The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1894-07-31
FIRE AT PHILLIPS
A Scene of Ruin Not Equalled
Since the Destruction
of Peshtigo.
Fifteen Lives Were Lost at PhiII,ps-BeIIe
PLANES, Ia, swept by the De-
stroying Element

MINSEAPOLls, july ia special to
the Tribune from Phillips, Wis. says the
terrible scene at Phillips beggars all
description the blackened faces OF those
who fought to save their homes. with
blood shot eyes. gaze at the blackened
heaps which mark their once happy
homes. Not since the forest fires de.
stroyed Peshtigo has anything occurred
which will compare to the scene Of ruin
here. A committee OF citizens from Ash
land arrived with a special train of pro
visions last night Ii was material re-
lief. and arrived just in time to keep
people from actually suffering from want
OF food. Provisions we're given out in
small quantities. 80 as to make them last
as long as possible, and keep something
available until provisions arrived Men
and women walked the streets all be
grimed, wringIng their hands and be
moaning their sad fate Only the town
hall and few small buildings are left
standing They were Immediately y con,
yerted into shelter for a destitute. but
only a few Of the women and children
could crowd into them. A vast multi
tude had to remain without shelter and
food last night; but tents we're brought
in from neighboring towns and impro-
vised huts ara being utilized tonight.
Gov. Peck and staff arrived from Madi-
son this morning. A dozen cars Of pro.
visions have arrived from various cities.
and an organization for relief has been
completed. Gov Peck met with the
committee at the town hall this morn
ing, and offered many suggestions He
brought d quantity 81 sheeting which il
| being converted into tents. Great
| crowds Of residents who left Friday re
turned today. Lumber is being shipped
in for the purpose Of rebuilding. and
operations have already begun.
Two more bodies have been recovered
from the river where the terrible hola.
caust occurred-thoseo q J. Locke and
one OF his children.
rhe boathouse on which the desper
{ fuge was showed from the shore. Before
IT had gone far suction Of the 6ames
drew II right up into a regular furnace
of fire The boats were either over
turned or the people jumped. 1t is estl-
mated that fifteen lives we're lost AT this
place. IL is supposed that the bodies OF
several children are buried under the
ruins OF the wagon bridge, which it is
claimed. gave away while they were try.
| ing to pass the flames To. the peninsula
which runs out into the lake. approach.
| ing closely To the location OF the John K
Davis Lumber company plant.
The list OF losses approximates ss fol
iowf; John r. Davis Lumber company
100000; Fayette Shaw Tannery com.
pany. eljO0OO; Wisconsin Central Rail.
way, 90. 600; Jsmp River Lumber com.
pany, 10000; city and county property
$4,000; Fifiel Manufacturing company
5000; Duluth. South Shore 4 Atlantic
railroad. $4,000; F. X. Hunt, saO.OOO
c. c. Keliher. SIS. 600; Jacob Rasmussen
$4,000; Giles house, $4,000. This. moi
counting half million loss to residence
owners.
The list OF dead recovered from the
river includes Mrs Dave Dryden and
two children. Mrs. Dave Locke and two
children. Frank Cliss and one child
There are four still in the water. Mrs
Jas. Locke and chrildren. The un
known person found proved to be q
woman.