Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-09-07
HARD WORK SAVES VILLAGE
FROM DESTRUCTION nv FIRE

Duluth, Mimi, Sept 6.--After de-
stroyng the town of Chisholm on the
Mesaba range and burning over thou
sandakof acress,ln ST. Louis, 9areiton
and Itasca counties In Minnesota and
the northern portions of Douglass
county, Wisconsin, the many forest
fires which have been raging in these
districts were checked today. and it
the wind does not spring mp again 1t is
not likely that further damage will be
done.
The strong wind which had driven
the flames before II in many tlmbered
and agricultural districts subsided this
morning and the thousands of home
less people were given a chance to
take stock of their belongings and pre-
pare to replace the many burned
farms and settlements and the once
flourishing town of Chisholm. on the
Mesaba range, sixty-five miles north
of Duluth.
The subslding fire enabled the in
habitants of Buhl and Nashwauk to
save those towns. Several buildings
at the edge of Nashwauk were burn
ed. but by valiant, all night work, the
/ 900 miners and citizens prevented
the flames from sweeping over the
village The town was entirely sur
rounded by a wall of fire and its es-
cape from obliteration was remark
able. There Is little timber adjacent
to Buhl, and although forest fires COM
pletely surrounded the village, the 500
inhabitants had only TO extinguish the
inclpient bla2es started by falling
brands TO protect the village. Nash
wauk is twenty-five miles southwest OF
Chisholm, and Buhl Is seven miles to
the east.
Chisholm presents scene OF ruin
and desOlation. Blackened and smOk-
Ing piles OF charred wood little heaps
Of gray ashes stirred by the breeze,
seorched, gaunt skeletons of brick and
mortar, all canopied with a dense pail
of smoke, comprise what was one OF
the most flourishing towns on the Mes.
aaba iron range. The only remaining
buildings are the new $125.00O high
school, the graded school, the Cath
ollc church, the italian church and n
dozen dwellings In the southern part OF
the town which were saved by a few
heroic fire fighters who stuck to their
posts In the face OF the cyclonic on
slaught Of the flames and smoke.
The damage to property Is estimat-
ed at $l,000.000. and the personal
property at s750.00O, including the
stocks OF the merchants. II. A. Hib.
I bing, an insurance man who had many
policies In property In the destroyed
town. estimates the insurance carried
! by Chisholm merchants at 100000.
Hibbing is five miles west Of CHS
holm. and afforded accommodation
to about 1000 refugees from CHS
holm last night, and II Is expected that
5000 would be given places to sleer
tonight. The Duluth Mesaba and
Northern started a car OF tents from
Duluth for Hlbbing this afternoon on
receipt OF message from Mayor Wcr-
ick. A thousand tents can be used and
by tomorrow night a white city vii
have sprung up on the environs OF
IIibblng.
] Only 1000 were given beds in pri.
Yate homes and hotels last night, AZ
most OF Chlsholm's population was too
excited to seek a place to rest. There
lare many destitute persons. Many
men who wer0 rated as well TO do are
without funds TO buy a meal today In
most instances these misfortunes are
only temporary. as many will soon re-
ceive their Insurance money. How
ever. Some merchants lost everything
that they had except the clothes or
their backs. and there Will be mucf
suffering and financial embarrass
ment.