Coyle Meserve, interviewed by Joyce Butler

Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

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.

Dates

Creation: 1976-1980

Creator

Butler, Joyce (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

For digitized items free from access restrictions, we are working to upload this material (pdfs, mp3s, jpgs) for public access, but it is an ongoing project. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, contact Special Collections (um.library.spc@maine.edu).

Extent

From the Collection: 37 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

1239 Coyle Meserve, interviewed by Joyce Butler, July 16, 1977, Dayton, Maine. Meserve discusses the fires of 1947 in Dayton; progression of the fire; tally of lost buildings; burning of his family’s barn and home; use of cider to save a house; aid given by the Red Cross; salvaging timber after the fire; how the town was different after rebuilding; why the forest in 1947 burned so easily; and improvements in firefighting by 1977.