Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-16
IN
FORESTS
START UP
AFRESK
McGrath, Minn., Reported
Burning; Other Villages
MenaCed; Bodies of 742
Victims Recovered.

Duluth, Mimi, Oct. Is. -
Famed by a wind increasing
in velocity, forest fires broke
out afresh tonight on a 25-
mile stretch between Lawler
and McGrath, about 60 miles
southwest of here. Adjutant-
General Rhinow and Gov
ernor Burnquist left Duluth
for Lawler and Aitken with
100 home guardsmen to aid
in fighting the flames.
McGrath is reported to be burn
ing and the fire, reports said, was
advancing on Solona, White Pine
and other villages.
General Rhinow is considering
calling out the entire guard forces
Of the state to hold the flames in
check.
In addition to the towns men
toned, Wahkon and Pillager, MINI,
were said to be threatened by peat
fires, but so far as is known their
danger is not great,
People Prepare to Flee.
Late tonight an army OF fire
lighters took to the woods ahead
Of the fire. They were instructed
to backfire a sufficient strip to pre-
vent the spread of the flames.
Pockets in which embers have
been smouldering during the past
two days are said to be developing
in many directions due to the in
creasing winds. Fire fighters de-
clare a brisk wind would without
doubt cause serious fires over the
entire burned district and possibly
in areas as yet untouched
In all threatened cities, trains
have been made ready to take out
the inhabitants should the fire con-
tinue to spread. Reports to the
office of the Minneapolis. St. Paul
and Sault ste. Marie railroad train
dispatcher said many persons, fear
ing to remain in their homes; were
Steering tonight in box cars to
which ENGINES with steam up have
been attached.
725 Bodies Recovered.
Reports from the burned area
tonight were to the effect that the
bodies of US fire victims have been
recovered with much of the devas-
tated section still to be explored.
Officials continued to estimate the
number of dead at close to 1000
Coincident with the announcement
that state officials will hold re-
Mobilization conference tomorrow at
Moose Lake. scores of refugees who
have been quartered here. started
back for their homes. Nearly all
expressed the intention OF rebuild
ing their farmsteads. The first
steps to be taken, it was said, will
be to provide funds. under re-
cent amendment to the state con-
stitution permitting loaning of state
trust funds to farmers for long
terms. Already local dealers are
receiving large orders for lumber
and other building material to be
used in The work of rehabilitation.
General relief measures, it was
announced. have been inaugurard
under the direction of state public
safety commission. the state calam-
ity board and relief committee, the
governor and the adiutant general.
Sailors Ready for Rescue Work.
Chicago. Oct. l5.-Three batta'-
ions of sailors were being held in
readiness to entrain at moments
notice at the Great lakes naval
training station tonight to go to
Minnesota for rescue duty in the
sections swent by forest fires. Capt.
w. A. Moffett. commandant. was
waiting a replv from Governor
Burnuuist to his MESSAGE which
stated that the navy would nay all
the expenses of the men if they
conid re of assistance.