The herald., 1894-07-30
.BEM0AN|NG THEIR FATE
Fire Sufferers at Phillips,
Wisconsin.
A Scene of Utter Ruin and
DesOlation.
Many Happy Homes Converted Into
Smoke and Ashes.
Fifteen Lives Lost In tho Boat House
HoIocaust-Rslief Trains Pour
ing In-Governor Peck
on the Ground.

MINNEAPoLIs, July ga special to
the Tribune from Phillips. Wis.,, says; ;
The terrible scenes at Phillips beggar
all description. With blackened faces
those who tried to save their property
stare with bloodshot eyes at the black
encd heaps which mark their once
happy homes. Not since the forest fires
which destroyed Peshtgo has anyt hing
occurred which will compare with the
scsne OF ruin here.
A committee of citizens from Ashland
arrived with a special train of provisions
last night at 8 p. m. 1t was the first
material relief to arrive, and 1t arrived
just in time to keep the people from
actually suffering from want of food.
Provisions were given out in Hmall guam
titles. go ae to make them last as long
as possible and keep something until
available provisions arrived.
DESTITUTE INHABITANTS.
Men and women walk the streets all
begrimsd, wringing their hands and be-
moaning their sad fate. The town hall
and few small buildings are all that
are left standing. They were immedi-
ately converted into shelter for the des-
titute, but only few OF the women and
children could crowd into them. A vast
multitude had to remain without shelter
and food last night, but tents were
brought in from neighboring towns and
improvised huts are being utilized to.
night.
GOVERNOR PECK ON THE GROUND.
Governor Peck and his staff arrived
from Madison this morning. A dozen
cars of provisions have arrived from
various cities and the organization for
| Peck met with the committee at the
town hall this morning and offered
many suggestions.- He brenzht guam
tity OF sheeting which is being converted
into tents. Great crowds of residents
who lett Friday returned today. Lum-
ber is being nhipped in for the purpose
of rebuilding and operations have al
ready begun.
THE BOAT HOUSE HOLOCAUST.
Two more bodies have been recovered
from the river. where the terrible holo-
caust occurEed-those Of J. Locke and
one of his children.
The boat house on which the desper-
ate men and women took refuge was
showed from the shore. Before it had
gone far the suction of the flames drew
it right up into regular furnace OF fire.
The boats were either overturned or the
people jumped. 1t is now estimated
that Is lives were lost at this place. 1t
is supposed that the bodies OF several
children were burned under the ruins
OF the wagon bridge, which it is claimed
xr-ht %
escape from the flames to the peninsula
which runs out into the lake, approach.
ing closely the location of the John Il.
Davis lumber company's plant.
Mrs. Cliss, who was picked up after
clinging to an overturned boat for over
an hour, is doing nicely and it is thought
will recover.
THE LIST OF LOSSES.
The list of losses approximate as fol-
lows: John r. Davis Lumber company,
$500 600; Fayette Shaw Tannery COM
pany, $l50.000; Wisconsin Central Rail-
way company. 10000; Jump River
Lumber company, $220,000; city and
county property, $4,000; Fifeld Manu-
featuring company, $4,000; Duluth.
South Shore and Atlantic Railroad COM
panv. $lO. 600; f. l.. Hunt. $4,000; G..
@. Kellhers, SIS, 900; Jacob Rasmusens,
$4,000; Giles house. $4,000.
This is not counting the $500,000 loss
to the residence owners.
BODIES RECOVERED.
The list of dead recovered from the
river up to 4 80 is 40 follows:
Mrs. Dave Briden and two children.
James Z. Locke and two children.
Frank Cliss and one child.
There are still three in the water
Mrs. James Locke and two children.
The unknown person found proved to
be woman.
RELIEF TRAINS POURING IN.
PHILLIPS. Wis, July 20. Relief trains
have fairly poured into Phillips today.
and there are supplies Of food here now
sufficient to last the fire sufferers q
month. The relief committee asks
especially for clothing and money.
Governor Peck is on the scene.
Men were ret to work building large
meas tent where the homeless people
will be fed, and putting up temporary
structures where. they can sleep.