Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-08-26
CBy Associated Prena.)

~-~~~~>~~~-~~~>~
CBy Associated Preas.)
SPOKANE. Wash. Aug. 22.-Hourly
reports from fires in the forests Of
northern Idaho and western Montana
are increasing the toll Of dead. The lat
est figures from wallace. are that 40
fighters probably have persisted. In the
hills near sand Point. Idaho, Forester
Van Dyeke and a crew OF SIS enlisted
in Spokane. are reported surrounded by
flames. A woman and her daughter
persisted at Cabinet. Idaho. Five are
known to have died at Newport, Wash.
In an attempt TO reach the town All
along the Great Northern and Northern
Pacific tracks between Spokane zIIo
Helena. numberless fires are known to
be raging fiercely but definite reports
cannot be secured as the telegraph and
telephone wires are all down.
Before COMMUNICATION with Libby,
Mont, ended, il was learned that every
male resident Of the town was working
with 400 paid fire fighters TO divert
Flower Creek TO the south side OF the
village as q protection against the
flames driving up from that direction.
In the Clear Water Forest Reserve
hills. east OF Lewiston, Idaho, new fires
create no excitement as the settlers
the district and Forest Supervisor Fem
has refused to send any more fire fight
ers in unless he can get pack trains 10
aid in getting supplies 10 them. A train
Of Is horses was yesterday AFTERNOON
turned back IN an attempt to reach a
force OF SIS men near Peck, which Is
known 10 have but two days rations-
Refugees from burned districts pour
I'd into Spokane last night Seven hum
~wnGzaH axe Occur
d'AIene by boat and came TO Spokane oy
electric line
PRAYERS FOR RAIN.
MTssOUI.A. Mont, Aug. 2.-From ev-
cry corner OF western Montana and Idaho
this morning there were prayers that the
weather bureau has forecasted accurately
m predicting showers for today. Moth
ing but rain can save the situation. Inc
hundreds OF weary men who for days
have battled with the flames in the for
ests are staggering 10 safety with blood
shot eyes and aching limbs. immersing
themselves in streams or burying their
faces I'm mud for protection from the In
tense heat
The only Improvement in the situation
IN At Wallace. where the remnant OF the
town that is left seems to be safe from
FIRE and at Mullan. where the town.
threatened all day yesterday, is believed
10 De SANS- II u EENN4 NGA NAA&N ~1NANN~s 50
western Montana. is also out of danger.
but this may prove 8 bit OF over-confi-
dence.
The towns OF Taft. Deborgia, Hender-
son and the old part Of St Regis are in
ashes. The old placer town of Murray
Idaho, is In danger. The flames have the
upper hand Of the situation In a score Of
places. Rain Is the only salvation OF hun
dreds Of miles OF timber and of many
kzszw N-rrpr fgH
the flames 20 the limit OF human endur-
ance and are Withdrawing from the con-
test In many places.
Especially Is the situation serious IN
the densely timbered country along the
lines OF the Chicago, Milwaukee and St
Paurs western extension. Here the rail-
way has suffered tremendous loss from
IRE In the very region where snow slides
wrought havoc all last winter. Bridges
have been burned and little stations
wiped out Wherever possible the rail-
way company has brought the men to
safety In special trains. This morning
there are two rescue trans on the St.
Paul road speeding toward Missoula.
with about so people ABOARD There is
another on the Northern Pacifc-coeur
d'AIene branch. with 80 womsu and chill
drsn taken from the burned town of st.
Regis. There will be a second Northern
EAGfuG IdAn HOOns
Unless there are more men in isolated
positions in the woods than is believed
to be the case. the loss OF life in this
section will not be great Ire men in
the forest service gangs are in charge OF
experienced woodsmen and they know
how 10 take care OF themselves.
MAY BE MANY DEATHS.
In Wallace. however. the death list may
grow. The fires swept that town with
"a mwxrKNN eNAw IL
there will be more bones found I'm the
ruins as the search progresses.
The most disastrous fires in this dis
atTfct today are those In Sanders county.
between Thompson and the Idaho line
These fires extend along an unbrokeu
line for more than 50 miles and are in
dense timber. There are several towns
in this district. built In the very midst
OF the timber.
J. NJ. Boyd. former Northern Pacific
agent at wallace. met death in a vain
endeavor TO save his parrot His son,
Fire Captain Boyd. had forced the men,
bers OF the family TO flee from their
home on the bill side. when the flames
drew near. The father went back to
get the parrot. and was not missed for Is
minutes. When a search was made he
was found lying face downward In the
road. 100 yards from the house.
In the ruins or one mouse two skulls.
presumably Of men. were found. Six
men are known TO have died in an at
tempt TO reach Wallace from Big Creek,
St Joe county. Some assert that six
more are lost.
Ranger Pulaski and Il men were forced
70 leave Big Greek and attempted 10
cover the ten miles 10 Wallace. Three
miles from town they were forced by a
wall OF fire to crawl into mine tunnels
nearby and remain ten hours. Two men
reached here at o'clock yesterday and
Ave the alarm and q party OF Tescuers
kfth q physician FASTENED to the War
Eagle mine. where the men were. One
OF the Al was found burned to a crisp
on the trail Five OF those In the tun-
mel were suffocated and dead and a
dozen others were resuscitated only az
ter an hours work.
Three men are known to be dead on
============-=-=-