Skip to main content

Arson

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

Austin Wilkins interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
Abstract 1237 Austin Wilkins interviewed by Joyce Butler, March 30, 1977, Augusta, Maine. Wilkins, Fire Control Officer with the Forest Service in 1947, discusses the wildfires of 1947; development of fire bans and woods closures in Maine; open fire dumps; attempts to educate people about the fire dangers in 1947; local phenomenon of heavy winds; cleanup in Acadia National Park; deep burning (underground) fires; 1947 as turning point for mechanization of firefighting; limiting access to fires; why...
Dates: 1976-1980

Champ and Elizabeth Gould, interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
Abstract 1229 Champ and Elizabeth Gould, interviewed by Joyce Butler, June 20, 1977, South Waterboro, Maine. The Goulds talk about the fires of 1947 in the Waterboro area; dry conditions that fall but lack of concern; initial response to the fire being curiosity; use of fuel trucks to carry water; options for dealing with livestock; saving their buildings; men who were unwilling to fight the fire; lack of organization; arsonists; burning of South Waterboro; resurgence of fire from underground; what...
Dates: 1976-1980

Dorothea (Mrs. Fred) Smith, interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
Abstract 1245 Dorothea (Mrs. Fred) Smith, interviewed by Joyce Butler, January 13, 1977, Goose Rocks Beach, Maine. Smith talks about the fire of 1947 in Goose Rocks Beach; how the fire sounded; taking refuge in a neighbor’s house; annoyance that effort was concentrated on saving a farm; thieves and looters; animals fleeing towards the water; fear that her daughter was lost when in fact she was safely asleep elsewhere; the neighbor reunited with his dog; Elliot O’Hara’s art studio losses; National...
Dates: 1976-1980

Frank Handlen, interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
Abstract

1228 Frank Handlen, interviewed by Joyce Butler, September 9, 1977, Kennebunkport, Maine. Handlen discusses his experience of the 1947 wildfires in the Biddeford – Kennebunkport area; sight of the smoke; fire coming through and description of it; a man who saved his house; lack of organized firefighting; fire lingering in a bog and loss of trees; how Goose Rocks burned; and a house that was spared.

Dates: 1976-1980

Lawrence T. Dolby, interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
Abstract 1227 Lawrence T. Dolby, interviewed by Joyce Butler, July 14, 1977, Saco, Maine. Dolby discusses the fires of 1947; his duties as State Fire Inspector; the dry conditions that fall; lack of public understanding of the situation and danger; failure to fully extinguish fires when they died down at night; his duties in 1947, particularly dealing with cases of arson; force of the fire and hot air; destructive impact of the fires; fires pulling the community together; firefighters from Boston...
Dates: 1976-1980

Martin V. B. Wildes, interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
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;...
Dates: 1976-1980

W. Charles Smith, Sr., interviewed by Joyce Butler

 Series
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.

Dates: 1976-1980