Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-21
MANYTALESOF
FIRES
Outstanding Facts Regard
ing Minnesota Fires Now
Coming to Light.

~. IduA, IA1uIl.s OCL. - Out>
standing facts regarding the forest
Minnesota late Saturday, burned
fiercely Sunday and Monday, and nov
have died down to isolated strips and
pockets which are being guarded by
military fighters, have been told. All
the intimate details Of the experiences
OF those who escaped the flames;
those who fought back fires which
were menacing their homes and the
work of the rescuers cannot be print
ed. They are too many. Often the
story of one is the story Of hundreds.
now being told are Of those who fed
through flaming sections, reaching
shelter, many receiving burns, the
scars of which they will carry through
life, and to whom the dazed blurr Of
what they passed through is return
ing to their numbed minds. News
gatherers who arrived at the scene Of
the fire as soon as fast trains and
automobiles could carry them through
the smouldering 1reswept sections
rushed to these people in the hope Of
the fire with all it's details. When
questioned, many smiled: Yves, 1
guess all of my folks were burned. I
haven't seen any of them and l
haven't heard of anyone who has,"
was the answer to questions put re-
gardtnK their experiences. Others on
ly looked at the questioner, said II
don't know" and turned away. walk
Ing nowhere in particular, just NOV
ing because they could and because
1t Is natural for people to move
about. Still others sat huddled in
partly burned clothes, waiting for Red
Cross workers to take them by the
hand, draw them to their feet and
lead them to a place where clothing
and food was furnished.
Many of those who escaped, and to-
day have full control Of their mental
processes declare they do not know
how they escaped. The fire terror
was upon them and following the in
stincts of wild animals made for the
closest water. In one lake near the
dreds Of persons took refuge in the
water. With them came wild ami
mails, which usually shun<> people.
plunging into the life-saving lake
without regard for its human occu-
pants.
A wrecked automobile found par
TALLY submerged in the water Of Ket-
tie river bears mute evidence of the
effort of the owner to save the lives OF
SIX VINO were with MIN. The number
on the engine of the machine is the
only means of Identification left. Six
bodies were recovered from the wa
ter, two hundred yards below, three
days after the fire had swept the dis
trict, burned and swollen beyond
recognition.
The terrible heat Of the flames, suf-
fcient to melt coins in the pockets OF
persons unable to escape, is evidenced
on all sides. A rescue party stopped
near a farmhouse thinking to secure
water from a well. One Of the mer
lowered a pail into the we'll. when
I got the pail of water to the top II
was steaming. 1t was hot enough tc
boil eggs in" His story Is vouchec
for by five guardsmen who we're with
him.
Those who saw the survivors will
always remember the stoical. manner
in which they received news of the
death of all members OF their family
or searching the woodsl found all that
remained. Only a few burst into
tears. That seemed to be denied
them. They only looked on while
others did what they could.
A trip over the section swept by the
flames, shows in addition to the havoc
worked Saturday and Sunday, tina,
living in that district, when tents, col
lapsible houses and log huts, have
been erected, life will not be too
pleasant. The howl Of the timber
wolf ts to be heard at night,