The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-08-25
Not So Many Deaths in Burn
Ing Forests Of Northwest
AS HAS BEEN BELIEVED
Many Rangers Have Fscaped-The Sit,
uation, However, Still Desperate
and Rain Offers the Only
Hope.


no, Montana and Washington increases
the seriousness Of the situation so far
as the destruction Of timber is con-
cerned, but reduces the estimate Of loss
Of life. Only 81 persons are known
70 have persisted.
The hundreds Of national forest rang.
ers who Tuesday were reported missing
and probably dead have not all Of them
turned up safe, but many have been
in the fire swept country, which con.
tanned many lakes and streams Of water,
and il they have taken refuge in these
the skillful rangers probably have saved
their lives.
A government crew working on the
Big Fork Of the Occur D'Alene has been
lost, it Is stated, and some government
rangers in Montana are still in the
woods.
Everywhere, except near the towns,
the fires are stiil spreading. Many com
panies of United States and state troops
are on the way TO the scene. Best hope
Of the threatened forests, however Is
in the sky.
Rain and snow have fallen in Mon
tana and light rains in Idaho, and the
season Of the fall rains is near at
hand Stories Of the binding and
burning Of fire fighters have made il
difficult to get men 70 so into the blaz.
ing woods.
Reports from the forest fires on the
main fork in the Elk City region state
that the wind blew a gale al day Tues.
day, and the gain obtained in the lull
in the tempest Monday night has been
lost. Major Fem, who is in command
Of 500 men, considers the situation des.
perate aud although the almost exhaust
ed fire fighters are working with re-
newed energy he has little hope Of max.
ing any neadway. However, the wind
has fallen and the flames are adyane.
ing less rapidly.
United fires at Eldorado and Ola
Mans creek have an unbroken front Of
70 miles, extending from the selway to
the Locksaw, and cutting OF The only
trails over which reinforeements and
supplies can be sent to the foresters.
One Of the most thrilling experiences
thus far told WAS that Of Mr. and Mrs.
Patterson Of Wallace, Idaho, who, with
a party of five men, arrived at Iron
Mountain, Mont, Tuesday When the
party started out, it included Ralph
a cripple, but he was unable |
to keep up, and was left behind. It is
feared that he persisted
When the fire overlook the party. it |
was one days trip from railway |
After having travelled snort distance
on their return, their advance was cut
DiF and they were compelled TO go back
over the summit Of the mountain, with
fire surrounding them. After the first /
lays travel, weary and discouraged and I
confused by the smoke, it remained I
for Mrs. Patterson to lead the party
put
With firm word Of command she
ed for two days. On the second after.
loon, the members Of the party were
forced to run for their lives.
Jack Cassidy, Joe Miller Ind Joe KEEL.
ey, three fire fighters, who had been
nut with ranger R. 9. W. Friday, came
n from Elk meadows, near Silver lake,
Tuesday night. The party led by Fri
lay had been given up as lost.
Nearly 100 men who were sent to the
assistance Of the rangers in that local
ty a week ago have been unable to get
mere. In the Elk City district, the stu.
Ltion is steadily growing worse, The
own Is considered safe, but the sur
Nbu1iuS SoAhtly VIII w Nrfdathttu.
rhe American river district is ablaze
rom mouth to source, and fifteen miles
vest flames are raging on both side Of
little and Big Elk creeks
Little Campbell gulch is ablaze for 4
niles. A number Of quartz mills have
'een destroyed and the fires on Buffalo
reek, which were supposed to be out,
re active again. The smoke in Elk City {
! so dense that there is little differ
nee between midnight and noon. and
amps are kept burning continuously in
he stores and dwellings.
Refugees from the fire swept district
/ western Montana, according to a dis,
atch from Missoula, are beginning to
rive at various points, gradually less.
ming the number Of persons reported
iissing.
All Of the men Of the list of govern.
tent foresters employed in Idaho have
sported to supervisors or are known
Q be safe, Wallace, Idaho, reported