The record-union., 1893-09-16

are surrounded by flames and in the
greatest danger of being wiped out.
Everything between Dabier, Wood
County, and Necedah, Janeau. County, on
the Milwaukee and st. Paul Railroad, is
burned. Dexterville is threatened with
humiliation.
Hundreds Of scattered dwellings known
to be in the path of the flames are doubt
less burned.
Every square mile of the vast timbered
district of Wisconsin is as dry as tinder.
and the flames are sweeping onward
without check. The losses will doubtless
run into the millions.
The district already fire-swept and that
threatened includes nearly one-third of
the State.
Wisconsin is overhung by pail of
smoke, reaching from Lake Michigan to
Lake Superior and from the extreme
eastern border of the State to the Missis
sippi River. ssS
THE DAMAGE CANNOT BE ESTIMATED.
MARsHFIELD (Wis.), Sept. 15.-Never
since the fire Of 1871 have such terrible
forest fires burned in this State as ragged
through Northern Wisconsin the past
flew days. The extent of the damage can
not be estimated, owing to the fact that
the fire cut off telegraphic communica-
ton with the smaller towns. On timber
the losses are of course heaviest, and
Frank Mcmillan, of the Mcmillan Lum-
ber Company, in an interview tonight
said the loss to the Wisconsin forests
from the recent fires would prob
ably amount to between five and
six millions. This represents a vast
amount of pine, as we'll as hardwood
timber, covering a land area which even
4 fIn [f
Wisconsin cannot estimate. In fact 1t is
scarcely exaggerated that all of Northern
Wisconsin is one smoldering furnace, so
complete is the line of fires which are
raging in the forest between here and
Lake Superior. Where they will end, no
one can say, but unless there is rain in
Northern Wisconsin within the next
forty-eight hours even greater disasters
than have already occurred may be ex-
pected from the fires.
Marshfield is entirely surrounded by
fires, and while not now in any lmmedi-
ate danger, reports are hourly brought to
the city by residents along the different
railways Of terrible fires raging, and
which have already made many families
homeless and destitute.
AS yet no one can confirm the reports
of losses of life from flames. That some
settlers were cut off by flames and killed
is very probable. Many persons escaped
death only after adventures of the most
thrilling character. oeiae
l. On every side are evidences of yester-
days battle with the flames, in which
the citizens Of Marshfield had hard fight
to save the town. Several buildings were
destroyed on the outskirts.
Reports of terrible fires at Spencer and
Colby were received tonight. Just how
many families were left homeless by the
| fires cannot be learned, but surely fifty.
Nearly all the residents between this city
and Mcmillan yesterday packed up their
goods and moved to this city, and settlers
from other parts of the county are fast
following in their footsteps. Reinforce
ments have gone to Mcmillan from this
city and Stevens Point, but it is doubtful
If they can save the mills, which, with
the lumber around them, are worth $780,
600. Southwest of the city, on the Omaha
road, there is another fierce fire burning,
and large party of men have gone from
here to head it off.
MARsHFIELD's NARROW ESCAPE.
MARsHFIELD (Wis.), Sept l5.-LasU
night, driven by terrific winds, two great
forest fires-one north the other south of
the city-Swept everything before them.
Once the fire reached the city limits, but
the bucket brigade staid its progress
there.
Powers Station, two miles north, con-
letlHlHR 0OLCA AdlAliiOSs was WlpCo Outs
The inhabitants barely escaped with their
| lives. Two children of Frank Codii are
reported to have been suffocated.
Mcmillan, five miles east, is surrounded
by fire, but it is believed will be saved.
Many settlers families have arrived
here, having lost everything. The dan
ger is believed to have passed this city.
All hope of saving the village of Nc
MILAN has been abandoned. The town
has population of 500. Mcmillan has
milling plant valued at Sl50,000.
EVERYTHING SWEPT AWAY.
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 15.-Advices of rail-
way offices here are to the effect that
flames swept everything between Bah
! cock aud Necedah, distance of twenty
miles. The country is sparsely settled,
so the damage is only to timber.
Near Merrill to-day two children of
Fred Wagge were burned to death in the
forest fires.
VILLAGE WIPED OUT.
SPENCER Wis.,. Sept. 15.-Mannville,
village of 200 inhabitants, is destroyed
by fires. No loss of life is reported.
SETTLEMENT WIPED OUT.
MERRILL (Wis.), Sept. 15.-The Pine
River settlement near here is wiped out
A score of buildings were burned. The
people saved themselves by descending
into wells and covering themselves with
wet blankets.
LUMBER YARDS AND MILL BURNED.
GREEN BAY {Wis.t, Sept. l5.-phis
afternoon a terrific windstorm set in.
The prarie fires northwest of McDonald's
lumber mill at Fort Howard increased in
volume. and in less than twenty minutes
the fire reached the lumber yards and
mill and destroyed them. The loss is
over S50,0O0. There is heavy gale of
wind tonight, and it is feared more fires
will occur before morning.
Absconder Weeks.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.-Government
officials express some doubt as to whether
the Costa Rican Government will sur
render Francis ii. Weeks, the New York
absconder, as there is no extradition
treaty between the two countries, but the
United States will, however, acquiesce in
the request for the absconder's extradi-
ton made by the State of New York.
Death of One of Lincoln's Secretaries.
SPRINGFIELD Gill;, Sept. 15.-Hon. Mil
ton Hay, aged 76, died at P. NJ. to-day of
Bright's disease while sitting on lawn
in front of his residence conversing with
his daughter. He removed to Springfield