Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-06

Milwaukee, Oct. 1.-THE peeuniary
damage wrought by the forest fires in
the northwestern part Of the state can
not be estimated at present. 1t may
amount to anywhere between $1,000
OO0 and S5,0O0,000. Many days will
elapse before the extent OF the ruin
will be known. A general rain is fall
ing through the state which the
weather bureau predicts will continue
ali day. This will undoubtedly put an
end to the devastation. Clarke, Chip
pewa and Barron counties appear to
nave suffered the greatest. Over 100
people are reported missing in the
vicinity of Rice Lake, 80 families are
homeless near cumberland, rs at
Turtle Lake and many farmers have
lost all their property and had a mar
row escape themselves. 1t is also be-
lived that many persons were burned
to death while fighting the flames.
Cumberland Still Threatened.
Cumberland, Wis, Oct. 2.-The for
est fires are still raging between here
and Clear Lake, though the rain is be-
ginning to eXtinguish them. The
town of Clayton, reported destroyed, is
out of danger, and no damage resulted
in that village. 1t is estimated that
100 families lost everything east OF
there. Adjutant General Boardman
was at Turtle Lake Saturday looking
after the wants of the suffering. Late
Saturday night d high wind began
blowing, placing the Gown again in
danger. Business was suspended and
the citizens were out in force fighting
the flames.
O. Farmers Lose Everything.
New Richmond, Wis, Oct. 3
Forest fires are still raging near Com
stock, east of Clayton and Turtle
Lake, where the greatest loss has
been to settlers. The heavy wind
is making the fire more dan
gerous. Hundreds of farmers lost
everything.
Colorado Springs Big Fire.
Colorado Springs, Col, Oct. q
This city had a visitation of fire Sat
uruay which threatened for four
hours to destroy the entire business
district. The wind was blowing a.
the rate of As miles an hour from the
southwest when the fire started at
the Denver & Rio Grande freight
depot at the foot Of Cuchares street at
2:10 p. N. The flames spread with
great rapidity. A strip of four blocks
long from north to south and two
blocks wide from east to west was
burned over.
The Antlers hotel, one of the largest
IN the west, three lumber yards and
two blocks of business houses were
destroyed. In round numbers the
loss is estimated at $1,000,000; insured
for 100000. The losses are estimated
as follows: Antlers hotel, $350,000;
Newton Lumber company, $4,000;
CROSBY & Foelwer Lumber company,
$4,000; Ell Paso Lumber company,
$4,000; Irving & Sons, blacksmiths,
$4,000; Denver & Rio Grande railroad,
$4,000; Gulf depot, $4,000; Home
hotel, $4,000; general losses to bust
ness not enumerated, about $465, 200.
Even the Ground Burning.
Denver, Oct. Poorest fires which
are devastating the western portion
of the state are burning with una
bs,ted fury, only subsiding where fuel
is exhausted. A special to the Rocky
Mountain News from Red Cliff says:
From reports Of the territory in the
grasp Of the fire there will be little
timber left to tell the tale. The new
country now sending fire and smoke
heavenward is Bear, Willow and Lake
creeks, a magnificent stretch of forest.
Ranchers on core creek are having a
desperate time saving their homes.
Along the side hills near Mintusn even
the ground is burning. Cattlemen
are getting their cattle into the lln-
burnt districts as rapidly as possible.