The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-22
SEA Of FLAMES
GAINING HEADWAY


and large number of mining camps
have been wiped out.
In Montana the destruction has been
even greater. The town of Taft. a
thriving new town. Beinap, White Pine.
cording TO reports. Haughan Is be-
iieved 10 have been burned. DeBor-
gia, ST. Regis, Thompson Falls and
Henderson are threatened and the
Camas valley has been swept almost
clean of habitation
Towns Wiped Out.
been wiped out. Newport is burning
the flames were entering Niehart at
last reports. and Anatone. Galiatin
county is seriously threatened.
Everywhere in the stricken States
the flames have gained foothold I'm
the government forest reserves and
hundreds of rangers, assisted by Fed
erai troops. appear powerless 10 check
them. In the stricken districts. espe-
ciaily around Wallace. reports show
that hundreds of families whose homes
were destroyed have fed to the open
country, where they are sheiteriess and
without food or means of getting any.
The condition Of these people 10 pitt
able. Arrangements are being made
to-day in Montana and Idaho to hurry
supply trains to these people with sup
plies. but the railroad lines are so
badly crippled by the fires that in
many places Ii viii be impossible TO
afford relief,
So desperate has the situation be
come In the two States most affected
that Governor Norris. of Montana. and
Governor Brady. OF Idaho. are plan
ming to unite In a petition 10 President
Taft demanding further Federal aid.
The United States troops in the two
States and the Northwest are not near
Is adequate, II 10 said. to cope with
the flames. and the president will prob
ably be asked TO hurry soldiers from
more distant points to the scene to
fight menace that has already become
the greatest I'm the history of the
American Northwest
Governor Brady and Governor Nor
ris have both dropped all other duties
and are personally supervising their
states measures for relief.
Completely Surrounded.
Later reports indicate that, IL any
thing, the situation 10 more serious
throughout the stricken States than
Yesterday. A little more than half of
Wallace was destroyed. according to
the latest messages. and the male
residents Of the city are making des-
perate night against the flames In the
other half. II was estimated by news
paper men to-day that not more than
one-third of the city would be saved
The most alarming development OF
the day, however, WAS in the ST. Crois
district, near the Idaho Montana line.
Two hundred forest rangers were
completely surrounded by fire there.
according to last reports with little
hope OF escape. Their water supply
was said to be cut of. preventing
them from making an adequate fight
against the flames. In spite of these
alarming dispatches. however. ii is be-
ffeveu by many here they are exag-
gerated, and that some, at least. of the
exposed rangers win escape.
The plight OF the rangers was re-
ported by one OF their number yes
terday. The fire approached their
camp so rapidly that the chief of the
rangers ordered his men to ride to a
nearby camp and hurry rescuers, The
ranger rode the horse until Ii dropped
dead and then staggered into the
nearest camp with the news A rescue
party Ii reported to have found eigh-
teen OF the rangers standing tn the
ocd OF small creek, but at last re-
ports had not located the Others.
L.
Ian, Elk City and Occur D'Alene City.
Idaho. are progressing to-day, but the
hShters are discouraged, and have not
In preventing tho fires from
Not Enough Men.
There are not one-third enough avail
able men to tight the Area. and unless
hrs fighters or more soldiers are inn
ported from more distant points Il il
feared the threatened towns will have
70 De left to their fate. and the hope
OF settlers will have to be pinned on
the prospect OF rain. Even a rain
fali unless II IL unprecedentedly heavy
VIII hardly check the flames. Ii is
feared, because of Roadway they have
already gained
Throughout Montana the situation
. still more critical, The entire west
ern part OF that State is enveioped In
Z pail OF dense smoke, and the in
hahitants are panic strtcken. Taft
haa been abandoned to its fate. and |
% last reports not enough OF the town
was left standing to show that il had /
once been promising settlement. De
5orgiA and ~. Regis are now In great /!
danger, with little prospect OF saving |
[nem Several persons are reported |
missing from both of these towns, and /
rom Tart. and their fate will prob
ably not be known until the fires
zbate.
From the Idaho line more than ATTY |
miles eastward the country Is one ser I
u IRE, and in the path Of the flames |
are Thompson Falls. Heron, White /
Pins and Beiknap.
Much railroad property has been |
destroyed. and all railroads -throurh I
ne hre some have been badly crippled. |