaction of all.
It was thought at one time that another fire had broken out in the west part of the city, but fortunately it was only a rumor.
During the afternoon a dense smoke was seen north of the city, and in the evening our reporter learned that the residence of Wm. Waltenbury, a farmer, living three miles north of this city, had been burned to the ground, together with its contents, consisting of three barrels of flour, a large quantity of pork and other provisions, all the household furniture, etc. Even the hens, hogs and geese on the premises were consumed in the flames, so rapidly did they spread. The loss will probably reach the amount of $1,200, with no insurance. Mr. Waltenbury is a hard-working, industrious man, and the loss falls very heavily upon him.
The house of a Mr. Hoy, in the same locality, was also destroyed, together with its contents.  Many others in that vicinity sustained serious losses by the burning of wood, posts, etc. A short distance from the above, P. Cicero had his new house, partly finished, completely destroyed.
James Demster, living about five miles north-east of this city, had his house, barn and other out buildings, with all their contents, burned to the ground, the family barely escaping with their lives. Mr. Demster's loss is probably about $2,000.
The residents at Campbellsville were all obliged to turn out and fight fire in order to save the mills and houses.  At this writing the fire is still raging in different localities, and men are yet hard at work trying to subdue the flames. [Alpena Argus, June 29, 1871, page 3]

FIRE. Last Saturday forenoon our citizens were again called upon to turn out do their upmost to save property from that king of terrors--Fire. The slabs drawn from Lockwood's mill onto grounds near the line between the First and Second Wards, had been fired, and the wind raising, spread the flames toward the river, placing many dwellings and business houses in that vicinity in eminent danger. The fire engine was soon on the spot and at work, and although it was necessary to force the water through over eight hundred feet of hose, and throw the stream directly against the wind, the progress of the flames was soon checked, and the Fire Company returned to the engine house about noon, and firemen being greatly fatigued.
The steamer had been in the house but a short time when a second alarm was given, and the Firemen again rushed forward. The wind had blown the fire to the First Ward, and the sawdust being plentiful, the flames were making great headway. But for the timely arrival of the engine many residents would have been homeless. At one time it was thought impossible to save the house of a Mrs. Nicholson from the raging flames; but after three hours hard work it was considered safe enough to leave, and throw the water in another quarter, and thus stop the flames from spreading further.
About five o'clock the Company returned to the engine house, having checked the spreading fire, which was now under perfect submission.
The Firemen worked well, and were perfectly willing to retire from the scene. [Alpena Argus, July 6, 1871, page 3]


FIRE - HORSE BURNED ALIVE
About two o'clock Sunday morning the barn of S.S. Lewenberg, on State street, was discovered to be on fire. An alarm was sounded, and the fire department promptly responded, but the flames had got such a headway that it was impossible to save the barn and contents. In the barn was a horse, buggy, cutter and many articles. The horse was burned alive. Mr. Lewenberg's loss is over $700, to offset which there was an insurance of $500, in a company of which B.F. Luce & Son are the agents. The loss was promptly adjusted Monday night, and the amount of insurance paid by the company. [Alpena Weekly Argus. (Alpena, Mich.), 14 May 1884]

LUMBER MILL
About 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon an alarm of fire was sent in from the lumber mill of H.R. Morse, a huge structure covering two acres of ground and surrounded by saw dust heaps and piles of refuse lumber. the wind was blowing a fierce gala and the fire soon spread to the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad engine house, which was rapidly consumed. Morse's mill and boarding house went next, and the fire spread on towards to bay.  The Fire Department was helpless, and there was nothing to do but wait until the fire had exhausted itself. Gilchrist's Lumber Dock, with 3,000,000 feet of sawn lumber on it, was soon in flames, and the scene as the big logs fell into the bay and drifted out towards the open lake, all the floating timber being ablaze, was a sight long to be remembered. the burning timber set fire to the Government Light House at the mouth of the river, and it was soon a total loss. while the fire was slowly sweeping down through half a mile of town the people were moving out household goods and carrying valuables back of the town. It was not until midnight that the fire was under control. Over 200 buildings were burned and 1300 persons are homeless. Nine tenths of these are working men, and most of them have no insurance. The loss on these buildings will excel $200,000. Three million feet of lumber belonging to F.W. Gilchrist, Folkerts, McPhee & Co. of Alpena, and Burrows and Burt of Saginaw, valued at $75,000. was also lost. Mrs. Ann McLean, of Buffalo, was burned to death. Mrs. Pulvin, aged 63, is so badly burned that she is not expected to live. Miss Nester and Mrs. Shaeboneau were also seriously burned and may die. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 July 1888; Sub. by BZ]

EXCURSION TRAIN JUMPS INTO DITCH
WRECK AT BLACK RIVER, NEAR ALPENA, MICH., ONE MAN KILLED ; THREE PASSENGERS FATALLY INJURED; 50 PASSENGERS HURT
July 8, 1902: An excursion train on the Detroit & Mackinaw Railway which left here this morning for Saginaw, consisting of one baggage car and 12 coaches and carrying over 500 people was wrecked at Black River, while running forty miles an hour. One man was killed, three were probably fatally injured and nearly fifty others received injuries of various degrees of severity, ranging from bruises and cuts to broken limbs.
The killed:  August Grosinski, Alpena

Following are the most seriously injured:
John McCarthy, Alpena, left arm broken and internal injuries, will probably die
Ernest Latiski, Alpena, right leg broken and probably fatal internal injuries
Jacob Mondorff, Alpena, probably fatal internal injuries
Otto Konowsky, head badly cut and breast injured
Louis Peppler, Alpena, right thigh fractured
George Boyne, buffalo, sprained back and face and neck bruised
Carl Beyer, right leg broken, three toes cut off and head seriously injured
Ernest Desjardin
Jos. Swallow
Thomas Connors
Christian Wolff,
Jerry Sherrette, Bad Axe,
John Beck
J.C. Rorison
Sylvester Kiebba
Chas. McDonald
Mrs. Chas. McDonald
P.J. Goldsmith
The excursion was under the auspices of the German, Aid society of Alpena. when the train reached Black River, the tender jumped the track. Engineer Hooper instantly set the air brake and reversed his engine. the sudden stop threw the first three coaches off the track into the ditch. the first car was thrown half around and the next coach plowed through it and cut it in two.
August Grosiuski, the only person killed was seated in this coach with forty other excursionists. His body was terribly crushed and death was instantaneous. the escape of the others in the car was well nigh miraculous Grosinski's little son occupied the same seat with his father but the lad was uninjured. the three wrecked coaches were piled in a heap and 100 feet of track was torn up. As soon as the occupants of the uninjured coaches recovered from the shock and surprise they rushed to the wrecked cars and began aiding the injured. These were extricated from the wreck with frantic haste and given all possible relief, pending the arrival of the relief train. This train brought eight surgeons from Alpena. After temporary dressings had been made of the most serious wounds all the injured were brought back to this city where the surgeons worked over them until late tonight. [The Duluth News Tribune; July 1902 Contributed by BZ]

1903 Forest Fires

MANY DEAD IN FOREST FIRE SITUATION IN MICHIGAN STEADILY GROWING WORSE.
Fifteen Refugees From Metz Cremated When Their Relief Train turned.
Alpena, Mich.: Every report revived Friday night from the forest fire-swept country to the northwest of this city increases the extent and gravity of the fire situation and the death list which started Friday with the cremating of 15 people In the Metz relief train, Is steadily growing. Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties are all aflame and 75 miles between this city and the city of Cheboygan are reported to be almost a solid mass of fire. Alpena county is a blaze in every direction. Reports of fatalities are coming in from many places but It has been Impossible as yet to compile anything like an authentic list of the fire victims in the burned district. From Metz township Friday night the cremation is reported of Henry Kemps, his wife and two children In their farm house, with a third child missing and probably burned to death In the fields. Bolton, South Rogers and Metz are among the destroyed villages. La Roque is threatened and it is expected that it will be destroyed before morning. Only one church is left at Cathro and it is crowded with refugees. A report brought in from Alconia says a strip 20 miles wide from Hubbard Lake to the Au Sable River is burning. More than 50 farms are reported to have been swept by the fires Friday and their buildings destroyed. Both Cadillac and Traverse City report that the fires In the northeastern part of the state have started again with great force and are threatening those cities. The fire Is only a quarter of a mile away from Traverse City on the southwest. From the upper peninsula come reports that the fires In Chippewa and Houghton counties are very dangerous and spreading rapidly. [Transcribed from the Alma, Wabaunsee Co., KS newspaper; Oct. 23, 1908 Pg 2]