Evening journal., 1908-10-16
MICHIGAN
PREY OF THE
FOREST FIRES
Train With Refugees Takes
Fire and Fourteen Women
and Children Perish
MANY TOWNS ARE IN
PERIL OF THE FLAMES

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
DETROIT Mich. Oct. 16-Alpena dis
patches say that Mllersh lrg, a town Of
$50 population has been completely de-
stroyed by re and the whereabouts OF the
Inhabitants are unknown. Two relief
trains from Alpena were forced 10 turn
back by the flames. The whole Of North
eastern Michigan is burning in spots and
grave fears are felt for several thousand
people. All hope for the peopel Of Metz
have been given up here. Faifoai officials
in Detroit have taken hold Of the situa-
tion and are ondeavoring 20 devise means
for getting relief into the burning Sec
tions.
After the fires had almost encircled tho
town yesterday. and all attempts AT saw
ing it had failed. the inhabitants bearded
Detroit and Alackinac train to reach
Mflersburg, twenty miles away Word
was received at Millersburg that the train
ran of the track three miles out OF Metz
and further attempts at communication
have not been successful. Attempts have
been made TO reach Metz from Mllers-
burg, but the whole country is aire and
the searching party was compelled to turn
back.
The fires arc now raging I'm four counties
and millions of dollars worth OF property
is being destroyed.
Women and Children Burned.
Already fourteen women and children
are known 10 have been burned to death
nthe relief train out OF Metz.
Among the dead on the eMtz train were
John I5invile engineer; Arthur Leem.
fireman; William Lee, Brakeman. all OF
Alpens, who stuck by the train and la
bored to get it on teh track. Women and
children were burned to death in a box
car. Cofhns have been sent from Alpena
on relief trains with surgeons The fire
has now passed over the Minershurg.
Metz district. The Total list OF dead s.
beyond conjecture one refugee who go
through on the relief train from Alpena
says only a few escaped from Metz Wire
are down and there will be little definite
Information before night. The town OF
Bolton was completely destroyed and
Pulaski is in grave danger.
A shift OF wind to the northeast has
saved Alpena from the fires.
The flames are now under control, but
several buildings were burned. Men whs
worked all night fighting the flames
collapsed this morning when the change IN
wind came, and slept in the streets, on
sidewalks and in vacant lots.
AlPena EnVeloped in Flames.
DETROIT. Mich.. oct. 16.-The forest
fires have reached Alpena. city OF 20,OoC
on the shore of Lake Huron. and are in
side the city limits. All business has
been suspended and the entire population
has turned out TO fight the flames which
are sweeping in from the northwest
Arrangements have been made for re-
m owing the people by rail and water j.;
the fire gets hey ond control
Cheboygan. on the straits of Machinac,
5000 inhabitants. is also seriously threat
ened. Meagre reports are drifting in from
the burning districts, but at least -four
small towns with a total population OF
1900 have been totally destroyed
No trace Of the derailed train out OF
Metz has been secured and it appears GER
tain that It has been destroyed, with tive
hundred people. Frantic Efforts are being
made at Alpena to reach Mlllersburg
which is still burning.
No Rain TO Relieve Situation.
sAULT STE MARIE. Mich. oct. 1s.-
Forest fires are again raging around this
city and early this morning appeared a
the city limits.
The fires are worse than those Of several
weeks ago and the town OF Brimley &.
being wiped out and several others are in
danger. There is no sign of rain to re
lieve the situation. The smoke over the
ST. Mary's river is so thick that naviga
ton has been abandoned.