The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-29
Rad State of Affairs.

MILWAUKEE, July 2S.-Mail trains
the Wisconsin Central road in that section
of the country where the fire is raging TO
the greatest extent are held up at various
points or are picking their way through.
the burned sections slowly and with fire.
quent stops. Every effort is being made
by General Manager Whitconb to get to
the towns and lumber camps where fiEe has
cleaned out nearly everything in order to
carry supplies to the people left homeless,
and without anything, in many cases. 10
eat or wear, the main object Of the com
pany at present being to relieve the desL-
tute, people rather than to get passengers
through or run. the condition of affairs
at Phillips is reported by agents of the
Central to be very bad. and the people Of
the place are in need OF immediate relief
in the way of food and clothing and ma
terial with which to construct temporary
homes. The reports seem TO indi
cate that the town is practically
wiped out OF existence. 1t was
place of about 1900 people. Governor
Peck. who is in the city to-day, has been
asked to send tents to Phillips to shelter
viii comply with the request at once. In
ssurance men here are at loss TO account
Tor the complete wiping out of the town as
reported, because they say there is very
complete water supply and fire apparatus
In the town. There is good sized lake
adjoining Phillips from which water mains
extend throughout the entire village and
large pump was stationed al the mills OF
the Davis company which was capable
OF throwing enough water-to flood the town
on short notice: In addition the town owns
a large amount of hose and fire apparatus,
and the only reason for the reported COM
Dleteness of the fire as considered by in
a bad locality and spread rapidly that
the people could do nothing with it. Lead
ing insurance men estimate that the COM
panies at the present time hold policies in
the town of Phillips alone TO the amount
of $4,000 which. it is expected. will prove
leading companies paid to the John Davis
Lumber Company of Phillips the sum of
plant in June which destroyed his kilns,
their contents and planning mill
A dispatch from Centrala says forest fires
have been raging i'm that vicinity during
the past twenty-four hours and hundreds
of men out endeavoring TO save the
cranberry crop. From Grand Rapids. Wis,
it is learned that forest fires raging
along the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul and Green Bay Minnesota rail
roads Daily IL Simpson have sent out
large force of men to fight fires i'm the vi
cinity of their sawmilI, located four miles
from Centralia. Fires are dangerously near
the fine new mill being Dult by Arpin
Brothers. Considerable hay has been burned
and cranberry marshes are in danger. 1t is
feared repetition of the disastrous ex-
periences of last fall will result IL rain
does not come soon. Late reports are that
125 acres of Spafford & Tranern's cultivated
cranberry marsh have been burned DIR.
G.. +. Whites is also heavy loser. Other
marshes are on fire A hot southwest wind
fans and drives the flames. Dense smoke
clouds the horizon to the NORTH east and
west of this city.
A dispatch from Chiffon, Wis. says nine
buildings were consumed by fire at Hid
bert this morning. The wind was blowing
a heavy gale and the whole town was
threatened with destruction. y fire steamer
and company from this city rendered as
sistance. The buildings included the st.
Paul depot.