The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-22

MISSOULA, Mont, Aug. 2l.-Mer-
ciIcsslY and relentlessly the forest fires
in western Montana and Idaho are
sweeping over a vast area, driving hun
dreds of fugitives before them, de-
stroying small settlements and wiplng
out of existence millions of dollars
worth of property,
The situation tonight is more serious
&&zsn it was in the early morning, ex.
rcpt as to Wallace, Idaho, where it is
believed that nearly half of the city
will be saved. Communication with
Wallace to the west has been possible
Mt intervals today but eastward 1T Is
entirely cut of, it is known that the
entire east half of the town, above Sew"
enth street, has been burned. West of
that a hard fight is being made, and
with an improvement in the water sup
ply there is more chance that the flames
may be driven back. For few min
utes this afternoon a reporter ut Wal
lace had a wire. he summarized the
situation as follows:
''Thirteeu lives lost; property loss
one million; fire still threatening
Bad to Worse.
Elsewhere in the fire zone the situa-
tion has gone from bad to worse today.
The most serious incident Is reported
late this afternoon from the ST Coe
country, where $50 men engaged In the
forestry service are missing, and II IS
feared they have been burned to death
When the fire approached the camp
where there we're 200 men, two OF the
fighters took horse and, riding the
animal to death, reached another camp
and organized 4 rescue party. which
penetrated the fire TO Bird creek. Twen-
tv of the men were found In the water
whittier they had gone for safety and
they were unframed, OF the remain
ing $50 no word has been received
relief train, well equipped with pack
animals, carrying provisions and hos
pital supplies. and will endeavor to get
through the fire.
Refugees Reach Missoula.
About a thousand refugees have beer
brought into Missoula today. There l:
much distress among them. Their wants
are being supplied by Missoula peo
rlco. and they have been given tempo
rarv homes.
The first of the trains came in over
the Northern Pacific's Occur d 'A]ent
branch. bringing the patients who haC
been in the Sisters hospital at Wal
lace and as many refugees as coul'
find place on the small train. There
were go on this train, and SECOND
train at noon brought as MANY moro
These people came from the small towns
along tho line between here and Wal
lace. Many of them had been rouscc
from their sleep by the people on TIN
train, whose summons had been the frs
intimation TINT the fire was near; ther
Ind been no sign Of it when the peopl
went to bed Saturday night. In mos
instances these folks escaped only wit
scaHt clothing. a woman who had tlct
from her home at midnight gave brit
to IA child in a box car just after tn
arrivnl of the first train in Missoula
Local hospitals are caring for the sic
and homes have been opened freely
Another train with 500 persons on boar
is expected tonight over the Milwaukee
road
Dense Pail of Smoke.
4 dense pail of smoke hangs all owe
western Montana. In Missoula it wa
rs dark as midnight nj 3 clock, tn
deusc smoke being given n lurid hui
which had all tho semblauce Of th
olow Of fire. but which WAS probabl
due 20 the sun.
The town Of Taft. near the Idah
line. was entirely destroyed before da,
light this morning. Saltcse, Just b'