The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-10-21
Michigan Sufferers IN Need
of Food and Shelter.
GOVERNOR ISSUES AN APPEAL
Calls Attention to Pitiable Condition
of Those Whose Homes Were
Destroyed by Blaze In
the Forests.

Detroit, Mich. Oct. 19.-Keports from
the forest fire district of northern
Michigan were fragmentary, but there
were indications Of improvement In
the general situation as far as immi-
nent danger to life and property was
concerned. But as to the victims who
survived the destruction of their homes
and villages conditions are pitiful In
the extreme, with the likelihood Of
exposure In the event of a sudden drop
of temperature falling upon the half
clothed refugees camped in box cars
and open fields.
Governor Fred NJ. Warner issued an
appeal to the people of Michigan for
contributions, and Mayor William b.
Thompson of Detroit has called spe-
cial meeting Of the common council to
consider the matter Of contributing re-
lief. The Detroit board of commerce
held a meeting at the Detroit club to
arrange the details " shipping pre-
liminary carload Cr l-""'s;ons and
bedding north at noon today, and Gov
General McGuerrin Of the state troops
to take the initiative in similar meas
ures at Grand Rapids.
President j. ID. Hawks OF the De
troit and Mackinac railroad received
word that forest fires were seriously
threatening the town Of Ossineke,
south Of Alpena. on Thunder bay.
N.,-
Of the state troops, who was sent into
the burned district to investigate con-
ditions. telegraphed Governor Warner
that there was no need Of troops, as
the fire situation was improved tempo
rarily at least. The immediate need.
General Rogers reported, was for bed
ding and food for the refugees and
fodder for horses and cattle.
Following Is the governors appeal
to the people of Michigan for con-
tributions:
"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 500 of our peo-
pie homeless and dependent upon i'm
mediate public charity.
''The loss and suffering are 80 great
and the need for assistance Is so cry
ing that there should be prompt ac-
tiOn on the part Of the public gener-
ally. The men, women and children
who have narrowly escaped death are
ehelterless and destitute. Food, cloth
ing, bedding, furniture, money and
building materials and forage for ami
mails should be donated at once, to the
end that the suffering Of these unfortu-
nate people may be lessened and that
none may perish from hunger or ey-
posure.
II therefore urge upon the charita.
bic people Of this great state, SO boun-
tifully blessed with comfort and
wealth, to Immediately come to the re-
lief Of these stricken people. Alpena
will be the distributing point. All do.
nations may be sent In care of J. D.
Hawks, president of the Detroit and
Mackinac railroad.
II am already assured that the De-
troit and Macklnac, the Michigan Cen
trail and the Pere Marquette railroads
will transport everything free Of
charge, and undoubtedly all the other
railroads whose officials 1 have not
yet been able to see will do likewise"
Mayor William B. Thompson in his
proclamation says:
"The northern part Of the state Of
Michigan is being swept by forest fires
appalling in their magnitude.
'Scores Of lives have already been
lost, thousands have been rendered
homeless, the loss in property is be-
yond estimation, and the end has not
yet come.
''rhe condition Of the survivors is
pitiful in the extreme. They have
been stripped Of all their worldly pos
sessions, and the northern winter is