The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GREAT FIRE OF 1874

THIS FIRE BURNED DOWN THE WHOLE TOWN. THERE WERE THREE CITIES
AT THAT TIME, AND THE FIRE STARTED IN WEST SAGINAW. THE FIRE
STARTED AT A SAWMILL BY THE BRIDGE. IT CROSSED THE BRIDGE,
BURNING DOWN THE BRIDGE IN THE PROCESS, AND THEN BURNED EAST
SAGINAW. THERE IS A LEGEND THAT A PRIEST WALKED AROUND ST MARY'S
HOSPITAL ALL DURING THE FIRE AND IT WAS SPARED. THE PRIEST WAS
SAYING HIS BRIEVIARY THE WHOLE TIME. EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND THE
HOSPITAL WAS BURNED.

Submitter comment: THE FACT THAT THE TOWN WAS BUILT ON SAWDUST HAD SOMETHING TO DO
WITH THE WAY THE FIRE SPREAD EVERYWHERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CIRCUMAMBULATION