Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-06-21
AN OCEAN OF FLAME.
Miles of Northern Wisconsin Forests Burn
inc Like Dry Under.

Miles of Northern Wisconsin Forests Burn
ing Like Dry Under
ASHLAND, Wis, June 19.-All the
morning heat from the surrounding
forest fires gave the winds torrid tenn
perature Reports from Iron River at
noon report losses much larger
than first reported The town is
surrounded by wall of flames, but
q large force of men including help
from the Ashland fire department is
still fighting the flames They have
plenty of hose and water and will like
~ save the town. Hessey & Hat
tens large warehouse, the new
school house, church and four
residences were burned. One man
named Dietch had his leg broken. John
Meagher was also suffocated and died
while fighting fire at his homestead near
Moquah. The remains were brought
here this morning. He was a prOmi-
nent q. A. r. man and lumberman.
The bridge on the Wisconsin Central
at Minersville, near High Bridge,
burned, and all trains are running
around by way of IronWoOd, on the
Mellen branch of the Lake Shore.
Sanborn a small numbering town on
the Duluth, South Shore q Atlantic
road, was entirely wiped out. Two
children of homesteader near there
persisted. One bridge nearly 800 feet
long burned. Trains are now running
through Ashland via the Omaha and the
Lake Shore. AT Saxon reports this
morning state that much more damage
was done. The woods were also swept
by fire and another bridge was burned,
so that trains have to be transferred.
Wires on the Omaha and the Central
railways are all down and telegraph
poles are burning like finder.
At White River over 1000 acres of
standing pine are ablaze, making regu-
lar sea of flames. Fourteen cars of
siding. The railroads all sent out spe-
cial trains this morning with men to
fight the flames. A special returned
from Iron River this morning and report
ed the fire entirely under control there
and that the loss there will not exceed
$1,000. Fire near Washburn is ap-
preaching rapidly and the peo-
pie have sent for help. The
weather here has been very dry
and forest fires were never known
to spread as rapidly as now. The
great masses Of green Norway timber
seem to burn like straw and the total
losses will run well into the millions.
a flood Of flames was seen all night
sweeping south from Ashland and the
greatest apprehension is felt for home
steaders living in the Marengo district.
There is no communication with there
and it is impossible to acertain how
many lives have been lost.
The towns Virginia and Mountain
Iron, IN Minnesota, on the Mesaba
Range, are burned. 1t is said 1000 peo-
Ma orc bonoaloSS tbara
At Royleston, on the Great Northern
road, the water tank was burned. Sew
eral small shacks occupied by railroad
men and lumbermen were also burned,
rendering many people homeless.
Forest fires are raging furiOusly all over
the Superior district.
DULUTH, Mimi, June 19.-The first
train bearing refugees who escaped from
the mining town of Virginia, in all
children, arrived in Duluth at 1:30
this morning, and the wearied,
hungry passengers hurried from
the coaches to the baggage rooms,
where elaborate lunches were spread.
OF all the crowd the greater portion
We're penniless and dependent absolute
~ upon what charity might offer. Few
had saved anything beyond the most
lneager effects and for the whole train
trunk. The crowd could not stop to
talk. Sandwiches, coffee, anything to
eat disappeared faster than it could be
supplied. They had little or nothing to
eat during the day. The houses burned
like finder and the whole town
was in ruins in less than an hour.
The terrified people gathered
about the Mesaba depot where the Off
GERS Of the road were doing everything
for their safety. A train of ore cars
was backed into the depot and the peo-
pie loaded in. All the way down the
train came through lane Of fire. An
other trainload of about POO people from
the burned out towns on the Mesaba
Range reached this city at noon. A
number Of fatalities are reported but
confirmation of the reports is lacking.
a couple Of actors went back after their
wardrobe IN a burning theatre and have
not been seen since. A woman who
tried to rescue her child was also miss
ing and it is feared will have persisted.
Many have been injured.