The record-union., 1894-09-05

luto IL cdHle Dack 10 give an account OF
himself. To the intense heat, burning
lumber and the suffocating volume of
smoke which came from the flames that
were destroying sawmill and 800, 600
feet OF lumber standing on the banks
was added that which went into the saw
dust, through which the fire ran to the
very waters edge. The water IS deep,
and those who were there probably chose
death by drowning to suffocation or burn
Ing. The pond is yet unapproachable.
The sawdust bank is still full of fire and
as treacherous as quicksand. The smoke
Is SO dense tnat not a sight of the pond
can be had from point near the place
where the bodies are supposed to be, and
1t may be some days before an attempt at
recovery OF the bodies can be made.
From Brook Park, near Pokeeama
Lake, on the Eastern Minnesota road.
comes the report that the fatalities there
are more than had been supposed. There
were more than ll0 settlers at or near that
point. Yesterdays report placed its dead
at twenty eight. To-day rumor has in
creased it to between fifty and sixty.
Parties will 60 out from Pine City across
the country to Brook Park by team to aid
III the work at that point.
At this city every branch of local relief
has moved along smoothly. There is an
abundance of food and shelter. Governor
Nelson, with representatives of the re-
liet committee at St. Paul and Duluth,
arrived during the day, and will assist in
the work of aid.
NOBLE RESPONSE TO THE CRY OF RELIEF.
PINE CITY (Minn.), Sept. 4.-Every
other person one meets in Pine City to-
day gives visible evidence in bloodshot
eyes and burned noses aud cheeks OF con-
1lict with the fire. Some are thinly clad.
There are fifty tents and each housed four
or five people last night
In the hospital last night Mrs. Thomas
Henderson sat woe-begone, while NJ. y.
Greenfield, who is badly burned, told of
the sad fate of her boys, IA and is years
or age. The boys, with their father, were
cutting the road for the railroad toward
Greentield's, when the fire forced them
out. They reached his place and with the
family took refuge III the cellar. One,
when the flames enveloped the house.
never got out, and the other perished in a
culvert where he had taken shelter. Mr..
Greenfield's five children found fiery
grave in the cellar, and his wife, though
still alive, is in the hospital burned be-
yond hope of recovery.
Miss Hammond OF Hinckley, who oc-
cupies bed near her, is in a similar con-
dition.
So thoroughly have all the arrange
mentS been made for the relief of the suf-
ferers around Hinckley that everything
moves along without hitch.
The people of this little village have re-
sponded nobly to the cry for relief that
came from their suffering neighbors.
Provisions, clothing, bedding and other
supplies were poured in from all parts of
the State, and from here to the places
where they were most needed. The reg
ulars from Fort Smelling have also been
of great service.
Crowds OF curious people are going over
the grounds looking for relics of the hor-
rible disaster, and systematic search par
ties are looking for more bodies in the
woods.
General Bunker represents the Gov
ernor in the relief measures. All the in
jured have been brought to the hospital
and the supplies were turned over TO the
medical men in charge. so that there was
no delay IN caring for the injured.
Every hall and public building of any
sort was used as a hospital, and the peo-
pie seemed TO know no WEAKNESS in their
eagerness to relieve the suffering.
The heat was so intense that the eve
balls of many nearly shriveled and
nearly every person who passed through
the fire is wearing smoked glasses, or
else is unable to see at all.
Relief trains came up on the Duluth
road from st. Paul at frequent intervals.
and at every station people were ready
with supplies, which were brought to
this city for distribution.
The appointment of State commission
by the Governor to look after general re-
lief measures has met with general COM
mendation.
Word from the White Bear limited train
that Engineer James Root will recover
caused general rejoicing.
Thomas Dunn and his family of three
were buried to-day. Dunn was the heroic
telegraph operator who lost his life be-
cause he remained at his post until the
station was on fire. He sent the order
for the train to return and take those who
wanted to escape. The train carried away
over 300 people from the fire. Dunn then
jumped from the window and started for
gravel pit where so many saved their
lives. He was within five rods of the Dit
when he tell and was unable 10 get fur
ther.
ENGINEER BEsT's STORY. a.
WEST SUPERIOR (Wis.), Sept. En-
gineer William Bestof the original rescu-
ing passenger train on the Eastern Min
nesota tells the following story of the
rescue at Hinckley: ''Soon after leaving
Superior at l:l5 p. NJ. / had to light the
headlight, owing to the dense smoke
which turned day into night. The heat.
as we approached Hinckley, increased.
l expected when we reached that point
we would get in an opening and escape
the smoke. My surprise was great,
therefore, when we found the fire right
upon the town. 1t took but glance to
see the town was doomed. The wind
blew with great velocity, and the flames
fairly leaped through the air. The peo-
pie were taken by surprise and were
helpless. The coming fire seemed more
like stroke of lightning. Almost in an
instant the town was swept by pillows of
ftsaFn nf IL
and there was no use to look for orders.
for communication was cut oil. To STAY
and rescue as many as we could was our
duty. of course. but the great question.
aud upon it hung the lives OF many hum
dreds, was how long dare we wait
ED Barry, who was there with engine
No. %, and W. ID. Campbell. conductor,
were as plucky and brave fellows as ever
passed mile post. We knew we were
safe in making time, for we could return
on No. 23's time. We hastily coupled a
porto OF CainpbelPs freight train with
the engine ahead on TO the rear of our
train. The people rushed toward our
train and piled into the cars. Some were
aged and helpless, and tile women and
children had to be helped aboard. We
had TO shit the position of the train sew
eral times to prevent it from catching
fire. We were all breathing fire as it
was. We saw many sights that would
have filed lis with horror if seen under
other circumstances, but there was horror
everywhere. We saw people fall down
overcome by heat and smoke. / saw
mothers with babes make their last and
despairing effort to shelter their helpless
charges. We saw people surrounded by
fire. but there is no use trying to describe
il to you. a few of our passengers became
panic-stricken and wanted me to pull out
regardless of others at Hinckley. but of
course none of us thought of doing such
a cowardly and selfish act. We got about
400 people from Hinckley aboard, may
be more, aud slipped away to take
others who had run up the track. We
could not rescue any more of the peonle.