The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-07-30
A Scene Of Ruin Not EqualIsd Since
the Destruction OF
Peshtlgo.
Vast Multitude Was Without
Food or Shelter All the
Night Long
Fifteen Lives wsre Lost at PhulIpa -Bsiio
PLANES, L., swept by the De-
hiroyinE Element.

hNNEAPoLrs, July "a special 70 tAs
Tribune from Phillips, Wis, says the ter
rible scene q, Phillips bsRRaTs all deaeFip-
tios--ths blaeksRed fsoss OF those who
fought 10 save their homes, With blood
shot eyes, RaEs ai the blAokensd heaps
which mark their once happy homes No,
since ihs forest fires destroyed Psahtiao has
anything occurred which will compare to
the sosno Of ruin here. A csmmitiss OF
citizens from Ashland arrived with
special train Of provisions last night I,
was material relief, and arrived Just In
time 10 keep people from aotually suasrinE
from wan, Of food. Provisions were given
out in small quantities. so a. 10 make
them last as long a. possible. and keep
something available until provisions ar
rived. Men and women walked the streets
all bearimsd. wringine their hands and be-
moaning their sad fate. Only the town
hall and few small buildings arc lsf,
standing. They were immediately con-
vsrted into a shelter for the destitute. but
only few OF the women and children
could crowd into them. A vast multitude
had to remain withou, shelter and food
last night. but tents we're brought In from
psiRhboring towns and improvissd huts are
teing u,ilizsd tonight.
Gov. Peek and stat arrived from Msdi-
son this morning. dozen cars Of pro-
visions have arrived from various cities,
and an organization for relief hss be.n
oomplsted. Gov Peck met with the con-
mi,see a, the town hall this morning. and
offered many suggestions. lie brought .
quantity Of shse,ine which is being con.
vertsd into tsnts. Great crowds OF resi-
dents who left Friday returned to-day.
Lumber 10 being shipped In for the purposs
Of rebuilding, and operations have alrsadf
begun.
Two more bodies have been recovered
from the river where the terrible holseauss
oocurrsd. those OF J. Locke and one Of
bis children.
The boathouss on which the dssps ate
men. women and children took refuge was
showed from the shore. Before 10 had gone
far suction Of she flames drew 10 riRhs up
into a regular furnace OF fire. The boats
were either overturned or the people
/ Jumped. IL 10 estimated that fifteen lives
were Loaf at this place. IL 10 supposed that
the bodies OF several children are buried
under the ruins OF the wagon bridge.
which. 10 10 claimed. Rsve way while they
were trying 10 pass The flames 70 the psnin-
sula whion inns out into she lake. sp-
preaching closely 10 the location Of the
John II. Davis Lumber company plant
| The list OF losses app.oximatss as fol-
lows: John X. Davis Lumber company,
Sb00. 900; Fayetts Shaw Isnnsry company,
| $l50,000; Wisconsin Central railway, $20,-
600; Jump River Lsmber compsny, go. 600;
city aud county property. $4,000; Fihsld
Manufacturing company. 5000; Duluth.
South Shore a Atlantic railroad. $40. 600;
Il. l.. Hunt, $4,000; q. G. Keliiher. SIS. 900;
Jscob Rasmusssn. $4,000; Giles hopse.
| $4,000. This NOS counting half million
loss to residence owners
The liss Of dead recovered from the river
includes Mrs. Dave Dryden and two
children, Mrs. Dave Locke and two chill
drsn. Frank Cliss aud one child. There
are four sill In the water. Mrs. Jas. Locke
and childrsn. The unknown rsrsou found
proved TO be woman.