Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-09-20
NO SLEEP FOR THE CITIZENS.
Wisconsin Cities Saved from Destruction
only by a Heroic Effort

MANY of the residents of the
wooded districts in Northern Wis
consin. A high wind was raging,
tanning the forest fires into huge roll
ing waves of flame which swept every
thing before it with the rapidity of
prairie fire, only it was more destruc-
tive, for when the forest avalanche has
swept over and all leaves,
grass and foliage burned the
heavy timber and even the earth burns
for days, creating a sufocating smoke.
In what is known as the Pine River set
Element east of this city the fire nearly
swept everything off from the face of
the earth. The farmers live practically
in the woods, have only few acres
cleared, and when the ocean OF tire
swept over the district many thought
the day of Judgment was at hand. How
to save themselves and families was a
question hard TO decide in an instant.
Those who had wells climbed into them
and those who had none ran to their
fields and covered themselves with
blankets caught fire. One farmer, Carl
Ludke, with his family, was covered up
with blankets, Mr.. Ludke with his gun
beside him with the intention, as
he said, of shooting himself rather
than be burned to death. The saddest
of all is the case of the family of Fred.
Wege. Mr.. Wege was engaged in
driving his cattle to place of
safety while Mrs. Wege and the
children were endeavering to get some
food out of the house. They were all
overtaken with suffication from the in
tense smoke. Mrs. Wege covered her
face with her clothing but the two chill
dren were suffocated. The following
is partial list of those who have lost
their all. Miles Swope, residence, Saw
mill and lumber, loss about $50, 600;
insurance, ST., 1000; Fred & w. Latzig,
residence and outhouses; Herman
Raschke, residence and barn;
August Semmerk, residence and
outbuiIdings; David Paddock, res
idence and barn; Charles
Brandenburg, residence; E. Bosworth,
barn and contents; George Deering, res
idence and all; w. Buck, resi-
dence and barn; H. Freiburg, res
idence; w. Gritmacher, residence;
Joseph Gieshel, barn and two
horses; Fred Homerick, residence; Carl
Luedke, residence and outhouses;
Fred and Herman Yaeger, residences
and outbuildings; Fred bingham, resi-
dence and barn; julius Falk, barn
and one horse; William Wege,
residence and outhouses and two
children. In most cases all
the grain, hay and chickens with the
household effects were burned, nothing
being saved. No insurance was carried,
and while the loss financially is
not so heavy it was all the
hardy pioneers had. George Deer
ing had a fine brick residence with fine
outhouses and the latest improved
farming implements, the result of a
lifetime of hard work. He lost
everything. The city of Merrill
is surrounded by the burn
ing forest and the smoke is
so thick that a person cannot see ten
rods ahead. The city, however, has
excellent fire protection and no danger
is apprehended. The mills are shut
down and the citizens are on the alert
to exunguish any fire that may be
started.
SPENCER, Wis, Sept. 15.-Advices re-
ceived here state that the little villa ge
of Meanwhile on the Wisconsin Central
Railway, south of here, was destroyed
by fire this afternoon. The town is
devoted to numbering and lumber man
ufacturing, and has a population of
about $50 or 200, The depot and every
store and dwelling in the place burned
of the Wisconsin Furnace Company,
and the company's kilns, near Mann
vile, were also consumed. Mrs. NJ. J.
. Powers lost two horses and the prop
perry Of R. Mueller was also de-
stroyed. There are no losses re-
ported from neighboring towns north of
here, though surrounded by fire. This
town was in great danger yesterday
afternoon, A heavy wind was
blowing and only by the unit
ed efforts of the citizens were
the flames checked before reaching the
village. Crews are still out fighting the
fire, but no more danger is appre-
hended. All trains on the CentraF are
delayed at this station and Marsh
field on account of a bridge
being burned near Marshfeld. The
wood Of the Wisconsin Furnace Com
pany and the company's kilns, located
near Meanwhile, burned this afternoon
There was about 1000 cords of wood
consumed.
MARsHFIELD, Wis, Sept. 15.-Yester-
day and last night will long be remem-
bered by the people of this section of
the country, more especially the scenes
of last night Driven by a terrific
wind two great forest fires, one on
the south and another on the north side
Of the city, threatened destruction and
swept everything before them. At one
time the fire got within the city limits
but was met by an army of citizens who
formed a bucket brigade and succeeded
in preventing repetition of the disas-
ter Of six wears ago. The smoke was
binding. Reports of great loss of
property come in hourly. Powers Sta
ton. two miles north Of here, was en-
tirely wiped out. A dozen fam
lilies liued there and bare
Iy escaped with their lives.
The loss Of life as far can be learned at
this writing, is only the two children Of
Frank Kodil, who, it is reported, we re
sufocated. Mcmillan, five miles east of
here, is surrounded by fire, but with in
creased help from Stevens Point and this
place it is believed the town can be
saved. Many settlers families are in
the city who have lost everything. The
loss cannot be estimated at this time
but will amount to many thousands of
dollars. Co. d patroled the city all
night and no one slept. The danger
line is believed to be passed as