The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-06-19
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

ASHLAND Wis.,, June 18.-Iron River.
a thriving lumber town of over 1000
population, twenty miles from Ashland,
is in flames, and is likely to be entirely
wiped out. The fire caught on the out
skirts of the village from forest fires,
destroying a new schoolhouse, the Con-
gregational and Catholic Churches and
Hessey & Hatton's big warehouse. At 6
o'clock the entire residence portion of the
city was in flames. Help was sent from
here but the special jumped the track,
causing several hours delay.
Forest fires are raging all through
Northern Wisconsin. To-day Wash
burn had a close shave, and the fire made
a heavy sweep in and about White River.
1t will likely burn millions of feet of
standing pine.
Only a year ago Iron River was en-
tirely destroyed by fire. Several people
were brought to Ashland tonight who
were badly injured, narrowly escaping
with their lives.
Latest advices from Iron River state
that the town is gone. The wires on the
Northern Pacific and Omaha are all
down, the poles being burned away by
fires A bad fire is raging in North York.
a special was sent out this evening to
help fight the flames, and save trestles
and bridges along the railroads.
There are many mining camps en-
ploying largo number of men in the
neighborhood of Virginia, and they are
undoubtedly burned. Among these were
Mountain from, New England, ROUGH
II
these camps had large storehouses. 1t is
feared some men may perish in the
flames. 1t is difficult to estimate the
total loss, but if reports be true as to the
extent of the destruction at the various
towns mentioned, it will amount to over
Sl,OOO,OOO.
TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS.
DULUTH (Minn.), June lS.-The towns
of Virginia and Mountain Iron, on the
Duluth, Mesaba and Northern road, have
been destroyed by forest fires. Mesaba
and Biwabik, on the Duluth and Iron
Range, were also visited by serious fres
and Tower had like experience There
are 1000 people homeless in Virginia, and
without food or shelter, every provision
depot and contents in the place being de-
slrOy6u. w omen ana cnllQren are
housed in box cars, but have nothing to
eat, and no engine is there to move them.
The situation at Mountain Iron is little
better. AS soon as the news of these
facts reached Duluth arrangements were
begun to send relief to the distressed.
The Duluth, Mesaba and Northern is get
ting a special train together, TO be started
as soon as possible. All the restaurants
and hotels are preparing food to be sent
to the sufferers, and tents are being col
lected. 1t is feared the fatalities will be
numerous.
FIRE AT CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, June 18.-A six-story build
ing on Wabash avenue and Congress
street was entirely destroyed by fire to-
day. The structure was occupied by a
number of firms, whose combined losses
aggregate 100000. The heaviest losers
are: o. w. Richardson q Co., carpets
and curtains; CHM Publishing Company;
Nose Piano Company and Chase q Co.,
piano manufacturers; K. S. Peal q Co.,
publishers. The building was owned by
John Quincy Adams of Wheaton, Ill.
The fire started by the crossing of electric
wires, and spread with such rapidity that
the fremen were unable to check it, and
confined their efforts to saving the ad-
joining buildings, notably the store of
Seigel, Cooper & Co. By desperate efforts
the flames were confined to the Adams
buildinu