The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-15

Brevator, Scanlon, Corona, Adolph,
Thompson.
Home Guard units from all over the
state are being modified to assist the
dazed survivors.
Instances are being related of sew
eral families budding together In one
cellar and being suffocated or crushed
to death.
In one cellar near Moose Lake, thir-
ty bodies were discovered, In another
cellar eight bodies and more are be-
ing discovered as the ruins cool enough
to permit of search.
Has Start Near Bemidji.
The fire started near Bemidji, where
fire has been smouldering for weeks.
Famed by a high wind, the flames
swept acros the state toward Duluth,
cutting q swath of so miles wide
through cut-over lands, bounded on
both sides by a chain OF lakes.
At Moose Lake the havoc wrought
by the blaze was most complete, al
though the loss of life In the town 1t.
self was low, because the inhabitants,
warned of the approach of the fire,
took refuge in the icy waters of the
lake.
Brainerd, Bemidji and Aitkin es-
capped destruction, partly because the
wind died down and in part through
heroic work of volunteer fire fighters.
Duluth and Superior. although sub
urbs were burned, we're untouched by
the flames and are serving as a place
of refuge for a large number of the
$4,000 homeless ones.
The heaviest loss of life was at
Moose Lake and vicinity. Adjutant
General Rhinow estimating that more
that 800 persons died there. Duluth
morgues have approximately 200 bod
les and officials estimate that several
hundred more dead men, women and
children are scattered throughout the
fire region.
Hibbine Hinged by Fire.
Hibbing, although ringed about fire,
was unframed. Citizens OF the iron
range were last night hurrying for
shelter at Carlton, and fires were
blazing at the Morton location, Kee.
watin and other towns. Grand Rapids
was reported on fire.
Five mills are all that is left in
Cloquet of what was yesterday a city
of 5000 persons with varied business
interests and many beautiful homes.
The homes are q smouldering ruin,
every residence being burned, but
warning Of the approaching fire came
In time to allow the people of the
town TO depart.
Pitiful Search for Relatives.
Moose Lake, Oct. 15.-The death list
In the Moose Lake-Kettle River dis.
trict has been estimated as high as
400 by those investigating conditions
Along the roads were found the
bodies OF mothers with babies clasped
to their lifeless breasts and children
clinging together.
Through the yellow pail Of pine
smoke that hung low over the ruins Of
Moose Lake, frightened mothers, car
rying thinly clad children In arms and
with others tied TO their apron strings
to guard against separation, conducted
a frantic and often hopeless search fol
missing husbands and fathers.
Ban on s~Iohtseers.
st. Paul, Oct. 15.-No ''rubbernecl
caravans" will be permitted to ira
verse the fireswept areas of Northern
Minnesota, IL was announced at the ad
jutant generals Office. The mandat,
was issued at the capitol following
an appeal by relief workers that per
sons outside the stricken area, unless
on special missions. refrain from inter
fering In the relief work, as relic
agencies now being organized have
their hands full In caring for refugees
st. Paul, Oct. 15.-Governor Burn
quist. accompanied by Mrs. Burnquist
left for Moose Lake, where he tool
charge OF relief work and investigated
the extent OF the disaster and will
order financial aid. Mrs. Burnquis
will also aid the women of the stricken
district as much as possible.
Governor BurnQuist cancelled all hi
speaking dates and said that he viii
decide whether financial assistance
which must be given, will com
through an appropriation by the calam
ity board of the state or by public sui
scription.
Calamity Board Has Power.
The calamity board, composed o
the Governor, state treasurer an
state auditor. has power to make a.
appropriation Of state funds for relic
work in such a disaster. he said, an
this course may be taken.
Major w. G. CARTS. chief of staff 4
Adjutant General Rhinow's Office, Of
dered out the National guard CON
panies from st. Cloud. Ironton an
other cities In proximity to the devai
tated area. Word came to him tina
fires were threatening Kimberly, Tan
arack and other places just east {
Aitkin. The fires at Kimberly an
Tamarack were extinguished but
message from Ironton said they ha
broken out again.
900 coffins for Moose Lake.
nouarol nhtunw NJ NTnnno TaI