The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-07

Cranbrook, B. O., Aug. 5.-The
most destructive conflagration in
the history of Canada is sweeping
the Elk river valley, leaving in
its path death, dissolution and suf-
fering. Already more than 100
lives have been lost, hundreds of
persons have been injured and
thousands, homeless and destitute,
have been forced to flee for their
lives before the r%elentlessly on
rushing fire.
Property valued at more than
$4,000 600 has been destroyed and
still the flames are sweeping on
ward, reaching out on either side
in an overwhelming line.
The long list of fatalities is in
creasing steadily. Reports. of
death, despair and suffering are
coming in from every quarter.
Food Is Scarce.
Few Of those who escaped with
their lives saved any Of their be-
longings. The store of food in the
towns which thus far have escaped
destruction must be conserved
carefully to feed the hungry.
Fernie, on Saturday a prosper
Gus community of $500 inhabi-
tants, today is deserted and is a
heap Of ruins. Coal Creek, which
had q population of 1900. is
marked only by smouldering en-
bers in a blackened, smoking
waste more than 40 miles in area,
while half a dozen small towns
have been erased as completely as
though they never existed.
The railroad is the only means
of communication left to the
stricken country, which now is Sc
riously threatened. Many bridges
already are burned down and the
movement of trains, by which the
fire fighters, refugees and provi-
sions are transported from one
point to another, is being carried
on with great difficulty.
Ten cottages and two local offices of
the Western Canada Grocery and Coal
that remains OF Fernie. Within Is
minute of the time the fire broke into
the city the place was a mass of
swirling flames. Several people lost
their lives in trying to escape over
Refuge in Water.
The fire spread with such rapidity
that hardly anything was saved. Num-
bers Of people fled to the river banks
and sought refuge by wading in the
water. Saturday night was a frightful
one. the excitement Of many heart
spent in getting man, ome and
children on trains and starting them
for Cranbrook. During the night the
wind vent down and Sunday morning
many men and their stouthearted
they had flown. to view the smoking
remains of their city.
narrowing Tales.
Many narrowing tales were told. One
woman had just emerged from her
home, which was on fire, when h
dropped lead Of heart disease. The
and then ran for their lives.
Raging for . Month.
For the past month forest fires have
been raging in the mountains of the
Elk river valley country. but they have
not been considered serious. Saturday
morning q heavy wind sprang up from
the crest Of the mountain to the west
Of Fernie. The flames ran down the
west side. and early in the afternoon
appeared over the mountain side, and
before a fire guard could be organized
entered the town. Within an hour the
town was doomed and the Inhabitants
sought safety in fight, leaving their all
At present 5000 people are camped in
h open. their only protection being
shelters built Of brush or blankets,
while u constant shower Of sparks from
the burning area keeps falling through
the pail of smoke. For a time COM
munication with towns to the east was
kept open. but with the burning of the
bridge across the Elk river IT, was
closed. Scattered through the valley
are many small prairie fires, and all
Of these nave their groups Of refugees.
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