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Show C APPALLING INhIsTORSVT flflcTION . Flames Defying all Resistance Rush Along at Rate of Seventy-five Miles an Hour- Supervisor Loses Three Hundred Out of Force of Six Hundred Men Spokane, Aug. 23. Three hundred fire fighters out of a total force of 600 men which has been battling with , U,e llamed in the burning white pine I forests of northern Idaho ave unaccounted unac-counted lor today. Government Forest For-est Supervisor W. It. .Welgle, in an J.:terlew at Wallace today declared his belief that nearly all of this entire en-tire number had perished. 'Out of my total forco of CoO raeu, I have received word of tho safety of only 300." said the supervisor. "The others, when last heard from, v. ere working in the districts where the flames have been fiercest, along the headwaters of the Couer d'Alene and the St Joe. I am forced to tho appalling conclusion that nearly all of these men have lost their lles" "Never in my life," said Mr, "Wclgle "have I seen conditions so appalling The llames have defied all resistance j"nd, rushing along at tho rate ot from 20 to 75 miles an hour have swept everything before them. Up r.nd down gulches, across mountains and over deep ravines, they have b-aped, leaving only doath in their path." Supervisor Welglo sent Rangier A. L Holcorub today to open up the old Mullau road leading to the Bullion n.ine, where eight bodies are burled. These will be brought to Wallace tomorrow. to-morrow. Ten poldlers from Fort George Wright, left to aid in clearing clear-ing the path. A crew was sent out to the Big Fork of the Couer d'Alene where 12 bodies are burled tinder the ruins. This will necessitate the clearing of thirty miles of road to Wallace. Besides the 12 dead at Big Fork three men are lying with broken legs end three others totally blinded. Dr. Max T. Smith of "Wallace, is bending relict expedition. """" A dispatch from Mullan says that immediate, danger to that camp has passed. The fires have eaten away a'l the'dry brush on all sides of the town so that nothing but clear land lies between the fire district and the i rarest buildings. Women and children chil-dren left for Spokane and other towns and are safe now to return Heavy clouds are hanging over the district and rain Is expected. |
