The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-24
WESTERN FIRES
ARE UNCHECKED
Nearly Thousand Men Are
Missing and Grave Fears
Are Entertained
PRESIDENT TO SEND
REGULAR SOLDIERS
Loss to Timber Estimated at S10,-
900, 000-Known Death Roll
Has Reached Seventy
Five.

SPOKANE, WASH. August "a
The end OF the northwestern forest
fire horrors is not in sight despite the
improved condition.. according 10 re-
ports from all parts of the nre zone
The apprehension expressed by
Supervisor Wiegel at Ellenburg over
the tate of 900 rangers of his FIRE
lighting force. was increased to-day
when a report came from Thompson
Falls, Mont, that 500 forest rangers
lighting the flames in that vicinity
have not been accounted for.
The alarm was increased when Ii.
F. kottkey. a ranger in charge of the
500 men reported missing by Wiegel
yesterday staggered into Missouia last
night with few men and reported
that he did not know what had be-
come of the rest. When last he saw
any of them. said Kottkcy, they were
out In the burning district near Avery
seeking a means OF escape. Several
large parties of rescuers have gone
out from Missoula and Spokane 10
search for the missing men ----
Despite the apprehension of the
forestry officials at Thompson Falls
over the fate of the 500 missing
rangers. the officials refuse TO believe
that the men could have persisted
Dispatches Hopeful.
Dispatches from Thompson Falls
to-day expressed hope that they had
merely lost their way and would soon
reappear in some of the safer towns
in the fire zone.
News of the disappearance of the
men was brought here by Forester
Barney, who reported that the 600
men four days ago were sent TO the
cabinet reserve to night the flames,
Barney says that Forest Supervisor
Bushnell at Thompson has had no
word from the 500 men since they left.
He expressed the belief that it would
have been almost impossible for them
to obtain food In the cabinet reserve.
and said he feared they had been
cut of from relief.
Aside from the many reported dis
assare to forest rangers, the forestry
officials both here and at Missoula de-
clared that a conservative estimate.
a bout rs men, women and children
have persisted. and that the loss 10
timber alone will not be less than
SIC. 600, 600.
They could not estimate the dam
age 10 other property.
Send Regulars.
The calling out OF the entire state
militia of Idaho and part of the militia
Of Oregon and Montana Is believed to
mean long st~p In the right direction
President Taft has telegraphed the
executives Of these three States com
mnding their action and has promised
TO rush all available United states
troops to the fire section but they must
not be called on IN do police duty.
The fire near Thompson Falls is nov
the most serious in Montana.
Forester Barney reported at Mis-
souia that when he left Thompson
YESTERDAY morning Avail or fame:
several hundred feet high was sweep
ing toward Thompson from the west
The 700 inhabitants of the village
were packed and ready to fee. nui
Barnew feared that not only Thomp'
son but several iearby towns. includ.
ing Plains and Paradise would be con
sumed
In the Bear Tooth forest. the con.
ditions are most serious and the Gal
latin county fires along the edge ol
Yellowstone Park are as bad as ever
Reports from severa, other Montans
points early to-day are that light rain,
have begun to fall and that II Ia be
lieved the worst Is over In those sec
tons.