The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-08-22
FORESTS SWEPT
WITH FIRE IN
MONTANA
MissOula, Montana, Has 1000
Refugees.
BURNED AREA MILES SQUARE
Towns Destroyed, Thirteen Lives
Lost in Fire at Wallace,
BURNED AREA MILES SQUARE

Missoula, Mont, Aug. 22.-Forest
fires in western Montana are merci-
lessly and relentlessly sweeping over
a vast area, driving hundreds of fu-
gltives before them, destroying small
settlements and wiping out of exis-
tence millions of dollars worth of pro-
perty. The situation last night was
more serious than at early morning,
except as to Wallace, Idaho, where II
Is believed that nearly half of the
city will be saved. Communication
with Wallace TO the west was possible
at intervals Sunday 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 hard fight is being
made and with an improvement in
the water supply there is more
chance that the flames may be driven
back. For a few minutes Sunday az
ternoon the Daily Missoulian's report
er of Missoula, Mont, at Wallace had
wire. He summarized the situation
as follows: Thirteen lives have
been lost; property loss Sl.000,000;
fire still threatening" Elsewhere in
the fire zone the situation went from
bad to worse yesterday. The most
serious incident was reported late yes
terday from st. Joe county, where 1870
men engaged in the forestry service
are missing and 1t is feared they have
burned to death.
When the fire approached the camp
where there were 200, two of the
fighters took horse and riding the
animal to death reached another
camp and organized a rescue party,
which penetrated the fire at Bird
Creek. Eighteen of the men were
found In the water where they had
gone for safety, and they were un,
harmed. OF the remaining $50 nc
word has been received. The fores
try has organized a relief train well
equipped with pack animals carrying
provisions and hospital supplies and
Will endeavor to get through the fire
About a thousand refugees were
brought into Missoula yesterday
There is much distress among them
Their wants are supplied by Missouli
people and they have been given TEN
porary homes. The first OF the train,
came in over the Northern Pacificl
Occur D'Alene branch and brough
the patients at Wallace and as man,
refugees as could find place on tn,
small train. There were $50 on thii
train and a second train at nooI
brought as many more. These peopl
came from the small towns along III,
line between Missoula and Wallace
Many OF them had been reused iron
their sleep by the people on the train
whose summons had been the first in
timation that the fire was near; Their
had been no sign OF II when the pee
pie went to bed Saturday night.
In most instances these people es
capped only scantily clad. woman
who had fed from her house at mid
night gave birth to child In a DO
car just after the arrival OF the frs
train at Missoula. Local hospital
are caring for the sick. Missoul
homes have been opened freely an
the homeless are comfortable for IN
present Another train with 500 pei
sons on board Is expected over IN
| Chicago, Milwaukee and Puget Scum
railway.
/ A dense pail OF smoke hangs a
over eastern Montana. In Missoul
Il was as dark as midnight at 5 O
clock, the smoke being given a luri
hue which had all the semblance {
the glow OF FIRE but which was pro-
ably due TO the sun. The town
TAFT, near the Idaho line was destro,
ed by FIRE before daylight yesterda
morning. Saltez, Just below Taft ha
been abandoned by It's lnhabitant
and Is known TO be surrounded b
fire. Deborgia is threatened and on
man is missing. AZ ST. Regis the III
has crossed the river and threaten
outlying buildings though no feai
are entertained for the town.
Haughan Is reported TO be deserte
The last word from there was thu
the fire was dangerously near and u
telephone operator was preparing
Zee. The area covered Is roughly G
timated at 100 miles square, most
II In the mountains and sparsely SC
tied. Il IL difficult 10 obtain inform
ton from any Of the points and lmpo
sible TO reach some OF the isolat,
places at all. There Is n probabIlI
mat there has been serious loss
lie for there are camping parties m
| lumbermen all through the mountain