Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-09-05
TOWNS WIPED OUT.
Northern Wisconsin Swept from End
TO End by the Fire
SCOurCe.

tNAil dHh uNdbIl NdhSCd Ny lhC
great conhagration. The towns of
Rib Lake, Marengo and Bradshaw nave
been completely wiped out, and at the
latter place three people lost their lives.
Many others are missing and it is imDossi-
bic to estimate the extent of suffering
by the inhabitants. Yesterday a message
was received here from Cadott asking for
assistance. The town was threatened by
a herce forest fire and the inhabitants
were almost panic-stricken at the con-
temptation of their imminent danger. A
portion of the Chippewa Falls depart
ment was sent up and until 10 O'Clock last
night the 1900 inhabitants of the village
struggled to preserve their town from de-
struction. Several buildings on the out
skirts caught fire and were shortly re-
duced to ashes, but happily the fire was
prevented from spreading to the others.
The citizens were greatly excited at the
prospect of losing their homes and prepa-
ratiOnS were made for a hurried flight
in case the town fell Il prey to the ele-
ment. Wagons loaded with house
hold goods stood in the streets
and the scene was one of in
describable confusion. AT 10 O'Clock
last night the fire had abated in the inn
mediate vicinity Of CadOtt, and for the
present the village is safe. Almost two
miles away, i'll a dense forest which ter
inmates at the limits of the town, the
woods are one vast blaze, and the wind
is carrying the flames with great rapid
iy toward the town. This is CadOtt's
greatest danger. and if no rain falls be-
fore this evening it Will be certainly
wiped out. The inhabitants realize this
fact and already quite a number have
taken refuge in this city, while the others
are prepared for flight on a moments
warning, 1t would be useless to strug-
gle against the mass of flames fast bear
ing dow on the town, and as it reaches
the limits safety will be taken in flight.
The unfortunate citizens nave taken ey-
cry precautiOn to preserve their house
hold effects, but their homes must be left
to the fury of the fire.
A dispatch received this morning from
Rib Lake asking for assistance stated
that the town is on fire and the people
are in danger. A special train and a fire
engine was sent up. The town contains
about 100 inhabitants and is situated in
the midst of a dense forest where escape
is practically impossible.
No news has been received from the
party sent to the rescue of the village
and fears are entertained for it's safety.
Eau Claire, Wis, Sept. 3.-Wires to
points on the Northern division of the
Omaha nave been down since last night
II information of the situation up north
is still lacking. The last train from the
north on the Omaha reached here at ;
O'Clock Saturday afternoon. and no trains
have gone out or III since except a wreck
ing train sent from Eau Claire early
this morning. Railroad men say the
whole region from Cartwright to Bashaw
md nr.rA I1S hnnn ON En, c;noD
Saturday afternoon. Bridges are
burned and wires down and no
one knows when trains will run,
Many people here are alarmed f.
the safety of friends and relativ.
who are blockaded at northern point
The Omaha train arriving here at , p. III.
yesterday. which came through Bashaw.
took twelve men, women and children
from the burned village to Rice Lake, the
conductor backing the train to get the
refugees after he had run through with
out stopping. The Northwestern Lumber
company has reports of fresh breaking
out of fires along the Eau Claire river
One of the company said that they al
ready had 10000, 900 feet of pine burned
on the Eau Claire and did not believe
there would be Il green tree left when
rain comes. One of the Eau Claire OWL
ers of the Barronette Lumber company's
plants says the loss there is $3.50. 600 A
special from CadOtt says the village is
surrounded by fire.
Eau Claire, Wis Sept 3.-Worf from
Cadott says the fires have been checked,
but there is still danger Members of the
Rice Lake Lumber company here have
advices that Rice Lake is in no present
danger. The wind has generally been
from the southwest. 1t is next to imDos-
sible to obtain communication direct with
the smaller towns.
Spooner. Wis Sept. S-TTre des+rrc-
ton of Barronette was complete One
lone building rs left of 100 inhabitants.
One man was burned The total loss is
a quarter of Il million Shell Lake has
ffty-two dwellings burned with Il total
loss of $4,000 Three hundred and sixty
people are homeless and many are without
a dollar Of Insurance. Deeds of heroism
are plentiful. One widow dragged her
ty~phoid-sick son from the Rouse into a
potato patch and there protected him from
the flames while the rest of the fnhabi-
tants fled in terror. The fires are now
under control in this vicinity.
Turtle Lake, Wis, Sept. 3.-TurtIe
During the afternoon Il bad fire APP
preached the south side OFF the town,
famed by the brisk breeze which was
blowing all day. The entire male popu-
lation turned out and succeeded in saving
the, town. At night the wind went down,
and though the fires lit up the skies in
all directions, the town was safe. Re-
ports from the towns along the Omaha
line between Turtle Lake and Spooner
are very meager. A passenger train
went up to Cumberland about thirteen
miles north of here on Saturday night
and has been unable to proceed in either
direction. Granite Lake, Barronette and
Shell Lake, the w next north, were
wiped out, and yesterday afternoon the
hamlet of ComstOck, eight miles north Of
Turtle Lake and five miles south of Cum
berland, was destroyed. AT all these
burned stations the tracks are burned
and warped and no trains can move. The
telegraph wires are practically useless,
though an attempt was made to get them
in shape yesterday afternoon. The Oma-
ha company loses many culverts and tres
ties. All wagon road bridges are burned
and communication with the burned dis
tricts is practically shut off. The CORE
spondent started north on Il hand-car
this morning. Everybody in Turtle Lake
is worn out through working night and
day for the past seFanty-twO hours, and
with the present respite efforts have been
relaxed
WILL OPPOSE TOM REED.