Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-10-22
THE SUCCOR OF
THE SUFFERERS
THE VICTIMS OF THE FOREST
FIRES ARE DESTITUTE
AND NEED HELP.
CONDITION is PITIABLE
Hope That the Worst Is Over SO Far
As the Fire Can Do Harm, But
More Suffering is Imminent.


fering by the fire swept districts of
northern Michigan may never be writ
ten. Driven from their homes before
towering sheet OF flame; if they
dared to look back, seeing those
homes reduced 10 ashes, and buryina
themselves lis the ground for hours
at time while the fiery blast passed
over them; racing against death, bear
ing the charred remains Of those they
loved-these are but a few of the ter.
rible experiences related by those who
have passed through Presque Isle
county over the ID. & NJ railroad
since the first news Of the awful forest
fires were known to the people of the
state. Now follows more suffering, for
food, clothing and shelter. Speedily as
these necessities may be forwarded to
the stricken people much suffering
will ensue before relief comes.
J. ID. Hawks, president of the ID. &
NJ. Railway Co. gives this graphic view
OF the rapid spread of the fires: "One
of the difficulties in connection with
forest fire is the insidious rapidity
with which it gains ground 1t must
be seen TO be realized. Stumps at a
the blaze will suddenly shoot into
flame, as though by spontaneous COM
bustion. The sparks seem to be invis
IDLE to the naked eve. To illustrate
three little children applied at farm
house for shelter and were taken in
and put to bed. While they were being
questioned about the fire from which
they had fed, their later refuge was
completely enveloped in flames, and
consumed before one little tot could
be carried out. This is only one in
stance of many. The whole country in
the fire swept area is replete with hor-
rors.
There is no occasion for Mysteries
The point is simply this: These peo-
pie must be supported for the winter
They can. many of them, be employed
in removing the charred timber, and
next spring in thing the ground which
is burned deep down in the soil. Some
few of the farmers have small bank
accounts. While they are hard-work-
ing and thrifty life has always been
a struggle for them, and with most of
them. whatever they have accumulat-
ed by long years of painful toll, is
wiped out
Many touching incidents are related
of the horrors which fell upon the
people and more never will be. The
following is an example OF them:
How a little boy brought to group
of fire victims, clustered near Metz,
the ashes of the body of his baby sis
ter, all wrapped carefully in a tiny
handkerchief, was told by Miss Cas-
sic Rowland, of Millersburg.
Governor Warner on Sunday re-
ceived this report on the situation in
the burned district: Have been all
over the Metz district Terrible devas.
tation and suffering. Hundreds of fam.
lilies homeless and destitute. No troops
or tents wanted in this section, d. &
NJ providing lumber and box cars for
| temporary shelter and carrying sup
plies free. Proclamation should ask
people to send clothing, bedding,
stoves, utensils and forage for ami.
mails. Latter is especially urgent. Have
ordered all blankets in the hands of
Alpena company sent to Metz. Will re.
port later on conditions at Rogers
City. (Signed) ROGERS"
The governor Immediately issued a
proclamation calling on all the people
of the state to aid the sufferers. II
closes with these instructions for
sending aid: Il 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 J. ID. Hawks, president of
the Detroit & Mackinac railroad. who
is giving his personal attention to the
relief of the sufferers. am already as.
sured that the Detroit * Mackinac, the
Michigan Central and the Pere Mar
quette railroads will transport every.
thing free Of charge, and undoubtedly
all other railroads whose officials I
have not yet been able to see, will do
likewise
The mayor of Detroit also issued n
proclamation to citizens in which he
said OF the need for help: They need
money. they need clothes. they need
food, they need shelter" Other cities
and towns in the state have made sim
liar calls on the people.
The exact number of dead may no,
be known for weeks. but It is likely TO
reach 80 or more. At Metz the dead
have been buried in crude boxes. il
being impossible to procure collins fol-
them
Tar paper houses are being put up
rapidly TO shelter the people. The
condition of the people is pitiable. but
they are working bravely to help
themselves.
II is estimated that 5000 or more
are destitute.
The relief movement is under way.
Public meetings have been held in
Detroit and other cities. and already
carloads Of provisions. clothing, stoves
and other supplies are on the way
north. Detroit plans to contribute SIS.
900 in cash and supplies.
The weather turned cold Monday as
hopes that the fire would subside be-
gan to cheer those in the refugee
camps at Posen, Metz. Laroque, On.
away and other towns.
What is for convenience called the
Metz district 1re-the Presque Isle,
MontmOrency and Alpena county blaze