The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-16
Brtef summary of the Losses Caused
by Forest Fires I'm Oregon, WASH
ington and Montana.
CAMPERS AMONG THE VICTIMS
WERE ENJOYING AN OUTING WHEN
OvERTAKEN BY THE FLAMES.
Charred Wagon and Horses Belonging
to One Party Found in the Woods,
but No Trace of the Men.

PORTLAND, Ore, Sept. 15-Twenty
lives have been lost and IL is roughly esti-
mated that 81 10000 worth Of property has
been destroyed during the past week by
forest fires in Oregon and Washington.
Many more people are missing, but II will
not be known how many are dead until
reports from remote districts come in. The
estimate of the property loss does not in
clude standing timber, but covers saw
mills, houses, barns. shops. cordwood and
farm implements. Thousands of acres OF
timber have been burned over, but the
destruction OF great timber has not been
heavy. Relief Is being hurried from this
city, Tacoma. Seattle and Vancouver,
Wash, to those who have lost their homes
and crops. The districts where the great
est destruction occurred are Lents, Spring
water and Bridal Veil, in Oregon, and
Fifty Plain, Lewis River and Elma, Wash.
In all the places II is estimated there are
about 500 people without food and shelter.
The fires have nearly burned out and
this morning the smoke cleared away so
that the sun was visible most of the af-
ternoon. This morning, however. the
smoke was thicker in Portland than
at any time this year. Between midnight
and daylight 1T was impossible to see fifty
feet away and the arc lights could hardly
be distinguished from the nearest side
walks. In the harbor the steamboats, did
not dare TO stir, as the smoke was
dense that it was dangerous. In Multi
nonah and Clackamas counties the fires
have practically burned out and the set
tiers are returning to their homes. Along
both sides of the Columbia river fires are
still burning, though the worst is over.
The situation in Cowlitz county, WASH
ington. is deplorable. Twelve lives were
lost along the Lewis river on Sunday and
many miles OF valuable timber laid waste
Communication is cut off with a section of
the country around Mount st. Helens and
1t is not unlikely that there has been loss
of life there. A dispatch from Kalama,
where great loss of life was reported Sat-
urday and yesterday. says News from
the fire on Lewis river yesterday confirms
the report of Saturday night and adds to
the losses. The fallen timber has blocked
the only road leading up the river, so that
the work Of the rescuers Is slow. A party
OF ten persons with team was known to
be camping In the timbers. The charred
remains of the team and wagon were
found, but no trace of the people can be
found. A great number of people were
In the timber at and around Trout lake
fishing and hunting, but no authentic re-
ports has been received from them and
IL IS reared tnere mas Deen loss OF D1e
Tacoma. Wash, reports that the smoke
has cleared away and the sky Is again
visible. Fires have abated in all directions.
Reports from Marion county, Washington,
say the sky has cleared there, the fires
have ceased and the men have gone back
to- work in the logging camps. The dam
age Is less than had been apprehended.
The latest report from the Lewis river
forest fire shows that the fire Is practically
exhausted and that relief parties are en-
abled TO cover the devastated territory and
gather more definite information. 1t is
positively known that sixteen persons have
been burned TO death. as follows: AL Reed
and son and a party of seven others whose
bodies are burned beyond recognition, w.
Z. Newhouse, Mrs. Graves John Polly, wife
and two children and a brother of Mrs.
Polly. ID. l. Wallace and family. who were
reported among the dead, reached Trout
lake and were saved. A large number of
campers ct the lake saved themselves by
taking to the water on logs and RATS.
Forty families are left homeless and des-
titute- But two houses are left standing
on the Upper Lewis river.