Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-19
RELIEF is NEEDED
For the Sufferers from the Great For.
est Fires in Michigan.

Apena, Mich, oct. lS.-RepOrts to-
night from the hame-swept counties
in this section of the state indicate
improvem, at in the fire situation. But
the necessity FOR immediate substantial
relief for the refugees is hourly becom-
ing greater. The winds Iessened materi-
ally today which greatly aided the eff
forts of the fire fighters. Burt the tenn
perature began to drop this afternoon
and the colder weather will cause great
suffering among the homeless. burned
OFT refugees. camped in the open fields,
or huddled together in the few build
ings and shacks left in the little COM
muniteS which have been swept BY the
fires are hundreds of men, women and
children. who are in abject of need
al the absolute necessities of life. Many
of them were driven from their home.
in the night only partially clothed.
Not only the stores and houses
have been destroyed. but the crops are
also gone and the unfortunat"s muSi
look to the out side for food as well a.,
shelter. The relief problem is Occupying
the attention Of this city and all of the
communities in this section of the state
which escaped the fires. Three cars oi
food and tNo of building materials
were shipped to the Pressure Isle com
ty sufferers from here this afternoon.
More will 90 forward tomorrow. Re
ports and inquiries received today from
all over the state indicate that Michf
gan iSNalivc to the situation and that
inNnCdiatc help will be forthcoming.
BIT hne fresh report of loss of life
came into Alpcna today. Henry Hines.
his wife and two children are believed
to have been crematpd on their farm
near Cathro.
Pet Neen Metz and Rogers city sew
en- more bodies have been found max
ing Il total of 26 lives that are known
to have been lost in Presque Isle and
Alpena counties since Thursday night.
Rogers City last night reported il
imminent danger has been saved.
South Rogers which was reported de-
stroyed. is also safe. The village OF
Poscn has been in grave danger. but
its chances to escape destruction are
thought tonight to he better. AIpena
il still surrounded bv fires, but is not
in DANCE unless the wind should shift
to the north. From 800 to 1000 men are
constantly on The fire line. fighting the
Tt.lTncS DItk anu Ntf W II'tttt tilt
vicinity.
To tn noon A dwelling houses and 65
barns have been destroyed in Alpcnd
courty alone. Added to this is the loss
in this county OF several thousand
head of livestock. sheds. implements,
boat, and thousands of acres OF hard
wood timber The smoke here today
so thick that it was Impossible to see
aero: $ the street.
A public meeting was held here this
afternon ana a general relief commit
tee ii % i.iemherS was formed to take
charge of relief measures. Col w. 6.
Rogers. who was sent by Gov. Warner
to inv estigate the needs of the burned
district. teleeraphed today to the gov
ernOr from here:
"Haye been all over the Metz district.
Terrible devastation and suffering.
Hundreds of families homeless and des-
titute. Proclamation should ask people
to send clothing. provisions and bed
ding. stoves. utensils and forage for
animals Latter is espe cially urgent