The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1910-08-26
AWFUL FIRES RAGE
FROM B. c. TO OREGON
Property Loss $40, 600, 600, 142
Dead, 1876 Missing.
Complete Story Of Death and Devas-
tation of Homes and Property Not
Told for Weeks, and When Told
Will Fill Many Volumes.


The most destructive forest fires, in all
probability, that ever visited the Pacific
slope have been raging since last Satur-
day, carrying death and destruction in
it's path. Northern Idaho, all parts OF
Western Montana, Southern British Co
lumbia, Eastern and Western Washing
ton, Oregon and Northern California have
been visited by the fiery tend, and the
work OF destruction goes on. The long
dry spell, making everything ready for
the least spark, famed by high winds
that seemed to gloat in the work OF de-
struction, are the conditions prevalent
in most sections Of the country devas-
tated.
While the property loss has been
enormous the worst feature has been the
loss of life. Nothing before in our his
tory has equaled it, Property loss can
be regained, but the loss Of human life
is irreparabe.
Wallace, Idaho, was nearly wiped off
the map, more than half the town being
consumed, besides several lives lost.
Property loss will reach 81 100000.
At this writing, 10 the Clearwater and
st. Joe districts, flames are raging furi
ousIy.
In forest fires 142 dead. 185 missing,
property loss $4,000, 600 is the latest
report.
Along the PaIouse River.
Potlatch, Idaho, August "a For three
days a fire has been raging across the
Palouse river from Princeton and Har-
ward. Between 200 and 800 men are
fighting the fires. The PotIntch sawmill
closed down Monday and about $50 men
left on a special train to assist the crew
already in charge of the fire. The Pot
latch Lumber Co. also sent carloads OF
barrels for hauling water and other sup
plies needed by the fire fighters The
territory that is burning is a timber
country south of Princeton and Howard,
parallel to the Palouse river, owned
partly by the Potlatch Lumber Co. and
also by the settlers. The cabins and be-
longings OF several settlers were burned.
Avery Hard Hit.
Tekoa, Wash, August "a A Milwau-
kee freight leaving Avery this morning
at IL O'Clock arrived in Tekoa at this
evening, bringing the news that 22 more
bodies had been recovered about miles
south of Avery, on the Bitter Root, this
morning.
Up to today 106 men in that district
are unaccounted for. The searching par
ties who have brought in bodies yester-
day and today found many with their
faces in the creek, while Others were lying
with their arms covering their eyes. All
unidentified bodies are being buried as
soon as they are brought in.
What Will the Future Unfold?
The complete story Of the great forest
fires Of 1910 will not be told for weeks,
and when told will fill volumes. The
prevent a recurrence of the annual Wis
itation, which must be done if We hope
to keep the rich heritage we possess IN
standing timber.
Montana Devastated by Fires.
Reports received at Helena Monday
from every district in Montana indicate
that the situation is by long odds the
worst in the history of the state. Des-
pite the large number OF troops, civilians
and railroad employees that have been
put into the field, the flames are abso-
lutte masters Of the situation, and there
is only one salvation-general rain.
Governor Norris received two calls for
troops, one from the Gallatin forest,
where five sections of state land have
been burned over, and with still more in
peril, as we'll as the Yellowstone National
Park district, and the other from Lewis
town, where it ia reported that fires have
again broken out in the Snowy Noun
tains. The governor is en- route to Libby
to secure personal knowledge OF the
Flathead and Lincoln county situation,
and in consequence has taken no action.
Couriers to Warn Settlers.
From Thompson Falls to the Idaho
line, along the Clark fork OF the Colum-
bia, nothing but flames greet the eye on
either side of the stream. Couriers have
been sent out TO warn all settlers and a
similar policy is being pursued in the
Bitter Root Valley, where a number OF
new fires have broken out.
The worst fires in the history OF the
Kootenai National Forest are reported
from Libby. These started at the head
of Libby Creek, and are moving with
unrelenting vigor. The town OF Troy
is seriously threatened. New fires are