Oregon Forest Fires, Aug 1910 - third article

FIRE HITS SEVERAL OREGON HAMLETS

Business Section of Langlois Wiped Out---Daniels Creek Logging Camp Burns.

STAGEDRIVER IS SCORCHED.

No Loss of Life Reported in Southern and Central Sections of State---Blaze Rages in Vicinity of Brownsville.

Forest fires in Central and Southern Oregon and portions of the Williamette Valley are still burning. Serious fires were reported yesterday in localities which heretofore had suffered little, while in those sections which were seriously menaced Wednesday night, notably Wendling and Marcola, the flames seemed to have spent themselves.

State soldiery, regular troops, Government foresters, loggers and citizens combined against the fires. Some places reported serious damage, however. The McDonald-Vaughn logging camp, on Daniel Creek, in the vicinity of Marshfield, was practically wiped out yesterday, several buildings, six residences and 1400 feet of logging railway being burned.

Langlois Wiped Out.

The entire business district of Langlois, in Curry County, was wiped out. Only a blacksmith shop and a soft-drink stand remain in the business portion. While the blaze was not caused by a forest fire, it was due to the dry weather, and started in a livery stable. Citizens had nothing with which to fight the flames except Peter Hagerson's hotel, Richard Sorenson's hotel, two stores, the postoffice, a barber shop, a woodworking shop, several residences and other buildings.

Langlois is also known as Dairyville and is the first town on the stage line from Brandon to Curry County.

Brownsville Asks Help.

A new fire started last night at Brownsville, Mayor H. E. Hilldray wiring for 500 soldiers. He said that the entire Calapoola Village appeared to be on fire. No more troops can be supplied from American Lake, according on information from the Forester at Washington. Governor Bowerman is willing to send the militia to such counties as secure the endorsement of the County Court. There is no fund from which the troops may be paid for such services, and the Governor has announced his reluctance to incur great expenses for fire fighting unless there is some hope of securing the money from the next Legislature or the counties benefited.

One of the worse fires in the history of Linn County was reported beyond control 15 miles east of Brownsville, along the Calapoola Creek. Already the burned area has covered a space 30 miles square and , with a strong wind, the flames are increasing, shooting 200 feet in the air. The Stevens-Rusell and Drew Lumber companies have already suffered heavy losses.

Forest Reserves Menaced.

A fire is going in the direction of the Cascade National Forest. Eugene, Lebanon and Brownsville have been asked to send men to fight the fire.

Alarm was felt yesterday for the little town of Prescott, on the Rogue River. It was feared that, fanned by the wind, the fire would leap the river into the settlement, but the danger is now thought to be past. One hundred soldiers and 30 men are at work there.

From Medford is reported a big fire on Elk Prairie, in the Dead Indian country, 25 miles east of Ashland. Ashland is not in danger. The Clover Creek fire had broken out on the east side. Because of the remoteness of these points, details are lacking. Soldiers have ben[sic] sent to Elk Prairie.

Stagedriver Scorched.

With the forests' blazing on each side of him and the flames reaching across the road and with no chance to turn back, Rufus Howe, in charge of the mail stage from Roseburg, made a wild dive for half a mile through the mountain near Marshfield today. He had no passengers, but carried a large load of mail.

The fire was west of Dora. Howe did not know how bad the fire was until he got started, and he could not turn back. He was scorched, but not badly hurt.

There are many fires throughout the Marshfield country, but it is not thought that the fire situation is at all dangerous. The timbermen say that the fires will not burn the green timbers, the blazes so far being contained to the smaller timbers.

The general situation in Southern Oregon fire districts was more favorable yesterday. The soldiers are doing fine work, Assistant District Forester Buck said last evening.

Ashland Canyon Fire Serious.

The Ashland Canyon fire was reported not under control. Colestine sent in a call to Medford for more men yesterday. A number went south yesterday afternoon.

The Cathill fire is not under control on North and South sides.

While at a late hour last night communication at Eugene with many points in the timber districts was out of the question, The general situation was somewhat improved over what it was Wednesday. There are more fires, but they are not burning as fiercely, owing to the absence of high winds.

The Wendling fire, which wiped out that town Wednesday night, has practically spent itself. The fires near the Southern Pacific mill No. 2. which were so fierce yesterday afternoon that the women and children were brought out, is now under control. News comes from Mabel, where fears were strong all day yesterday, that unless the wind comes up or new fires break out, there will be no further danger. No further fires on the Mohawk have been reported.

Leaburg Has Fire.

On the McKenzie there is a small fire at Leaburg and one near Hendrick's Bridge, but the latter is under control. No word has been received from the Upper Blue River region, where 35 men went from Eugene yesterday morning. This fire is in the forest reserve.

In the Coast Mountains the fires are still burning and doing considerable damage to timber, but a message from Hale at a late hour said that conditions were very much improved and no other settlers will likely lose their homes. Two homes, those of James Lever and O. Wilcut, on Nelson Creek, were destroyed. The stage, which usually gets into Eugene from Hale about 7 o'clock in the evening, did not leave the latter place last night until midnight on account of the delay to the stage between Mapleton and Hale.

Frank Blachley, Alexander Powers, Joe Almoi, Frank Parker and Fred Peplot lost their homes.

Both forest supervisors, Seitz, of the Cascade, and Cahoon, of the Sluslaw forest reserves, are actively in the field directing the firefighters.

Militia Is Ready.

Company A and Company C of the state militia are at the Armory in Eugene, dressed and equipped to respond to the Governor's call.

The fire at Mount Pitt is still raging, but is being confined to the west slope of the mountain range, according to Klamath Falls dispatches. Whether there is some fire on the east side of the mountain cannot be determined precisely, as the air is thick with smoke and also small flakes of ashes are carried as far as Odessa, and the shores of Upper Klamath Lake.

The latest report from the fire would indicate, however, that the flames were being confined to the west slope of the Cascaded. The following message was received by Mrs. Neff, wife of Chief Forester Neff, of the Crater National forest, at Odessa, today: "In field men are safe from fire now raging in heavy timber, nine miles of fire from Mount Pitt checked east to Blue Canyon. Fire is heavy near Blue Canyon. Moved crew to summit to stop fire coming over the divide, fire was put out on the east side of the mountain. It looks as though some one was trying to burn up the country. It is hard to keep the men together, the smoke and flames are so severe.

Idlers Are Ousted.

"Four men were given ten minutes to leave the Government camp or be thrown into Squaw Lake because they would not work. We have no communication with the balance of he 600 men who are fighting this fire. Fresh soldiers are expected every moment. A reward of $10,000 will be offered by the Government, also a squad of detectives will be put into this country to catch firebugs."

Fires are burning near Siletz Bay on Drift and Schooner Creeks. The extent of destruction is unknown, but is thought not to be very serious as yet. Other fires near Newport are almost out. Rain is expected at Newport.

Morning Oregonian, Portland, OR 26 Aug 1910