Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-09
'CRISIS APPEARS PASSED
Grand Marais Cut Off by Flames and
May Be Destroyed.
GUNBOAT GOPHER TO RESCUE
Citizens of Hibbing, Bovey and
Other Towns Spend Night in
Fighting Fire.

DULUTH Mimi. September 9.-It was
q night of terror on the range and one of
deep anxiety in Duluth. But today con-
dtions appear to have changed for the
better.
All yesterday afternoon and last night
fires threatened a half dozen of the larger
towns on the range.
Hibbing fought almost persistent fires
from 3 o'clock in the afternoon until late
last night. At o'clock Duluth was asked
for assistance. A fire engine was made
ready for shipment by special train. A
telephone message later held 1t in Duluth
ready for shipment at any time and stat
ed that the crisis appeared to be past.
Hibbing Fights All Night.
More than. 1000 residents of Hibbng
fought back the flames all night long,
stamping out brush fires and wetting
down the fields about the town to keep
the fire from spreading. This morning
the reports are that the town is safe.
Similar experiences are reported from a
dozen other range towns. So far as is
known there have been no others de-
stroyed.
Bovey had as hard a fight as Hibbing.
The residents of Coleraine, two miles
away, had to go to their assistance. All
business was suspended and the schools
closed Citizens. after packing a few
valuables ready to flee at moments no.
tice. fought the fires all night.
At Aurora, Nashwauk, Buhl. Wrenshall
and several smaller towns and villages
the same story was reported.
This morning what reports have been
received from the busy fire-fghters are
more optimistic. The wind is going down
and the fires appear to be gradually burn
ing themselves out. Great vigilance is
still necessary, however.
Grand Marais in Grave Danger.
The most dramatic incidents of the en-
tire fire promise to develop around Grand
Marais. The steamer Gopher, the United
States gunboat. carrying fifty members
of the naval militia. left last night for
Grand Marais to rescue the settlers along
the north shore.
The little village is entirely shut off
from communication by ms of tele-
phone or telegraph. 1t will be twenty
four hours at least before anything is
heard from them.
The passengers on the last boat report
ed that the fires were rushing toward
the lake and gradually hemming in the
inhabitants of the little village. compris-
ing about 600 people, mostly fishermen
and Indians. There are also many set
tiers along the lake shore.
If the fires sweep right up to the lake
shore, the intense heat and the smoke
might cause the loss of many lives, al
though the people could save themselves
from actual cremation by taking refuge
on the beach.
The Gopher carried provisions and
clothing and will pick up any settlers who
are found to be homeless. The men will
help fight the fires at Grand Marais if the
village is not already destroyed.
$4,000 Fund Raised
The Duluth relief fund has now passed
the $4,000 mark and is rapidly growing
All the immediate wants of the sufferers
have been cared for.
The range railroads belonging to the
steel corporation are carrying all supplies
free of charge and running specials when
ever they are needed. The corporation
| and it's officers have also contributed near
ly $4,000 in cash toward the fund.
The range is by no means out of dan
ger as yet. AS stated above, the reports
this morning are more favorable. but a
change of the wind or an increase in Its
velocity might cause them to break forth
with renewed violence. Every moment il
is feared that a new town will be re-
ported ablaZe.