Northern Michigan Forest Fire,  July 1911

 

Originally Published in the Chicago Tribune, July 12, 1908:

(text in Italics refers to a possible alternative spelling- the microfilm was a bit hard to read)

Flames Sweep North Michigan

Half Dozen Houses all that Remain of Au Sable and Oscoda and Several Small Villages

Alpena Has Big Blaze

Heavy Rain Needed to Prevent the Destruction of Great Forest by Flames in the North

Detroit, Mich., July 11- With hardly more than half a dozen houses left standing in the villages of Au Sable and Oscoda, with the city of Alpena fighting a disastrous fire all day, and with forest fires raging along the line of the Detroit and Mackinac railroad from Au Sable to Cheboygan, heavy rain is needed tonight to prevent a possible heavy loss of life.

A disaster such as that which began with the destruction of the village of Metz, Oct. 16, 1908, and the burning of nearly a score of people seeking safety on a relief train is feared.

Today's fires at Alpena and Oscoda were not due to forest fires but originated in slab yards that were dry as tinder from the long drought. At Cheboygan a mountain of sawdust caught fire and the flames threatened to spread throughout the city.

Small Towns Reported Burned

The smaller towns of Metz, Millersburg, and Tower, along the Detroit and Mackinac railroad, were reported to be burning, and Lewiston, in Montmorency county, and Alger and Turner, in Arenac county, were said to be seriously threatened by forest fires.

Wire service from Au Sable north to Cheboygan was interrupted this afternoon, but news of the fires at Alpena, Oscoda, and Au Sable was forwarded by Train to East Tawas, where wires were available for transmission to Detroit.

C.A. Lyttle, manager for the Western Union at Alpena, who got out of Alpena on a train at 7 p.m., and arrived at East Tawas late this evening, said that the train passed through no fires until they were approaching Au Sable.

Au Sable Mass of Flames

"The city was a mass of flames," he said. "I don't believe there are half a dozen houses left standing. Many refugees were taken from Au Sable on the steamer Kongo (Rongo?) that was in port loading freight.

Others flocked to the shore of Lake Huron and were driven into the water by the intense heat. Many found refuge in the fields along the railroad right of way, standing guard over little piles of personal effects that they were able to snatch from their homes as they fled at the approach of the flames.

Women and children were crying from terror and hunger as they viewed the burning village in the distance. A relief train was hurriedly made up to carry the homeless women and children to East Tawas."

There are rumors that some lives were lost in the fire at Oscoda and Au Sable, but it is impossible to obtain any confirmation.

Fear Train Has Been Lost

A logging train arriving at Wolverine from the Hankwood branch of the Michigan Central railroad in Cheboygan county bring the report that the forest fires are gaining headway rapidly. The train had crossed a burning bridge when the structure fell.

Another logging train coming in on the same road is on the forest side of the burned bridge, and fears are entertained for the safety of its crew.

On the Pigeon River branch of the Michigan Central, another logging crew is reported cut off by burned bridges. Wood choppers throughout the Wolverine timber districts were compelled to abandon their amps and flee for their lives.

Bay City is in the center of the relief work. A special train carrying food for 1,500 homeless people around Oscoda was sent out of that city tonight. Mayor Woodruff acted at once upon receipt of a telegram asking for food. Wholesale and retail food supply houses were opened and the cars were filled with supplies.