The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-01
WISCONSIN PINES ARE
REDUCED TO ASHES.
Tornado Hurls Blazing Fagots
Into Cumberland.
TOWN IS PARTLY WIPED OUT.
Smoke and Firebrands Terrify the
People, Who Run Ahoat Terror
Stricken and Helpless-Twenty-
ave Families observation-disclosures
At Drywooa Burned to Death-Mii-
lions of Standing Timber Lost.
TOWN IS PARTLY WIPED OUT

ST. PAUL, Sept. so.-A Cumberland,
Wis. special 70 the Dispatch says; Cum
berland presents a sad sight today. The
mill portion OF the town IS q SuoiderinS
heap OF ruins. The loss Is about slSo.oVo
Forest fires were swept into the city from
the southwest about clock last night
by tornado. The flames spread with
rapi1ity that threa tened not only the en-
tire city. bur the lives OF the inhabitants.
Every part OF the town was filled with
smoke and dying fire brands, and people
were running In every direction. panic
stricken. Two freight trains took about
hundred people 10 Still Laiee. and hundreds
more sought the west lake shore Tor safe
ty Meanwhile. the volunteer fire depart
ment did heroic work In trying TO save the
business portion Of the city. \ timely
downpour OF rain helped the nre'nen TO
check the flames on the west side. but no
human power could save the city east OF
the Omaha railroad including the lumber
yard of the Beaver Dam Lumber Company
and various residences. Twenty-Five rant
mill plant, valued at S2-a.vn. Wa. s,..iIr.N.
About forty farmers southeast OF the city
lost their homes and crops.
Woman Burned to Death.
MILWAUKEE. Sept 3o-Reports re-
ceiyed at railway offices In this city say
OF the state were Quenched by the heavy
rain of last night. Mrs. Jacob Corrlson az
Drywood was burned to death. Many
wires are down and full details are lacking.
The peeuniary loss is expected to reach
81. COO ooo.
Fifty farmers near Rice Lake los. all
their. posst ssions. The Johnson Bros
It's stock Of hardwood lumber. with no
insurance.
The town Of Alemena, near Rice Lake,
A special from Eau Claire says. the
Northwestern Lumber Company lost 2,0Do
900 feet, of sawioss above anley.
that region. Rain last night has checked
the fires.
New Richmond. Wis reports, the fires
generally out, although much damage has
been done.
Millions OF Lumber Destroyed.
CHIPPEWA FALL. Wis. Sept. 3d.
Lumber companies are sending hundreds
of men 70 the woods In an endeayor to
check the forest fires.
Chippewa and Clarke counties. Outside
these TWO counties the fires have generally
been checked by ran. It is estimated that
stroyei. Many farm houses have been
destroyed. Many hundreds of farms in
!ngs ard grain. Organized bands Of farm
ers have been trying to stop the flames.
but with little success. No estimate can
be placed on the damage done 10 gathered
Der.
Perished in His Well.
RICE LAKE, Wis. Sept. 3o-~The forest
fires in the city are nearly abated, but
damage has been wrought for miles west
OF the city. Nels Lanson, farmer at
tempted 10 save himself by going into his
well The we'll house caught fire and Ian
sen perished. II is estimated that the
losses in Barron, Washburu and Sawyer
counties have been at least million and
q hair dollars, principally lumber.