Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-29
DISASTROUS FIRES.
Two Towns and a Village Wiped Oh
the Map.
PROMPT RELIEF AFFORDED.
Provisions, Clothing, and Tents Sent to
the People Made Destitute-Ths
Flames Now Extinguished.

MILWAUKEE,, WIS. July 2s.-PhIlllps.
a town on the Wisconsin Central road,
I'm the northern part of the State, was
wiped out by a forest-fire last night. three
thousand people being rendered homeless.
THREE TOWNS DESTROYED.
MILWAUKEE, WIS, July 2s.-General-
Manager Whitcomb, Of the Wisconsin
Central railroad, this noon made the
following statement in regard TO the
forest-fres in the northern part Of the
State:
Trains from the south have reached
the south end OF the Phillips yard.
Trains from the north have reached the
first bridge north of Phillips. about one
mile north OF the station; this bridge
having been damaged by fire. Nearly the
whole city OF Phillips is destroyed, in
GLIDING the saw and planning mills and
box factory OF the John X. Davis Lumber
Company, and Shaw's tannery. About
thirty houses are left in Phillips. Aside
from the people rendered homeless IN
Phillips, a great many settlers have lost
their homes aad all their belongings.
The fires in the forests are still burn
ing, but some rain fell last night, ana
the fires are not spreading.
The loss Is estimated at several million
dollars The towns Of Phillips. the county
seat of Pine county. and Shores Crossing,
and the village Of Mason, In Bayfield,
county, are wiped off the map. Philips
was a town Of 5000 inhabitants. Most of
these are homeless.
The loss at Mason will reach 100000;
that at Philips three times as much.
The entire northern portion Of the
State. the lumber region, IL fun Of Forest
fires. which are doing immense damage
90 standing timber
II is reported that many lives have
been lost. but no authentic reports have
been received.
QUICK RELIEF.
MILWAUKEE, WIS. July 2s.-The total
destruction by forest fires Of the prosper
Gus town Of Phillips. In Pine county,
brought quick ard generous responses 70
the appeals for succor from all parts OF
the Badger State to-day. The bare news
that 5000 men, women. and children had
been suddeny rendered homeless and des-
flute OF the necessaries Of existence
awakened quick sympathy. In which the
authorities and businessmen of Milwau-
kee were leaders. The escape of all the
unfortunate victims from death or seri-
Gus burning was considered most mracu-
lous when they were surrounded by the
flaming forests and buildings OF the
town. The Big Elk river which runs
through Phillips, AFFORDED a haven OF
refuge TO many Of the inhabitants. Inc
destruction Of Phillips was followed by
the prayed-for rain. which soon quenched
the forest-fires along the Northern Pa
cifc. Omaha and South Shore roads be-
tween West Superior and Ashland, as
well as the destructive fires TO the south,
on the line OF the Wisconsin Central ana
in the Michigan peninsula, and in the
GOgebec Range region.
PROVISIONS AND TENTS.
Provisions. clothing. and tents are In
the hands of the Phillips victims tonight.
Report from Shores Crossing which was
partly burned. show that the people are
not in want Of the necessaries Of life.
Ouarterin lster- General Ayre today re-
ceived the following dispatch from the
Governor:
"OCONOMOWOC. WIS. July %. 1924.
Meet me at the st. Paul depot, MIL
waukee. at $3.50. Arrange for two or three
cars on the Wisconsin Central road to
send relief 10 Phillips tonight. Buy 10
barrels Of -four and 300 pounds Of bacon.
idtll~f tt'. ihN 4fN'v i'1f'N Va ~ Nt''f'
Get the things under way. and We viii
arrange the rest on my arrival
tsisueD GEORGE W. PECK"
The following dispatch was received by
Governor peck from General DAVIS. chair
man Of the County Board at Phillips,
and repeated to General Ayre.
Governor Peck:
send tents and blankets for 1oo0 peo-
pie. r.. w DAVIS"
MILWAUKTE'S CONTRIBUTION
Mayor KoclS received an appeal from
Phillips. and Immediately notified Presi-
dent Hanson. Of the Merchants and Man
ufacturcrs' Association, and a call for a
meeting OF that organization was made
IT 3 o'clock tins evening. Il was decided
20 send three cars Of provisions on the
$50 o'clock passenger train over the VS.
consIn Central.
The first contribution TO the Phillips
sufferers to-day was carload Of -four
from the Milwaukee mllers, and eight
ears Of provisions are already on the
road 20 Phillips from Wausaka, Ashland,
Fairfield. and other points.
THE FIRES ENTINGUlSHED.
IRONWOOD. MICH, July 2S-The dis
astrous forest fires which have been
raging I'm the Gogebec Range this week
were extinguished to-day by a heavy rain.