Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-10-06
FORESTS. ON FIRE.
People Said to Be Fleeing for Their
Lives In Colorado.
MANY WISCONSIN TOWNS WIPED OUT


Fires In South Dakota.
Idaho Springs, COL, Sept. 3O.-For.
est fires burning on the west side OF
the divide are beyond control and
people are said to be fleeing for their
lives. How many, Il any, have per-
ished cannot be known, as there is no
way Of getting direct information at
this time. A light breeze gives the
mighty sea Of fire new impetus and
onward it goes, burning everything
before it, with no chance OF saving
live stock or property. Cattle are
known to be perishipg and bear and
deer and other wild animals are rum
ming to the east side OF the divide.
The damage will be tremendous. The
timber losses amount to more than
money consideration. These forests
cover the head waters of mountain
streams, where the SHOWS are retained
for many months. From such sources
the streams have been kept carrying
volume of water sufficient to irrigate
most of the lands of the state west OF
the divide. With the disappearance
of the timber the flow Of the streams
will be lessened.
There seems to be settled opinion
among the ranchers that the forest
fires were started by the Ute Indians
with malicious intent. They say the
forcible election Of the Indians and
their return to the reservation more
than a year ago, because Of their
slaughter Of game, made them bitter
against the whites. They are now
playing even, the settlers think, and
at the same time driving some of the
game into Utah, where they can hunt
without being molested by game
wardens
The fires which are reported cover
most of the northwestern part OF the
state and extend through the counties
of Routt, Rio Blanco, Grand, Larimer,
Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin and Summit.
They are doing great damage to every
interest Of that section.
MANY WISCONSIN TOWNS WIPED OUT.
Milwaukee, Sept SO.-A special from
Chippewa Falls, Wis, says: Forest
fires are raging to an alarming extent
in this section Hundreds Of farmers
are working night and day fighting
the flames Four homes and other
buildings have been destroyed and
many persons seriously burned. Only
heavy fall OF rain will prevent seri-
Gus loss. At Cum berland fire, supposed
to have originated from forest fires,
burned half of that city yesterday,
causing a property loss estimated at
$s25, OOO About s5 families are home
less. Five children are reported
burned to death. A large sawmill Is
among the buildings burned, throwing
many out of employment. Rain saved
the entire city from being burned. AT
Rice Lake forest fires are doing great
damage. Sixteen farmhouses are re-
ported to have been burned yesterday
afternoon. The wind was blowing a
gale and served to spread the fires. Al
Cedar lake the fire destroyed consider
able property owned by the Knapp
Stout Lumber company. A large por
ton OF Clear Lake, town of 600 in
habitants, is reported destroyed. AL
mena, town Of 800, and Poskin,
town of 200, both on the 500 line, are
said to have been wiped out, but nc
loss of life has been reported.
NoTRH DAKOTA TIMBER ABLAzE.
Washington, Sept SO.-The secre
tary of the interior yesterday received
the following dispatch from Repre-
sentative Knowles, of North Dakota
"Black hill forest fires destroying
towns and life. Can't troops at For
Meade help fight fire? Send answe
to mayor of Deadwood." The secre
tary Of the interior forwarded tn
message to the war department will
the request that aid, if possible, b.
furnished.
CHECKED BY RAIN IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Deadwood, 5. d., Sept 3O.-A heav.
rain yesterday checked the timbe
fires which have been burning severa
! days. An area of 80 miles long an
six miles wide, containing the bes
I timber in the Black hills, has bee
. devastated and the loss will amour
to hundreds of thousands of dollars
There has been no loss Of life so far
known.
, The Letter Got Him into Trouble.