The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-20
HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST
IN RAGING FLAMES
Fires Sweep Unchecked Through Woods of
Northern Ontario.-Whole Towns
Completely Destroyed

Toronto, Ont, July 12.-The loss
of life in the Porcupine district from
yesterdays fires is known to be sew
eral hundred and the property loss
will reach several millions of dollars.
Only three of the "a employees of the
West Dome mine have been account
ed for, and 200 miners, muckers, etc.,
in the Dome mine have been suffo-
Gated. The mines burned included
the Dome, North Dome, Preston-East
Dome. Vipond, Foley O'Brien, Phila-
delphia, United Porcupine, Eldorado
Porcupine, Standard Imperial, West
Dome and Success.
Among the dead are Robert Weiss,
manager of the West Dome, and his
wife and child. The Philadelphia
mines loss is about s50,000. United
Porcupine mines loss, $4,000; Ell
dorado Porcupine, all buildings de-
stroyed; Standard, about $4,000;
Imperial, about $35,O00; Success,
probably destroyed; West Dome
mines, about $4,000. All reports
give but vague idea of the loss OF
life as we'll as property in Porcuplne
camp, which probably will total mil
lions of dollars and hundreds of
lives.
Eats Up Towns.
In four short hours, commencing
at 1890 yesterday afternoon, the fire
swept from the Standard mines
through to the shores of Porcuplne
Jake, where it ate up the towns OF
South Porcupine, Pottsville and part
OF Golden City, as well as many small
buildings along the lake front. While
some loss of life occurred in the vi
cinity of Porcupine lake, the greatest
havoc was wrought around the main
mines, notably West Dome and Big
Dome. There the entrapped miners,
cut off from escape, were forced to
take to the shafts for safety, and,
penned in by the flames, perished.
This was notably true at Dome and
West Dome mines.
Strewn With Dead.
The streets of South Porcupine are
strewn with dead persons, horses,
dogs and cattle, Along the mine
roads are the charred bodies Of those
overcome while trying to escape. or
the staff of 800 at the Dome, but a
few were saved and at the West
Dome but three out of "a employees
are known to be alive.
Early yesterday morning the
miners saw dense clouds of smoke to
the southwest, where the fires were
raging. They gave small heed. 1t
was not until noon that the dense
smoke clouds began to roll over the
Porcupine district. The miners be-
came alarmed. Messengers were sent
out and soon returned with warnings
that the fire was travelling through
the forest at rapid pace and was
licking up many towns.
Covers Many Miles.
Shortly after noon the fire had COW
cred an area of rs miles in length
and two miles in width and was lick
ing up the base line of Tisdale, sweep
ing OVER the Standard and Imperial
mines at Delore, the Philadelphia. In
shaw, Eldorado and United mines i'm
southern Whitney.
: When the seriousness of the sltu-
alton was apparent the fire call was
sounded with the Dome mine Whls-
tie. In half an hour the flames were
raging on the spot. They swept over
the Foley O'Brien mine, then jump
ed to the Preston-East Dome and fol-
lowed over the Dome, West Dome
and North Dome.
Hundreds fed before the flames,
but the dense clouds of black smoke
hung very low over Tue lano anu
made progress difficult.
Fell Exhausted.
Many fell exhausted before the rag
ing fire as it swept over the town of
South Porcupine. The frame build
ings burned iercely.
Twenty minutes after flames struck
the outskirts the town was in ashes.
All who escaped the flames made for
the water where all. sorts of water.
craft, launches, canoes, scows and
skiffs, were pressed into service.
Women and children were first
1huddeled into the small boats and
started off for Pottsville and Golden
City, where they were temporarily
safe from the flames. Many miners
lost their lives in efforts to save 9TH
ers and some were drowned.
YyI s-4-