Brokenhea

  

   

THE MUNICIPALITY OF TACHE’

 

        

OSS

 

ish Creek south of Sainte-Geviev

d river eas 0f Diversion channels and MJR wells

 

 

Anecdote of the 1863 fire
Letter dated June 5, 1863, from Father Mestre (SHSB - Picton Cahier 2 - page 267)

 

Another true calamity recently added to their grief and took
one of the country’s nicest resources. The Sauteux set fire in the great
pine and spruce forest. This desolated Bishop Taché.

Spring roads had not permitted the barking of the lumber and

everything burnt.

A young Canadian (J.B.Desautels) had bought a saw mill when
in mid May the fire started in several places at once in the forest. It
started during the night and strong winds the next morning destroyed
much of this beautiful forest.

Many times since, the fire seems to die but sleeps in the moss and
rekindles again and again.

Anecdote of the 1897 fire
Notes by Mrs. Marie—Louise Boily ofLaBroquerie-La Liberté September 20, 1957 (translation)

On Oct. 2nd 1897, fire caused panic in LaBroquerie, Thibaultville and other regions now situated in
the Sandilands Forest Reserve. According to information received, the fire would have started from a steam
engine threshing near Stuartburn.

The weather was dry and very windy. Flames raced in the grass and caused crown fires rapidly.
Breathing was very difficult and smoke so thick you could not see more than 3 feet in front ofyou.

In La Broquerie, the priest removed the Blessed Sacrament from the
church. The bell was rung and the priest accompanied by a choir boy
went around the village saying prayers and sprinkling holy water.

Mr. Jean-Baptiste Ducharme-living in Thibaultville reported the
following facts. I’ll never forget the date of the fire-my 17th birthday. I
was out threshing but started for home immediately because my mother
was alone at home. Seeing the smoke I did not want to go through Ste.
Anne and traveled instead north on a road 2 miles east of Rosewood.

Suddenly face to face with the fire, I tried to turn back but I was
surrounded. I ran through the fire to the already burnt area but was
singed inside my shoes and clothing.

When I reached home, my mother had emptied the well into barrels,
tubs, and other containers and the children were lowered in the well. Seeing the barn in flames I rushed to
turn the cattle loose. I was 2 feet away when the roof fell in.

The fire did not burn everywhere. Some ridges were saved by damp lowlands.

   

 

 

63