The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-10

WAR ROAD. MINI. Oct. ln.-At
least zoo persons have persisted In
the forest fires which have ragged in
this district for the past three days
and the death roll may reach 80 to
geo. according to Information re-
ccived al War Road nj noon to-day.
Fires are raging over large track
OF territory south of here, while 9TH
ers are coming dawn on the western
side of the lake of the weeds to meet
those on the south, Nothing can stop
the flames bat "a heavy downpour OF
rain. and that is unlikely at this sea-
son of the year. The towns OF Beau
dette and Spooner are completely
wiped out, and the villages Of Gray
ton. Swift Roosevelt. Pitt and Cedar
Spur have been destroyed.
The fire zone covered a district OF
eighty-fiNe miles In length from era
vel Pit Spur. west of here. to STRAIT
ton, Ont. and thirty mites in width,
Including all the territory between
Red Lake MINI. and the Lake OF
Woods In the north.
The fire Is spreading rapidly in an
directions.
one prominent, iumberman stated
that the loss will be about $4,000 a
square mile. Practically 5000 miles
have been burned over.
spares No Expense.
The State OF Minnesota is sparins
no expense In fghting the flames. and
has given instructions to fire fighters
To muster all the men they can get
The town OF Roosevelt. MINI. last
might sent an appeal for help 10 Ros-
seau. all the other available towns
having been appealed 10. Fifty IRE
fighters left from there early this
~
Later reports say The village ~s-
wiped out.
The town of Italnet River is on
fire from the International bridge to
Sixth street, distance of over halt
q mile, and II lis feared the entire town
viii be destroyed.
In the burned area MAS the Rat
Portage Lumber company's mill one
OF tine finest in Western Canada. cost
ing s3so,oao This was destroyed as
we'll as the companys yards, contain
ing ten million feet OF lumber. The
Western Canada Flour Mills, Stave
Mills and hfty-odd residences were
destroyed.
All available hose and fire lighting
apparatus is in use, and appeals have
been sent to towns in Il large radius.
Nine Families Perish.
Nine entire families OF from two
TO eight persons are known To have
perished in the fires. Most of the
bodies were found along the Canadian
Northern railroad tracks. where the
people fiocked when their homes were
destroyed.
The general manager OF the railroad
issued a statement at noon saying that
efforts would be made to get a train
from Rainey River TO War Road to-
day He said. however. the passage
or such train would be slow owing
10 the weakened condition of the
tracks. After burning its way to the
railroad right of way. the fire swept
UP the tracks as though blown through
funnel.
ed by the heat and the ties burned
out
Nine women rode from a settlement
I'VE miles from War Road one horse
back to escape the fire. Three OF them
carried babies. They rode directly
down the railroad tracks and were
badly scorched.
The greatest credit is given for the
bravery OF women at every point de-
stroyed by the fires. When the spe
cial train left Beaudettt many had
10 fight their way 10 the cars through
the crowds of men seeking to board
the train.
Myra Burt school teacher. stood
in the door OF box car and kicked
every man who attempted to board
the train ahead of the women Nearly
4 score OF babies were handed over
the heads OF them and when the train
arrived here X was found that the
mothers Of Ave had been left behind.
The babies are being cared for at the
hospital.
Urgent Calls.
with the forest Ares still raging
north OF the ruined towns OF Beau
dette, Hpooner and Pitt, sixty charrad
oorpsea recovered and seventy Ave
pernons known to have porished.
white 1000 ,thers are missing. urgent
calls for aid were sent out from here
to-day in hopes II getting the blax-
in9 forests under control.
Tho total number Of dead as the
result OF tho destruction of the towns
20 far leveled II estimated to-day at
from 900 10 500. OF the 1000 still
miasing. the majority are believed to
have taken refuge In the many small
villages In this section. but II II ad-
mittAd many must have perished.
Two Towns Threatened.
To-day tho towns Of Warroad.
fContinDed on Fifth PaxAl