River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-10-22
RELIEF IS SENT
TO FIRE VICTIMS
MICHIGAN is QUICK TO HELP ITS
STRICKEN PEOPLE.
GOVERNOR ISSUES APPEAL
Detroit Also Adopts Prompt Measures
General Situation Improved
but Conditions are PitifuI
Among Survivors.

provement in the general situation so
far as imminent danger to life and
property was concerned.
But as to the victims who survived
the destruction of their homes and viii
lagos, conditions are pitiful in the ex-
IRENE with the likelihood of greater
distress and many deaths from ex-
posture in the event of sudden drop
of temperature falling upon the half
clothed refugees camped in box cars
and open fields.
Relief Measures Taken.
Gov. Fred M Warner Sunday is
sued an appeal to the people of Michi-
gan for contributions, and on call of
Mayor William B. Thompson of De-
troit a special meeting of the COM
mon council was held Monday morn
ing to consider the matter of con-
tributing relief. A public meeting also
was held in the mayors office at noon
for the same purpose and Bishop
Charles d. Williams of the Episcopal
diocese of Michigan, who has just re-
turned from the fire district, described
Detroit board of commerce held
meeting at the Detroit club Sunday
night to arrange the details of ship
ping preliminary car load of provis-
ions and bedding north Monday and
Gov. Warner directed Adit. Gen. Nc
Gurren of the state troops to take the
initiative in similar measures at Grand
Rapids. The Detroit & Mackinac
Railroad company has already sent
dozen car loads of provisions, lumber
and hay into the burned district from
Bay City.
Town of Ossineke Threatened.
President J. D. Hawks of the De-
troit & Mackinac railroad received
word Sunday that forest fires were
seriously threatening the town of Os-
sineke, south of Alpena on Thunder
bay. Mr.. Hawks said he had received
no reports from Alpena or Rogers
City and he was confident he would
have heard something If the situation
at those points had not improved.
Quartermaster Gen. w. J. Rogers, of
the state troops, who was sent into
the burned district to investigate con-
ditions, telegraphed Gov Warner to-
day that there was no need of troops.
as the fire situation was improved,
temporarily at least. The immedi-
ate need, Gen. Rogers reported, was
for bedding and food for the refugees
and fodder for horses and cattle.
GoNAnnoryc for LaIn
Following is the governors appeal
to the people of Michigan for contri-
buttons:
ITO the People Of Michigan.-The
destructive forest fires which have
ragged over the northern part of the
state during the past week and which
have been attended with such fearful
loss of life and property, have already
rendered about five hundred of our
people homeless and dependent upon
immediate public charity. The prompt
relief furnished by the officials of the
Detroit & Mackinac Railroad company
and others is most commendable, but
the loss and suffering are so great and
the need for further assistance is so
crying that there should be prompt
action on the part of the public gen.
orally.
"The men, women and children who
have narrowly escaped death are shell.
terless and destitute. Food, clothing,
bedding, furniture, money and build.
ing material and forage for animals
should be donated at once so that the
sufferings of these people should be
lessened and that none may perish
from hunger or exposure, l therefore
urge upon the charitable people of this
great state, so bountifully blessed with
comfort and wealth, to Immediately
come to the relief of these stricken
people Alpena will be the distribut
ing point All donations may be sent
in care of ]. d. Hawks, president of
the Detroit & Mackinac railroad, who
is giving his personal attention to the
relief of the sufferers. I am already
assured that the Detroit & Mackinac,
the Michigan Central and the Pere
Marquette railroads will transport
everything free of charge and undoubt.
edly all the other railroads, whose Of
ficials have not yet been able to see.
will do likewise.
Fred M. Warner, Governor"
Known Dead Are Twenty-Six.
Alpena, Mich, Oct. 19.-Reports
from the fame-swept counties in this
section of the state indicate improve
ment in the fire situation. But the
necessity for immediate substantial re-
lief for the refugees is hourly becom-
ing greater.
But one fresh report of loss of life
came into Alpena Sunday. Henry
Hines, his wife and two children are
believed to have been cremated on
their farm near Cathro.
Between Metz and Rogers City seven
more bodies have been found, making
total Of 26 lives that are known to
have been lost in Pressure Isle and AL
pena counties since Thursday night.
Rogers City, reported in imminent
danger. has been saved. South Rogers
is also safe.