Butler, Joyce

Abstract 1252 Martin V. B. Wildes, interviewed by Joyce Butler, April 3, 1977, Kennebunk, Maine. Wildes discusses the fire of 1947 in Kennebunkport; progression of the fire, particularly around Cape Porpoise; speed of the destruction; description of fire as all flames and no smoke; loss of equipment due to rapid approach of fire; fighting spot fires in Wildes Town; bulldozing a trench which stopped the fire; equipment used to fight the fire; lack of communication; changes in firefighting after 1947;...

Abstract

1234 Joyce Butler, reading letter to the editor of The Bar Harbor Times from Mrs. S.V. Morris of Somesville, Maine, dated October 26, 1947. Morris wrote about the fires of 1947; description of her neighborhood during the fire; mutual aid in the community; evacuation of Bar Harbor; and description of a drive around the island.

Abstract 1250 Violette Wallace and Linwood Wallace, interviewed by Joyce Butler, May 4, 1977, Bar Mills, Maine. The Wallace siblings discuss the fires of 1947 in Bar Mills; the dry conditions that fall; Violette’s work at the Bar Mills telephone exchange; evacuation and how unprepared they were to evacuate; falling leaves on fire; fire-related calls Violette took; theft of furniture; Linwood’s first aid work, paid by his employer Saco Hospital; injuries related to the fire; how the fire changed the...

Abstract

1235 W. Charles Smith, Sr., interviewed by Joyce Butler, December 12, 1977, Saco, Maine. Smith talks about the fires of 1947 in York County; progression of the fire around Saco; attempts of homeowners to keep houses wet; fighting side fires; dead animals; areas and buildings that did not burn; talk of arson which he did not believe; and the community’s fire consciousness afterwards.

Abstract 1248 Warren L. Walker and Marjorie Walker, interviewed by Joyce Butler, interviewed by Joyce Butler, February 16, 1977, Clark’s Mills, Hollis, Maine. The Walkers talk about the fires of 1947 in Hollis; the assumption that fire departments would take care of the fires; what the fires department had for equipment; how the fire burned; National Guard brought in to prevent looting; crediting the Navy for saving Clark’s Mills; Mr. Walker’s work directing traffic and equipment; inability to use...

Scope and Contents

The “Wildfire Loose” Collection consists of a series of 37 interviews conducted by Joyce Butler in preparation for her book of the same title about the fires in Maine in October 1947. Donated in 1979.