News from the Dart - Part 1

Hinckley's Pine-Wood Dart was published by Frank T. Sheppard, and later Angus Hay, from July 9, 1891, through June 30, 1893. It covered local news and ran advertising for Hinckley, Sandstone, Willow River, Pine City, and other nearby towns.

The next several posts will feature excepts from the Pine-Wood Dart that capture the “flavor” of a small Pine County newspaper in the 1890s.

From the October 1, 1891, issue:

Aftermath of the Fire – Narrow Escape – Loss – Busy Campers – A Dam Burned

          The forest fires last week swept over an immense territory but the loss to camps and other property and life was not as great as would naturally be supposed. A number of people had close calls for their lives. Five farm hands are reported as having been burned to death near Pine City while fighting fire. The escape of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Mottaz, together with ten others, was miraculous. For fifteen hours they were obliged to seek refuge in the waters of the South Fork of the Grindstone, and even there were not free from the distressing effects of a terrible smoke, heated as from a furnace, and saved themselves only by throwing wet blankets over their heads. The fire swept down upon their camp – one of A.J. Lammar's – unexpectedly from two directions, and but a few valuables were saved. A half mile above the parties the river was dammed which structure was entirely destroyed owing to the low stage of water, entailing loss to Mr. Lammars. Wednesday Mrs. Mottaz was brought to town and found a home with her mother, Dr. Mary M. Scott, a few days. It was a trying ordeal and Mrs. Mottaz does not care to undergo it again.
          It is impossible to estimate the damage to mill logs but it is thought not to be great where the trees are cut during the coming winter. The loss of A.J. Lammars in camp buildings and logging tools is placed at about $4000 and that of the Brennan Lumber company at from $2500 to $8000. Mr. Lammars lost three or four camps. Men are living in tents until suitable buildings can be erected, the work of which is being vigorously prosecuted. The B.L. Co. lost its Grindstone camp.
          The Finlayson mill company lost two small lumber piles the amount of which was not great. It was a fortunate and providential escape for that town, so terrific the flames and plenty the fire food. Heroic efforts only saved the town and five million feet of lumber. We rejoice with its citizens.
          Willow River did not suffer damage but had a close call owing to men putting out back fire, which got the start of them and made fighting lively for a time.
          No one relished the fires and are glad of the rains – which put out all traces.

[Note: Mrs. Mottaz, nee Agnes Scott, died along with her young children in the great forest fire of 1894, which killed at least 400 and probably closer to 500 people. Her husband Louis survived and later married Clara Troolin. The fate of the Scott family remains a mystery at this point. Dr. Mary, her husband Henry, and their children Carl, Della, and Albert do not seem to appear in any records after the 1894 fire.]