The fire of 1871 was not nearly so destructive in the town of Novesta, as that of ten years later. Not only were there fewer settlers but the fire does not appear to have been so extensive. The fire was most in the pine and slashings, where dry fuel was found. On the low ground the muck took fire, and burned with a smouldering flame. David M. Houghton was the only person who failed to escape to the river. This was owing to the sickness of his wife. They were supposed to be lost, until the second day after the fire, when friends arrived and assisted in carrying Mrs. Houghton out. Their barn, sleigh, corn, fences, and other property were destroyed; their house escaped.

The fire of 1881 was much more general and much more destructive, though unattended with loss of life. The following is a list of losses: John Dickerson, house and barn; John Van Kaughnet, House and barn; Archibald McPhee, barn; Charles Curles, hay; William Hartwick, hay; William Marsh, household goods, hay; Edward Deneen, hay and straw; James Abeal, barn, wheat, implements; Roswell Allen, hay; James Bruce, house and barn; James Phillips, house, wheat; W. A. Yorke, house, straw; Edward Balch, house and lumber; Aaron Huffman, house; A. Phillips, house; Archibald McArthur, house and barn; H. B. Hubbard, tools and implements; Orlando Strickland, house; A. G. Houghton, stable, lumber; John Seriver, house, stock; Michael Race, hay; John McLean, barn; Silas Woods, cooper shop, steak, household goods; Warren Barry, household goods; Martin Anthus, house; William H. Brown, hay; M. H. Quick, cut lumber; James Mattoon, house and barn; Daniel McClory, hay; A. R. Thompson, hay; Morrison Jones, two houses, hay; H. C. Downing, house, grain; Ogden Atwell, household goods; Chester Hall, house; James Wilson, saw-mill, tools; William Balch, house, barn, implements; M. Devall, household goods; H. Firman, household goods; Dugald McArthur, house, wheat; Silar Huffman, barn; T. Spenser, barn; H. H. Wilson, barn; S. Slack, barn; Alexander McCullum, stock, implements; John Joynt, house, barn, hay; S. D. Snyder, house; George Tyler, barn; Patrick Nelson, implements; Adam Parker, fodder; Johnston Elwell, lumber; Reuben Mosher, house, barn, hay, tools; Andrew McTine, Marion Parker, barn; R. H. Lewis, rails; John Blades, barn, straw, hay; William Cooper, hay and lumber; David Harris, barn, hay; George Hanshaw, house, barn, hay, mill damaged. As a general rule, the destruction of building, especially barns implied the loss, also, of contents, and that the crops, whether garnered or in the field, were destroyed, fences burned, valuable standing timber ruined; in short, the shelter and food of family and stock, if any of the latter were left, was swept away.

That the suffering through the fall, winter, and spring that succeeded, was not greater, was due to the generous benefactions which poured in from the whole country, and not least, from neighboring towns. Of this hearty sympathy and these noble charities, doubt not the angel of mercy has made due record.

The recovery from the effects of this great disaster has been rapid. Houses and barns have been rebuilt; a fruitful soil has yielded its increase, and signs of renewed prosperity are seen everywhere. The charred timber is being sawed into lumber by the mills in the town, and the traces of fire are gradually disappearing.