Fergus County Democrat., 1910-08-09
Rains in the Western Part of State
Check Ferocity of Forest Fires
TO Encouraging Extent.
BURNING IN SN0WlES
Much Valuable Timber Being De-
stroyed in Mountains South Of
Lewistown-Loss Very Great.

While the wind has shifted the
smoke away from Lewlstown for the
last two or three days, it is learned
here that the forest fires are still max
ing considerable headway in the
Snowy mountains and vast quantities
OF fine timber has been destroyed.
With the limited force fighting the
flames, it is difficult to do anything
with them. Only good rain can in
sure the preservation OF acres of tim
Der land in the Snowies.
Rain in Flathead Welcome.
Helena, Aug. 6.-Assurances of CO.
operation on the part OF the railroads
In fighting Montana forest fires have
been received by Governor Norris in
reply to the kilograms he sent yester-
day. The most reassuring word in
days was received today from State
Forester Junberg He wired that
good rains are now falling in the
Flathead country, the winds have died
down and the situation appears great
ty improved
Howard Elliott, president of the
Northern Pacific, replied to the gov
ernor's telegram as follows: "Our
men already have been doing all they
can to help fight the fires, but in
structlons are renewed to our super
sntendents to redouble their efforts
IN cooperating with the state and
federal officers. We, OF course. owe
duty to the public in seeing that
our maintenance is taken care OF and
can not neglect that. So far as we
can, will let all men working for us
be employed by the government to
stop the unfortunate fires"
Louis w. Hill, president Of the
Great Northern: Much appreciate
your telegram Of yesterday. We will
cooperate with the other interests in
an efideavor to preserve the property
endangered by forest fires independent
of source OF origin"
r. u. Sewell, assistant to the pres
sdent OF the Puget Sound: This
company will cooperate to the fullest
possible extent i'll suppressing the
hres. The matter has been taken up
with the general superintendent at
Seattle
c. c. Covington, justice OF the
peace at Augusta. has written to
Sheriff Higgins, one paragraph of
which reads as follows:
We have had bad forest fire here
since last Saturday. The fire is rag
ing from Dupuyer to Clemens and is
requiring strenuous work night and
day to protect the ranches along the
foot OF the mountains"
A Call for Help.
Washington, Aug 6.-Appeal for
the assistance of the army in fight
ing forest fires was received from the
Western Pine Manufacturers associa-
ton, which called attention to the
danger facing the woodlands in
Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Washington
and California, and asked that troops
be detailed at once to cooperate with
the forest service in saving the tim
ber
The most serious situation exists
an Montana and Idaho The forest
service is in close touch with district
officials in these states, where the
f1ames have swept over nearly 100000
acres, entaling a loss Of at least
$5OO,OOO, and which may amount to
millions when the damage can be
closely estimated A number OF fires
are still burning and District Forester
Greeley, at Missoula, Mont. regards
the situation as exit emely serious.
Secretary Wilson, of the depart
ment OF agriculture, who is in the
west inspecting forest reserves. has
instructed the officials to employ
energetic measures to check the
tames, even though it be necessary
to incur extra expense.
Paner nanlxine l., Tia Il Aa.k 4 !.