Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-08-06

| The Canadian Pacific railway Is 40
ing all possible to relieve the sltua-
ton, pressing every available engine
and car into service for relief OF reiu-
gees-and doing 1t gratis Relief WORK
here has been unique in the annals OIL
stricken cities.
Relief for Sufferers.
Trains bringing in supplies nave
dumped their goods on the ground ana
they have been apportioned without
confusion, the weak and helpless re-
ceiving their share as well as the
strong.
e3orts sent out from Calgary ana
widely circulated. to the effect that
the death list will reach between soo
and goo and the injured to some tnou-
sands, is most emphatically denied
from all points in the stricken terri-
tory. The consensus Of opinion Is
that the dead will not number more
than a hundred when full details are
known.
Michel in Danger.
The situation at Michel Is critical.
Nume rous fires that started IN tue
town yesterday afternoon were put
out by heroic exertions. Fires are
raging on all sides, and it only re-
mains for high winds to arise to con-
tinue the destruction.
Hopes are very faint for the safety
OF the place, for should the fire jump
across the river 1t will be impossible
to save the town. Not alone the town
but the coal company's buildings and
the entire old town will be doomed
From 5000 to 1000 men, women and
children, in full fight from the flame
swept Crows Nest territory, are camp
ed In Cranbrook and the surrounding
bills. The property loss is now placed
at 3S,O0O.0
Caring for Refugees.
Rossland is taking 500 Of the over
plus OF the hands Of Cranbrook and
Nelson. And from Vancouver yester-
day afternoon . carload Of clothing
and provisions started for the upper
country. The relief fund is climbing
well into the thousands.
OF Hosmer 1t Is known that most OF
the residences OF the new town were
swept away yesterday afternoon. The
many buildings and the machine shops
erected by the Canadian Pacific rail-
road for the great colliery are still in
tact.
Late last night the fire was within a
few miles Of Frank, Alberta, and the
inhabitants Of that town we're ready
for fight. The only favorable sign
was a drop in the velocity of the wind,
which was blowing about Ave miles
an hour.
Cause Of the Fire.
The cause of the fire has been
traced to the burning of "slashings"
in the camp Of the Cedar Valley Lum-
Der company, near Cranbrook. A
great pile of light branches had been
set on fire and the wind, suddenly ris-
ing, carried the flames into the forest.
The lumbermen saw the danger and
made efforts to beat out the fire. Two
Of the men fell, overcome from
smoke, and were lost, and all the rest
were beaten back, while the fire began
its march on Fernie and in the direc-
ton OF Frank.
Wave Of Fire Rolls On.
Amid the smoking embers of their
homes and Offices, with the great fire
still roaring in the distance, the men
of Fernie are cleaning away the ruins,
tents, checking up the miss
ing and have commenced to build q
new and better town. In the mean
time the great wave of fire is still
rolling eastward through the forest,
the line Of the Canadian Pa
cific railroad In some places it's path
Is but mile wide: in others it is
three miles. Nothing can stop it, APP
till rain falls, and that may
be days or weeks.
Spokane Sends Relief.
Spokane, Wash, Aug Is. - Relief
from Spokane was the first to reach
the fire region Of Fernie. Over 1000
are being cared for at Cranbrook, and
the first car sent out by Spokane citi-
zens arrived there yesterday morning.
special car loaded with tents, cloth
Ing. 5000 loaves OF bread, $50 gallons
Of milk and other foodstuffs left yes
terday afternoon.