The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-10-10
.BEM|DJ| BUSHES AID
TO HOMELESS HoRDES
Special Train of Three Cars Furnished
by M. & l. Loaded With Pro-
vision, Physicians and Help
MILITIA GOES TO ACT AS GUARDS
Ordered Out as Result of Talk With
Governor Over Long Distance
Telephone.

Although half dozen towns and
great stretches of Underwriting
woods together with humble homes
of struggling settlers and hundreds
of heads of live stock and hordes of
wild animals driven to bay, have
been consumed, the skies are still
filled with the smoke of Unsuitable
forest fires.
Apprehension concerning the loss
of life in the Baudette and Spooner
region in the northern part of Bel
trami county is hourly increased by
the reports received here which tell
of the complete destruction of these
two villages near the Canadian line
as we'll as the humiliation of Pitt, a
village of 100 inhabitants, Graceton,
twice as large. and other settlements
of that district.
1t has been impossible to confirm
the Approximate number of deaths
which range from zoo, to 500 owing
to the demoralized condition of the
wires tapping the fire zone. Only
the most important messages are per-
mitted to be sent and the first of
these was a call for aid in behalf of
the 1000 or more homeless persons
who tonight inhabit the blackened
ash strewn heap of destruction.
Bemidji responded to the call for
aid by sending a staff of physicians,
and carload of provisions guarded
by Company K. Minnesota National
Guards, which, under instructions
from Governor Eberhart, was order
ed out by Adjutant General Wood,
as result of conversation over the
long distance telephone today.
This relief is being rushed to the
devastated district on special train
of three cars. The train was furn.
ished free by the Minnesota & In
ternational Railway Company and
left here at 3 p. m. under the care
of Conductor st. Cyr.
The relief expedition is in charge
of Sheriff A. B. Hazen and Deputy
Sheriff A. G. Rutledge. Reports
that Iooting had already begun re-
suited in the determination to take
the militia along to guard the stores
as well as to do whatever police
work might be required of them.
IS of the militiamen responded to
the hurry call for duty. The orders
from St. Paul were that the men
arm themselves with rifles and pre-.
pare themselves with two days
rations. They are under command
of First Sergeant Harry Cell.
Although the call for assistance
was not received here until late Sun.
day morning more than $500 worth
of provisions were aboard the train,
which pulled out at 3 p. m. and
rushed along at a mile minute on
its mission of mercy, orders having
been issued giving it preference over
all other traffic. ~
The provisions consist of flour,
sugar, coffee and tea, canned goods
and other groceries and ham,
bacon and smoked fish. These sup.
plies were purchased in the name Of
the Bemidji Commercial Club, al
though It is expected the cost will be
finally paid by either the county OF
state.
Mayor John c. Parker appointed
the following committee of Bemidji
business men who are aboard the
special train to see that the goods
were distributed where they would
do the most good: T. ]. Burke
president Northern Wholesale Gro
Gerry Co; County Auditor Hayner
Register Of Deeds Harris: w. R
Mackenzie, secretary Of the North
ern Minnesota Development Associ