The Princeton union., 1901-10-31
BAD FOREST FIRES.
Vast Tracts of Timber in Kanabec,
Mile LacS, Benton and Nor
riSOn Counties Burn.
Thousands of Tons of Hay Destroyed
and Much Farm Property
Suffers as Well.

The forest fires that ragged through
out a large portion of northern Mile
Lacs, Kenabec and western Morrison
counties the past week, did a great
amount of damage, and thousands of
tons of hay, besides many farm build
ings have been destroyed. The fires
started burning early last week, at
various points, and extended from the
South Fork country in Kanabec county
through Mile Laos, and parts of Nor
rison and Benton counties. Sections
of country around Tibbets and
Whitney brooks were burned over,
the fires extending as far as the Skunk
river country ia Morrison county, and
close up around the lake country. For
tunately the heavy rain of Monday
night served to check and put out the
fires, and probably prevented lot of
bad forest fires. The Prouty farm
escaped the flames, but west5in Morri-
son county, there was great damage to
settlers. One farmer lost 125 tons of
hay, and another 60 tons. Back on
Tibbets brook the fires reached the
farm of man by the name OF Marshall
and while the whole family was out
fighting the fire the farmers daughter
fell dead with heart disease. The poor
girls body was dragged away and tenn
porarily cared for until the fires could
be extinguished. Father Levings went
girl.
At Page the Pleasant Valley stock
farm lost 20 tons of hay. Over in
Morrison county, around Skunk river,
Sylvan Kake and Hillman brook, John
Mcclure says settlers lost 200 tons of
hay last Wednesday.
Last Friday and Saturday the fires
were burning quite fercely around
Ogilvie on both sides of the track. and
settlers in many places suffered in con-,
sequence. The woods had become very
dry and fires were setsvery easily! In
many places the fires are Still shoulder
ing, and as soon as the leaves and
brush dry out, there will be danger Of
more fires
The Mora Times of last week saws:
"Ihe heavens were blackened the first
three days of the week by the smoke of
heavy forest fires in Southfork, Kama
back and Knife Lake towns, which
after destroying thousands of dollars
in property have somewhat subsided
and are nearly under control. The
heavy growth of grass and underbrush
which has become very dry, made
choice fuel for the roaring flames and
little could be done to check the fire.
On Tuesday the village of Ogilvie and
near by settlers were in dire danger
and help was called for from this CITY.
Fortunately change of wind together
with hard work by every available
man, saved the town and many homes
OF settlers. Mr. Richards, ranchman,
who owns the big swamp south of Ogil-
vie, lost 40 tons of hay; Ann River Co.,
60 tons; Mr.. Locke, 80 tons: Feather
stone & Co., 125 tons; and Mr.. Dalles-
hall, As tons.''
The Milaca Times says: ':Some
excitement Was created here during
Monday afternoon by the report that
Foreston was in great danger from a
forest fire that was sweepinp down
from the northward, but after a hard
fight the danger was averted. An
appeal for help to check the fires rag
ing north Of Milaca, reached here
Monday night. With the calm and
dampness of the night, the fires were
finally got under control"