The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-22

Missoula. Mont, August 2i.-Mercilessly
and relentlessly the forest fires In west
ern Montana and Idaho are sweeping over
a vast area. driving hundreds of fugitives
before them, destroying small settle
| ments and wiping out of existence mil
| lions Of dollars worth of property.
The situation tonight is more serious
than it was in the early morning. except
as to Wallace, Idaho where it is be-
| lieved that nearly half of the city will be
saved. Communication with Wallace to
| the west has been possible at intervals
today, but eastward it is entirely cut off.
| 1t is known that the entire east half of
the town above Seventh street has been
burned. West of that a hard fight is
being made and with an Improvement in
the water supply there is more chance
that the fiames may be driven back. For
a few minutes this afternoon the Daily
Missoulan's representative at Wallace
had wire. He summarized the situa-
ton follows:
! Thirteen lives lost property loss 81 000,-
600; fire still threatening.
| Elsewhere in the fire zone the situa-
| ton has gone from bad to worse today.
The most serious incident is reported
| late this afternoon from the st. Coe
| forestry service are missing and it is fear
ed they have been burned to death.
| When the fire approached the camp
where there were 200 men, two of the
| fighters took horse, and riding the ami
NAL to death. rode from the camp and
| order ed rescue party which penetrated
the fire at Bird creek
Eighteen of the men were found in the
water where they had gone for safety
,1aar
Many Fire Fighters Missing
| From the remaining 1S0 men no word
has been received. A relief train, well
equipped with pack animals, has been
ordered, carrying provisions and hospital
supplies and will endeavor to get through
the fire.
About 1000 refugees have been brought
into Missoula today. There is much dis
| tress among them, but their wants are
being supplied by Missoula people and
they have been given temporary homes.
The first OF the trains came in over the
Northern Pacific's Couer d Alene branch
and brought the patients who had been
in the Sisters hospital at Wallace and as
many refugees could find place on the
small train.
There were ESQ on this train and a
second train at noon brought many
more. The people came from the small
towns along the line between here and
Wallace. Many of them had been aroused
from their sleep by the people on the
train, whose summons had been the first
intimatior that the fire was near, as there
had been no sign of 1t when the people
went to bed Saturday night In some in
stances these people escaped only scantily
clad. A woman who had fled from her
home ~ midnight gave birth TO child
In box car just after the arrival of the
nrst train at Missoula Hospitals are
/ caring for the sick. Mssoula homes have
been opened freely and the homeless are
comfortable for the present
Another train with 800 people on board
is expected over the Chicago. Milwaukee
and Puget Sound railroad.
The town of Taft, near the Idaho line.
was entirely destroyed by fire before day.
light this morning.
People Abnndor.4 4kns
Saltez, Just below Taft. has been aban-
doned by its inhabitants. and is known
to be surrounded by fires. Deborgia is
seriously threatened and one man Is miss
ing. At st. Regis the fire has crossed
the river and threatens outlying buildings
though no fears are entertained for the
town.
Haughan is reported to be deserted
The last word from there is that the fire
is dangerously near, and the operator was
preparing to flee. The area covered Is
roughly estimated at 100 miles square,
most of II in the mountains ana sparsely
settled. 1t is difficult to obtain informa-
ton from any of the points. and II is i'm
possible to reach some OF the Isolated
places at all.
There is a probability that there has
been serious loss of life, as there are
camping parties and lumbermen all
through the mountains, and the fire may
have come upon them while they slept
last night they may have awakened
this morning to find themselves cut OF
from escape.
George Wallbillig, packer and two
companions. reached Missoula tonight
from Adair. station on the Milwaukee
road about 200 miles west of Missoula.
They left Adair yesterday morning on
horseback. One horse was ridden to death
but the men got over the range.
rhov say car of dynamite and car
Of oil at the construction camp near
Adair exploded soon after they left, the
fire spreading rapidly and WalIbillig be-
lieves the camp was destroyed There
we're o5 men there.
Thompson Falls Threatened
Butte. Mont. August IA special from
Thompson Falls, Mont, SAYS: ''The fro