Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-08-06
AIDFORSUFFERERS
SUPPLIES OF ALL KINDS BEING
RUsHEp TO cRANBRccK,
E BRlTIsH ccLUMsIA.
Loss Will Be slO,OOO,OOO
The Death List Total Ia the Dlsas.
trous Canadian Bush Fires VIII
@ Probably Never be
M Known.

i L. u y # ~ = q 4
Winnipeg, Man, Aug. 4.--The de-
struction Of life and property In the
fire which has ragged In east Kootenay
since Saturday still continues. Mon
day night at Michel the situation was
critical. The number Of dead Is now
estimated at LIS. From 5000 to 1000
men, women and children in flight
from the flames swept region Of
Crows Nest territory, are camped In
Cranbrook and on the surrounding
hills. Relief Of food and clothing 70
anxiously awaited.
Late Monday night fires were rag
ing on all sides at Michel and II high
winds arise the destruction will
spread. Should the fire cross the
river and enter the town. as now
seems likely, the entire place will be
doomed.
In Fernle the loss Of life was great
est In the west and where the flames
spread so rapidly it was impossible
for the inhabitants to outrun the ap-
preaching heat. Searching parties
have been sent out for those who
were overcome. Bodies are being
brought in every hour,
Spokane, Wash, Aug. 4.--Relief
from Spokane was the flrst to reach
the fire region OF Fernie. Over 1000
are being cared for 1t Cranbrook and
the flrst car sent out BY Spokane citi-
gems arrived there Monday morning.
A special car loaded with tents,
clothing, 5000 loaves Of bread, l5O
gallons Of milk and other foodstuffs
left Monday afternoon.
At mass meeting Of citizens Mon
day over $4,000 was subscribed in
half an hour and q relief committee
appointed to raise more funds and
start regular shipments Of food to the
Ore swept district
For the present the supplies win be
sent to Cranbrook for distribution.
At that place are gathered women and
children who will have to DO cared
for during the next ten days. Other
cities Of the northwest are sending
aid and the famine situation IL rapid
ly being relieved. Nearly all Of the
refugees are reported to be destitute,
being barely able to save the clothes
on their backs. That the Slavs at
Fernie are making trouble ID feared.
The last request from Fernie to Gran
brook was for all the guns and leg |
irons that could be sent immediately. |
Provincial oficials have taken charge
and q special train left Cranbrook
Monday afternoon with all the guns
that could be secured In that city.
Vancouver, B. c., Aug. 4.--Thls city
awoke to full sense Of the complete
ness Of the destruction around Fernie
According to competent
authority the loss will exceed 10000
300 and the death list total will never
be known. 1t Is now believed that at
least 200 have persisted.
Vancouver wired $1,000 for relief
Sunday and a trainload Of supplies
went out Monday. Winnipeg has dis
patched a special train with nurses,
doctors. hospital stores and proyis-
ons.
Loggers to the number Of 80 In
he camps Of the Elk Lumber com
,any have perished in the flames and
several settlers with their families
who lived on the line Of the railroad
between Fernie and Michel have dis
appeared. The death total will prob
IDLY grow larger and a special dis
,atch from Winnipeg declares that 1t
will reach 400. f.
When the flames were consuming
Nernie all the prisoners with the ex-
,eptIon Of FIVE black hand suspects
we're released. Later they were re-
,aptured and sent to Nelson.
Crowds Of refugees have also ar
tved at Nelson, the overflow from
,ranbrook. These are being cared
or as much as possible but their con-
IItion Is pitlable. In their flight they
Irought nothing away but the clothes
hey had on. I,
A telegram from Editor Simpson Of
. Cranbrook Herald, which sums up
h aItuation there as follows.