The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-09-09

effort to save the villages of Johns
dale and HilIman southwest of
here, from destruction by forest
fires. The flames are approaching
slowly on sIx-miIe front and hum
dreds of farmers from this vicin-
ity and business men and workers
from Onamia Joined the volunteer
army which set out for the danger
area.
McGrath, Minn.-Hundreds of re,
fugees driven from villages and home,
steads north and west of here by the
advancing forest fires are being cared
for In McGrath. Penniless and with,
out food they have added a new prob,
lem to that of fighting the fast en-
croaching flames that have already
destroyed the town of Whitepine and
are threatening Selana, few miles
northeast.
The town of Whitepine is already in
ruins. Twenty families in Solana will
be trapped If the fires break through
the lines established around the town
by National Guardsmen and volunteer
fighters. The village of Arthyde, Ia
miles from here, also in the path OF
the flames, can be saved only so long
as this area escapes a brisk wind. Al
present calm prevails.
Lumber Mill Burns.
Fires which surrounded Whitepine
were believed well in hand when with
out warning the big lumber and plan.
ing mill at Whitepine burst into
flames. Spreading rapidly to the dozen
or more dwellings in the area of the
mill, the heart of the town was soon
a seething furnace. The general
store, a rooming house and the post
office were next to go while the school
house and one dwelling, the only two
buildings left standing in that desolate
village, were saved only after hard
fight.
The men at Whitepine were out on
the firing line fighting the brush fires
when destruction of the village began.
Women and children caught without
warning, were forced to flee without
any attempt to save their possessions.
Trucks were pressed into service to
carry few of the refugees to Nc
Grath while others walked, reaching
here this evening, weary and discour-
aged.
Meanwhile an investigation is under
way with both state and county Of
ficials seeking evidence to prove that
the Whitepine fire was of incendiary
origin. Adjutant General W. f.
Rhinow in charge of the troops in this
area, is certain the mill was set on
fire, and has ordered thorough in
quiry. Feeling runs high among the
refugees who are determined to find
the person guilty of this piece of in
cendiarism
The weather has been ideal for the
fire fighters, with hardly breath of
wind to fan the flames. Strong lines
have been established around the vii
lagos of Arthyde and only a heavy
wind will drive the flames into tract
of tamarack that separates the twenty
or more dwellings there from the fires.
Should the flames reach this timber
tract the town is doomed, forest
rangers have predicted.
Twenty Families at Solana.
Although Solana, like Arthyde, has
been ordered vacated, twenty families
have refused to leave. Their plight
will become serious should the flames
break through the fire lines. Troops
were rushed to Solana to fight fires
breaking across the 500 Line tracks
into a heavy timber tract adjacent to
the town. They apparently have been
successful, according to reports reach
ing here.
McGrath alone has been immune
from the fires. 1t rests surrounded by
burning forests and brush but with no
immediate danger of its being
menaced by the flames