Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1910-08-25
HUNDREDS
MAY BE DEAD
Supervisor Reports Half Of His
Force of 600 Men Still
Unaccounted For.
FIRES RAGING FIERcELY
Passengers ON Belated Train. Tell Thrill.
ing Stories Of Their, Experience
in Holacoust.

situation west is taken from late dis
patch published in The Sioux City
Tribune. The heavy clouds of smoke
that have been prevalent here
for the past few days has given rise to
many reports but no.fire in close has
oeen reported thus far:
Spokone. WASH, Aug. 23.--Three
hundred fire fighters Of total force Of
600 men, which has been battling the
flames in the burning White Pine
forests of Northern Idaho, are un.
accounted for today.
Government Forest Supervisor w. r.
Weigle, in an interview at Wallace
today, declared his belief that nearly
all of this entire number had perished.
"Out Of my total force Of GOO men I
have received word of the safety
of only 3oo," said the super
visor, THE others, when last heard
from, we're working in the districts
where the flames have been 6ercest,
along the head waters of the Occur
d'Alene aud the st. Joe. am forced
to the APPALLING conclusion that nearly
all of these men have lost their lives'
Wardner In Danger.
Four fires are raging within q mile
and half of Wardner, Idaho, and the
town is in grave danger. Six hundred
men from the Federal, Caledonia end
Bunker Hill mines have been sent out
to back 1re. The women and child >
ren are prepared to leave, route TO
safety being still open.
Supervisor Wei9le sent Ranger A. E.
Holcomb today to open up tho old
Mullan road leading to the Bullion
mine, where eight bodies are buried.
A crew was sent out to the Big Fork
of the Occur D'Alene, where twelve
bodies are buried under the RUNE.
This will necessitate the clearing Of
thirty miles of road to Wallace.
Besides the twelve dead at Big Fork,
three men suffered broken legs and
others we're totally blinded. DR.. Max
T. Smith, of Wallace, is heading q re-
lief expedition.
A dispatch from Mullan says that
immediate danger to that camp has
passed. Heavy clouds are hanging
over the district and rain is expected.
Washington Hears That situation IA Inn
proved.
WoohinOkov, Ar~
officials here issued statement today
summing up reports from agents in the
field concerningthe fires situation. The
situation in the Missoula district has
improved and the winds are less violent
today. says Associated District Forester
Wilcox in a dispatch received here.
Thirty-three fire fighters are known
to be dead in the Lolo and Occur
d'Alene region, and two more are re-.
ported to be fatally hurt. These figures
cover only the lives of the fire fighters,
and no attempt is made to estimate the
loss of life. The summary Of the situ.
alton is contained in the statement re-.
ceived at the bureau this morning from
Associated District Forester Wilcox. at
Missoula.
Following is the text of the message:
"The known dead Of the fire fighters
In the Lolo and Occur d. Alene regions
now number thirty-three, with two
more reported fatally hurt. Several
large crews not yet heard from and in
danger. All towns in the st. Regis
and Saltese burned. Wind less violent
today and hope to get rescue and fire
fighting parties started tomorrow.
'Situation also better In Missouls.
where fire burning ranches is under
control, but other fires are burning.
Fires in Gallstin and Bear Tooth for.
ests north Of Yellowstone National
Park also under control. Supervisor
Skeels reports three days. high winds.
Town Of Troy now in grave danger.
"Entire Fisher river watershed on fire
and hundreds Of fighters forced to
abandon tools and supplies and fee.
sylvanite destroyed and Yakt river
watershed afire for miles. Upper Fisher
Yskt and Pipe creek ares have boon
abandoned and crews can probably get
out safely. Nothing known Of situs-
tion on Flathead and Black Feet
forests"
Acting Governor Jay 8owerman, of
Oregna, in telegram to the forest
service has offered the assistance Of the
state militia. l. is expected the offer
will be accepted.
The 0ras on the Colville Indian res.
ervstion are growing worse and cannot