New-York tribune., 1900-04-23
REV. RICHARD LOvErr
DEADLY. FOREST FIRES.
HUNDREDS OF LIVES BELIEVED TO
HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE NORTH
WEST-A BRAVE RESCUE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

Minneapolis, Mimi. April 22.-The forests In
almost the entire northern portion of Minnesota
and the lower portion of Manitoba are in flames.
which In Minnesota extend for many miles
through st. Louis and Itasca counties in the
heavy pine timber belt of the State Already
several small settlements have been wiped out
and the fire spreads and grows the bigger
towns threatened. The loss of life WILL it is
believed. be heavy. as reports received show that
many persons have already perished In the
path OF the flames were the homes of hundreds
of settlers
Searching parties with wagons and accom-
panied by doctors and nurses are now securing
the edges of the burned district, In the hope of
picking up persons who have managed to es-
cape, although the chances of finding many
small. Men who have just come in from the
northern portion of the State Of the opinion
that the loss of life VIII equal that of the
HincIey fire of few years ago. when nearly
four hundred persons lost their lives.
For the first time in many years the timber
country in the northern portion of the State
and in the lower portion of Manitoba is as dry
tinder. caused by the lack of spring rains
and the absence of heavy snow last winter.
The fire has already invaded the proposed Ma
tional park OF Minnesota. in the Leech Lake
region and the small towns in that locality
fighting for life.
The little town of Nary has already been
wiped out completely as if it had never
listed. Since Friday night Mayor Wall OF Cass
Lake with a force composed of all the able
bodied men In the town, has been lighting the
rapidly encroaching flames The country be-
tween Hibhing and Swan River one hundred
miles northwest Of Duluth is vast furnace.
with chance Of escape for the settlers living
within the fire lines.
Inside Of the walls OF fire are from five hun
drcd to one thousand persons. and 1t is believed
that fully half OF them will perish. Thus far
half hundred more logging camps in addi-
tion to several. small towns, have been swept
away, and not a word has been heard from the
hundreds of men employed in them
A conductor, named Nelson, of Great North
train running between Ec1les and SoIway,
this State. has proved himself worthy iInitator
of the engineer. James Root hero Of the Hinch-
ley fire, who few years ago at the risk of his
own life ran his train through the burning woods
TO rescue party of men and women who had
taken refuge in Skunk Lake when driven from
Hinckley by the forest fire. Word came to Mel
that twenty women and children were
hemmed In by the fire between Solway and
Eckles. and that unless help reached them in q
short time they must all perish. Although he
knew that 1t was almost certain death to venture
with his train into the sea of flame Nelson
started 10 the rescue. Cutting off everything
but the caboose he ordered the engineer to so
ahead. and away dashed the train into the
blazing pine forest. The women and children
were finally reached crouchng in a big snkhole
alongside the tracks. with the giant pines on
either side of them blazing fiercely.
The heat was intense. The rails were begin
ming - warp and the paint and varnish on the
engine were beginning 10 peel off in huge
flakes. Quickly the refugees were packed into
the caboose, which was then drenched with
water from the sinkhoie. and the trip TO Eckles
was begun. Desperate chances taken by
the train crew. and more than the train
was saved from destruction only by the mercy
of Providence.
The women and children now being cared
for by the people OF Eckles, who may soon need
assistance themselves, as the flames bearing
down upon them from three sides.
Lumbermen say the flames have no; vet
reached the heaviest timber and predict a fire
that win be known in history Minnesotas
greatest forest fire.