GROANS AND PRAYERS AT MOOSE LAKE

Salesman Describes Terrible Scenes as Flames Swept Town.

A Chicago salesman, who makes his territory for a well known oil company, went through the inferno of Moose Lake and Kettle River and he told a thrilling story on his return to Duluth last night, after having aided in saving lives in both places. He lost his automobile, but feels that the loss is recompensed by the aid he extended to those trapped by fire in both places.

"I was in Moose Lake with another salesman in my car," he said, "and when the fire reached Kettle River, ten miles distant, a deputy sheriff called for volunteers to run machines to relief of the beleaguered villagers. I volunteered and the officer turned over a big car to me and told me to go to it. I took my personal papers and one small grip from my car, put them into the big machine and burned up the ground to Kettle River. The people there were in dire straits, but I managed to load the car and get a dozen or more out, even stopping and picking up some children on the way back who were separated from their parents.

"When we returned, Moose Lake was a cauldron, the flames eating up the buildings like tinder. Men, women and children, horses and cattle were out in the lake and we all joined them, wading out so that only our mouths were exposed. The agonizing wails of women and children mingled with the screams of horses - I never heard a horse scream before - were awful. One woman lay on the surface of the water dead either from fright or drowning, with a half-dead child beside her. We were in the water four hours before it was safe to leave. When I left, the surface of the lake was dotted with bodies. The loss of life at Kettle River must have been fifty, and at Moose Lake 100 or more, I lost my car and affects but think I did some good helping victims and am willing to let it go at that. I must wire for money for clothing.

"Talk about praying! I never heard people pray before as they did in Moose Lake as they crouched shivering in the cold water, while the blast of fire and smoke swept over them, the crackling of the flames mingled with the groans of victims. I'll bet a lot of people who never prayed before asked the help of One above."