The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1894-09-13

Six towns wiped out and more than
zoo dead is the record made by the forest
fires in this State in the past twenty
four hours. In Hinckley, Sandstone,
Pokegama, Sandstone Junction, Skunk
Lake and Mission Greek there are 355
known dead. In addition several hun
dred are missing, while from $50 to 200
were scattered on farms throughout the
district burned over. The destruction
was complete in most of the towns
named, but some of the forest land es-
capped. The loss, however, will be in
the millions, and the loss of life will not
be definitely known for several days. if
ever. The relief trains brought supplies
sent out from St. Paul, Minneapolis,
Duluth and other towns, and the suffer-
ers are being cared for at this and other
points.
The town of Hinckley, Mimi, about
half way between this city and Duluth,
has been wiped out by forest fires, and
the list of the dead may reach 1,00O. II
will certainly exceed 200, and reports now
being received would indicate that the
larger figure may not be too great On
the train to-day from there there were
one or two people who came through the
fires and who have graphic stories to re-
late of the scene. The train from Du-
luth reached a point a mile and half
north of Hinckley some time after mid
night, and was forced to return to
threatening flames. Half dozen pas
hor nd n
rode through the flames to Hinckley,
there and returning to this city. On
their ride on the hand-car they encoun-
tered twenty-seven dead bodies along
discovered at Hinckley during the morn
ing, and twenty-one others had been
found up to l o'clock. They say the
people of Hinckley ran into the woods
when their homes caught fire, and as the
timber afteward burned, it is probable
that great numbers persisted. The most
conservative estimate of the dead is 200.
The whole country around Hinckley is
disaster cannot be learned for day or
two.
1t is feared several other towns have
suffered like fate. Milica called Tor
help yesterday, and the relief train from
st. Cloud was unable to 60 beyond,
Bridgeman. Nothing further has yet
been received from Milica, and how
much has been the suffering cannot at
this time be known. Bridgeman was
apparently safe after hard fight. The
flames, however, were very threatening
around that town, and as it is very dry
all over that part of the State, the worst
is feared. Those who came through the
fires around Hinckley on the hand car
suffered severely from burning. Their
injuries, however, will not prove fatal.
They tell many sad stories of what they
saw. One woman had evidently tried to
save her five children, and was overtaken
by the fierce flames, and the whole lam
lily persisted close to the railroad. Inc
passenger train from Duluth, on which
these men were, is in ashes, and the rest
of the passengers have taken refuge In
a marsh near Skunk Lake, where they
are surrounded by fire. The engineer
was badly burrnd by the flames, but stood
at his post and took all of the passengers
out of the fire safely. This engineer,
James Root, is one OF the best known
and Quickest of those in the employ OF
the St. Paul and Duluth. He tried to
take his train through the fires to Hinck-
ley, but when the cars caught from the
flying embers he reversed his engine and
backed at full speed to Skunk Lake. 1t
was so dark during the day that it was
almost impossible for any one to see l0O
feet away, and during the night the head
light on the engine was useless. Engl-
neer Roots injuries are quite serious,
but it is hoped he will recover, although
one report gives no hope.