Los Angeles herald., 1908-09-12
HUNDREDS
AT MERCY
OF FIRES
TOWNS HEMMEDN
BY FLAMES
PORT ARTHUR AND GRAND
MARAIS IN DANGER
WITHOUT RAIN ALL LAKE SHORE
WILL BE DEVASTATED
Over Two Thousand More Left Homes
less esterday--Governo john
son Appealed to for Aid.
Condition Horrible
PORT ARTHUR AND GRAND
MARAlS IN DANGER
WITHOUT RAIN ALL LAKE SHORE
WILL BE DEVASTATED

Rs Associated Press.
nULUTH, Mimi, Sept. IL
Unless a heavy rain falls
~ within the next forty-eight
hours the total destruction of ev-
cry town on the north shore of
Lake Superior, in Cook county, is
almost certain.
No rain has fallen in this dis
trict since July 10, and everything
in the woods is as dry as parch-
ment.
This evening the walls of fire
with a heavy wind behind them
are eating their way toward sew
eral towns.
Wild : eyed and shaking with
fear, the inhabitants are gathered
along the shore prepared to take
to the lake in small craft should
the worst come.
Vast Area Ablaze
Within less than two miles of Grand
Marais there is in. flames vast tract
of spruce and brush over three miles in
| length.
strong land breeze from the north
| west is at present shooting the fire
along the outskirts of the town, CIV
| ing the village a lease of life.
Conditions at Pigeon River Indian
reservation, Big Bay. Chicago Bay.
Cascade, Cotton and Nutson are SINH
lar to those existing at Grand Marais.
The town of Grand Marais is now
| on fire. Latest reports say the fire has
overwhelmed the fighters and the out
| skirts of the town are burning.
The town appears to be doomed and na
| it Is feared that before morning looo
people will be homeless.
Beaver Bay, on the north shore or
Lake Superior, eighty miles northeast
of Duluth, is reported to be burning.
The citizens have appealed TO Governor
johnson for aid.
Governor Johnson is doing every
thing in his power to relieve the situa-
ton. He has appointed special COM
mission composed of leading men or
the various cities of Minnesota, urging
them to do all possible to relieve the
terrible suffering, and is now consider
ing the advisability of organizing a. CO.
operative fire brigade composed of set
tiers and of citizens of the various
towns, to act under direction of Ma
tional Guard officers, to wage a sys-
tematic fight against the fires.
Governor johnson tonight received
message from Mayor r. d. Haven OF
Duluth to the effect that Beaver pay
is in imminent danger of being de-
stroyed by fire. and asking for help TO
be sent to the settlement at once.
Governor Johnson sent a message to
the captain of the steamer America
at Port Arthur asking him to go at
once to the threatened town.
The Booth ship America has gone 10
the rescue. Fires rage all over Lake
and Cook counties.
Hundreds of homesteads have been
burned and 1000 people were left home-
less today.
Grand Marais, 100 miles from Duluth
on the north shore, is surrounded by
fires, and the training ship Gopher is
taking the citizens aboard.
Port Arthur Hemmed In
PORT ARTHUR, Ont, Sept. IL
Bush fires surround Port Arthur and
Fort William, and all day yesterday
gremen and citizens fought the flames.
The whole country east and west Is
ablaze and the fire is gaining headway.
On Thunder Cap the whole section is
lighted up with flames from forest
fires.
East of here, along the Canadian Pa
cific railroad, it is reported the worst
forest fires in the history of the coun-
try are now raging and that thousands
of dollars worth of timber Is ablaze.
Villages Threatened
Along the Duluth extension several
villages are threatened. According to a
report received, the fire is only short
distance from the village of Hymers.
From the international boundary to
Hymers, distance of thirty miles, the
whole country is ablaze.
Forest fires destroyed the camp own
ed by George Mooring on Pigeon river
Yesterday, with the complete outfit.
One camp owned by the Pigeon River
Lumber company and located on Ar
row river was today totally destroyed.
while another owned by the same COM
pany was partially destroyed.
The fire on Thunder Cap is still burn
ing and Silver Islet buildings are be-
lieved to be in great danger. The city
is shrouded in smoke.