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Newspaper
Cranbrook Herald
Location
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Date
Aug 06, 1908
Page
7
Fire tears through Fernie with Aranbrook notes of the blaze totaling 70.00 in reported losses. Fire crews fought the flames, injuries are unlisted, and property damage is under investigation.
Mrs W W Tuttle wife of Fernie mayor lauds Thomas Caven as a hero and notes Cranbrook as a place where heroes are made. She thanks Cranbrook correspondents and the CPR Telegraph company for swift news service provided by operator Mr Hutchinson during the relief effort.
The Nelson Daily and Cranbrook Herald rebut a Dyer item claiming Conductor Tom Caven refused to transport refugees from Fernie. The papers defend Caven as generous and warn readers not to trust the false report, pledging community support for him.
A bridge a mile east of Swansea caught fire this afternoon as an express train approached. The crew rushed the train past the blaze and extinguished the flames. Claresholm mayor Mr. Moffatt led a 41 donation to the Fernie relief committee, with Cranbrook pledged to help Fernie residents in need.
Community volunteers in Moyie and Cranbrook respond to Fernie fire distress. A demimonde woman offers her home to feed evacuees while others donate fabric to make children’s clothes. A Fernie married woman seeks funds to contact her Honolulu brother after losing everything.
Fernie citizens express heartfelt thanks through Mayor Fink and the Cranbrook Relief Committee for generous help after the calamity. Residents praise volunteers, praising meals, clothing drives, dish washing brigades, and medical and writing room support.
The text thanks local volunteers including Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Pasta, Mrs. J. H. King, and Mrs. Keay for directing the clothing and wash tents in the relief effort. It notes the babies were bathed under supervision, helping prevent illness and thanking the entire community.
Crambrook residents faced a large temporary population due to a fire with volunteers from Commercial Travellers aiding relief. Saskatchewan and Crows Nest Pass Coal Company pledges, while Fernie, Bank of Hamilton losses, and a lost family committee galvanized aid. Fire destroyed the Fernie mill and surrounding buildings as workers moved women and children to safety.
T Whalen of the Napanee hotel ordered lumber for a new hotel with little insurance. Wallace of the Femie also ordered lumber for a brick and stone structure, 72 rooms. The Trading Company will rebuild its store, with buck and lumber ordered. Chief of Police Gouk dispensed summary justice to pilferers, administering rough punishments to two culprits.
Alex McDougall of Fernle Lumber placed ten thousand on fire insurance the day before a blaze. G Scott of Trites Wood, new to insurance, bought coverage that morning and the building burned in the afternoon.
In Fernie a hospital fire saw Nurse Corbet and Nurse Laidlaw carry and lead eighteen patients to safety. Eight Coal company workers came to help but only two arrived in time. The nurses and Dr. and Mrs. Green assisted while the Royal Humane Society is urged to recognize them.
Fernie Odd Fellows quickly organized aid for homeless people after removal to new locations. Vic funds poured in by mail and wife, with a special meeting held to appoint a committee to manage contributions and ensure proper care for Odd Fellows in need.
Duty free Ottawa reporters note the customs department instructs western collectors to grant free supplies for Fernie relief. A cabinet meeting discussed possible grants for fire sufferers. Sir Wilfrid Laurier received a Seattle message offering help. Trail raises 1800 and ships ten crates of clothing. Mayor Morin leaves soon for Fernie to inspect and assess further aid.
A fierce blaze at the Fernir Lumber mill drove planks through the air as the wind faltered. Horses were pushed toward the river to safety while women and children sheltered on an island until morning. The warehouse with food supplies remained intact and meals were prepared for all hands.
A Fernie relief committee meeting Monday evening decided to form subcommittees. Under Mr. McKee Fernie members met the Cranbrook committee to establish joint action. Appointees include accommodation J Parker and others. foreigners F F Rabansach W S Costanzo S M Lukas G Wasnock. missing St Chilton F Woodhouse. children A Cartridge W Dickinson R Linn P Atkinson W Atkinson. employment and transportation Waylett Robertson Lester Linn Dickinson Macdonald.
The account notes that the coal mine hump disrupted employment temporarily. It suggests that the stoppage spared more loss by delaying fatalities and providing relief to families who would otherwise face hardship if workers kept shifts. The implication is that the mining incident, while disruptive, mitigated greater harm.
Telegram from Winnner Manitoba dated August 4 asks Fernie to cooperate with Crows Nest Pass Coal Company and Great Northern to relieve distressed Fernie citizens. The message notes the effort may seem necessary to ease hardship.
Cranbrook reports reveal no blanket ban on refugee trains by Superinterdent Brownlee. Six refugees were turned away due to lack of food and shelter, with attempts to route arrivals to Spokane and other CPR points under consideration. Local relief committees praise food service and volunteer efforts from Fernie, Nelson, and Vancouver officials.
Spokane Flyer reports a large baggage car from Spokane carrying supplies under W Findley. Local committees led by J F M Pinkham and J A Arnold coordinate money, bedding, shelter, and clothing. Refugees are assigned to quarters at the Auditorium, fed, clothed, and registered to track arrivals. Volunteers organize lodging, lost-child recovery, and a letter-writing bureau shipping thousands of notices worldwide.
An eyewitness minister recounts the Pernie fire near town the sudden smoky veil the burst of flame across the river and the scramble to evacuate. A relief train ferried children and families to safety as flames engulfed mills and lumber yards driving residents toward Michel and Olson.
Witness to Cranbrook fire recounts skirting flames on a disabled Elk Linnher line train. The narrator praise goes to the engine crew for steering through a burning area to reach safety at the cut bank station. Expressions of gratitude toward railways follow the crisis.
In Fernie a massive urban fire driven by a southwesterly gale destroys Mutz's brewery and P Burns and Co premises amid chaos. Crowds flee along CPR and GNR lines as residents strive to save children and flee with panicked nationalities fleeing toward Elk River shores.
A massive forest blaze rages on both sides of the valley destroying the city and forcing families to abandon their homes. Amid the chaos a young operator along the CPR line fights to warn Cranbrook and other points, while heroic acts emerge despite losses.
The Spokane Chamber of Commerce launches a relief drive for Fernie B C after a large fire. Acting Mayor J S Phillips and President F R Goodall lead calls for clothing food shelter and money. Supplies are organized for shipment by carload with broad local support and cooperation from businesses and officials.
The undersigned state they are no longer in partnership and will operate their livery business independently. N. C. McKinstry and John Dezall signaled the change with the date noted as 20-24.
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