The herald., 1894-11-16
DESTRUCTIVE TIMBER FIRES.
Blazing Forests in Northern
Colorado.
Several Mining Camps Wiped Out
by the Flames.
The Inhabitants Compelled to Abandon
Their Burning Hemes and
Flee for Their
Lives.
By the Associated Press.


BOULDER, Colo, Nov. 15-Fire in a
Haw mill west OF the mining camp OF
Ward, starting last night. spread to the
timber and has been doing great dam
age, and this morning caused intense
excitement here by reason OF the sensa-
lional reports to the effect that the
mining campo OF Ward and Gold Hill
lad been burned to the ground. Ward,
however, did not suffer, but Gold Hill
was, at q late hour this afternoon, burn
ing, and other camps are threatened.
Gold Hill. having population of 500,
is situated only four miles west of Boul-
der, and Ward, with population of
100, is five miles further on. The fire
Atarted just west OF Ward, in the heavily
timbered districts. and swept to the
sast. The inhabitants were alarm ed
early in the evening, dense clouds OF
smoke settling down on the camp. The
fire spread through the dry pine timber
with remarkable rapidity, and settlers
along its path were forced to leave their
cottages and cabins to burn and to get
into the camps.
The ire, burning on the outside OF
Ward, advanced toward Gold Hill
and swept over an area OF about eight
miles. The fire is spreading towards
Copper Rock, and it is believed many
email eampe will be burned. The resi-
dents OF Gold Hill who have not come
to Boulder have assembled on top OF
Horeeiel mountain. and are watching
the progress of the devouring flames as
they destroy their homes. The wind is
blowing iuriously, and drives the fire
before it in large sheets of flame. The
property loss cannot at present be told,
but 1t will amount to over 100000
There will necessarily be great dettitu-
tion.
The fire is spreading along Left Hand
and in the direction of Sunshine. Sum
shine ia two miles from Gold Hill.
Among the important mines at Gold
Hill for which fears are entertained arc
the Ali Mackee and Cash Berkin.
A courier reports the destruction Of
Talcott and the Prussian mine and mill.
The timber around Gold Lake has been
uwept bare by the flames.
The ranch houses of Mr.. Ely at Left
Hand were completely destroyed and
Mr.. Ely was badly burned about the
face and haDds. Mr.. Seaman. whose
ranch was burned. also suffered injuries.
Fred Ehler's property near Sunset was
burned and Ehler was found uncon-
Boioue in an outbuilding. whore ne had
gone to endeavor to save something, Ee
is seriously burned.
Over 800 men are fighting the fires
approach at West Gold Hill which seems
to weep every thing before it in its trend
over the mountains and through the
valley ranches. Women and children
are continually arriving in this city for
protection and the scene ia one of excite
ment and destruction.
Teamsters from Ward, Gold Hill and
Sunshine are bringing the panic-stricken
people from the burning districts, which
include Camp Talcott, Sunset. Copper
Rock, Left Hand and GOLD Hill.
Lew Jain, the proprietor of the Ward
Boulder stage line, arrived in Boulder
at 80 O'Clock today. He brought the
mail on horseback, because it was i'm
possible to run his coach through the
burning district, which is known ga the
ridge road, between Gold Hill and
Ward. He reported that at IL O'Clock
a. In. the fire was raging furiously and
the wind blowing a gale and it was then
within one mile of Gold Hill.
Sunset will be wiped out before morn
ing if the wind continues to blow in
the direction it now does. Copper Rock
is in imminent danger Of being cleaned
ont and Salina will be served the same
fate. Ward is reported safe, as the fire
is playing east and north of the great
camp, and unless the wind changes over
to the east no danger is looked for.
Gold Lake, a fishing place and sum.
msr resort, situated about three miles
Of nf in alxJh
out and nothing is left OF the pretty cot.
tages.
The air in this city is heavily laden
with smoke. The fire is spreading north
and south and the damage will be great
to property and timber. One life is re.
ported lost.