MARYLAND LOOKOUTS
HIGH KNOB
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March 17, 1913: "State Forester F.W. Besley and Assistant Forester Chapin Jones this morning met the forest wardens and patrolmen of Frederick county, and of the eastern section of Washington county, in the grand jury room of the courthouse for a conference on fires among forests, and their prevention. Because the season is nearing, when probably more forest fires can be expected than almost any time of the year the meeting was one of much interest. Methods for patrolling the mountains and the manner of fighting fires were explained.
The meeting was opened by State Forester Besley, who urged that the wardens and patrolmen co-operate. He told of the great damage to mountain lands because of fires and how if the fires were nipped in the beginning much loss can be averted. ...
He told them the purpose of the State to erect on High Knob, south of Key Rock, a steel tower about 30 feet in height. The contract for this tower has been let to the Morris Iron and Steel Company, of Frederick, and will be erected as soon as possible. Two patrolmen will pass this tower each day, and they will be compelled to go to the top and make an observation from this tower of the surrounding land. This tower gives the observer an unobstructed view of mountain land for a radius of about 10 miles and from it he can detect almost any fire which is just beginning." (The Daily News)
The meeting was opened by State Forester Besley, who urged that the wardens and patrolmen co-operate. He told of the great damage to mountain lands because of fires and how if the fires were nipped in the beginning much loss can be averted. ...
He told them the purpose of the State to erect on High Knob, south of Key Rock, a steel tower about 30 feet in height. The contract for this tower has been let to the Morris Iron and Steel Company, of Frederick, and will be erected as soon as possible. Two patrolmen will pass this tower each day, and they will be compelled to go to the top and make an observation from this tower of the surrounding land. This tower gives the observer an unobstructed view of mountain land for a radius of about 10 miles and from it he can detect almost any fire which is just beginning." (The Daily News)