The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-19

Sandstone, Minn., is IN complete ruins,
there being but one building standing. q
shack used by the equarry company. Crowded
into this building and the ferry. the relief
party found over 200 people who had lost
their homes and everything they possessed
except the clothing they wore.
All those saved at Sandstone were In the
river while the cyclone of flames passed, and
they only managed to escape by wading In
the water as far as possible and throwing
water over each others heads. The coming OF
the flames sounded like thunder. and with such
rapidity did they come that people who
waited to save property or neglected to seek
safety in the river perlshed In the flames. As
far as can be learned between forty and fifty
people are dead.
Broad Park, Pokegama Station, Minn., q
new town on the st. Cloud and Hlnckley
branch of the Great Northern, was totally
of lumber, 8 sawmill, hotel, stores, post.
office, school house and section house.
Twenty-Five families In the immediate
nelghborhood are homeless. The total loss
OF property is estimated at $500, 600.
In accordance with an order Issued by
General Merritt. commander Of the Depart
ment Of Dakota, Company G, OF the Third
United States Infantry, stationed at Fort
Smelling, left on special train on
their way to HincGley under command
of Captain Hale. The principal purpose
OF sending the Federal troops was to FUR.
nish tents AMI blankets to the people Of
ammunition and were to do guard duty
protecting properts and supplies.
Not since 1871 has Michigan seen such
awful devastation by forest fires. Some Idea
OF the extent Of damage can be gained from
the fact that more than 1000 square miles Of
territory has been burned over. zoe, ,O0o
feet Of standing pine scorched, and
500, ,000, 900 pieces OF cedar ruined, and
this does not include the loss OF scores
of sawmills, numbering plants, and
piles OF dressed lumber, nor does It take into
consideration the hundreds OF homes belong
ing TO homestead settlers that have been
wiped out. Owing to the fact that all the
railroad lines in the upper peninsula run
through these blazing forests and the ties
and bridges have been burned, train Service
has been abandoned. From latest accounts
received II Is now believed that the worst
Is over and the fires will subside, although
the people will not feel safe until heavy
rain falls. The best general estimate OF the
loss of property In the northern peninsula OF
Michigan Is $4,000, 900.
The heaviest loser by the forest fires at
Chippewa Falls, Wis.,, Is Cornell University,
winch mas Q6arly V1,Uuu,Uuo lufoSlou AZ P.n0
lands located chiefly around Long Lake.
These lands have been completely divested
Of standing pines, and their loss will be al
most complete.
The destruction OF Barronett, Wis.,. wa.
complete. One building Is left OF a city OF
700 inhabitants. One man was burned to
death. The total loss Is a quarter OF MIL
lion dollars. Three hundred and sixty per-
sons are homeless.
Forest fires ragged in Pennsylvania, all
along the line of the Buffalo, Rochester and
Plttsburg Railroad. Reports from all points
on the narrow gauge stated that the woois
were on fire for miles, and the damage
would be heavy unlessrain should fall.
Forest fires ragged flercely all around
Jamestown, N. Y. At Falconer during the
last few DAYS farmers have had to organize
q bucket brigade and work hard to keep the
flames from setting fire to their houses and
barns. Forest fires In Chautauqua
County, New York, ragged with increSs-
ing force through meadows, woods and
farms, reducing to waste the source OF ltveli-
hood OF considerable portion OF the
farming population. No one feels safe, for
the fires progress with such incredible velo.
city that those on picket duty sometimes are
barely able to give notice OF approach before
the flames are In possession OF the property,
and sometimes have to fee for their lives.
Reports have been received OF extremely
DANGEROUS fires In Lewis and Ulster Coun-
ties.