Big Burn

References to the Kansas City Commercial Company are sparse throughout historical records. This mining company operated in the Big Flat. The notes found indicate the Kansas City Commercial Company was actively mining the Big Flat until their dredge operations were consumed by the 1910 firestorm. No references can be found of their operations after that date.

The fire came over the mountains from Idaho and into Cedar Creek basin, the paper reported. It continued: "The fire is coming down Cedar gulch and is reinforced by a huge blaze from Oregon gulch. "The Cedar... fire has already destroyed the Amador mining property and the Kansas City Commercial company's dredging plant with the exception of the dredge itself. Two charred bodies were found on the summit by fire fighters returning to Iron Mountain from Oregon gulch. "If a heavy wind should arise in the direction of Iron Mountain, the fire from Cedar... may become... bad... It has reduced the Amador mine to a smoldering heap and consumed... the Big Flat Mining company's plant in Oregon gulch..."

W.S. Clifford and Joe Shinnick had passed through the fiery Cedar area and shared their experiences with the newspaper: "They were members of a pack outfit which was composed of eight men and 27 horses. They went through Oregon gulch on their way into Idaho and at the summit met a courier who warned them back.

"The fires came quickly. Before the party could get out, the horses had been lost in the fire and the two boys cut off from their comrades. They don't know what became of the six men who were with them. Clifford and Shinnick got out through Oregon gulch into Cedar. There they stayed at the Kansas City Commercial company plant until they were routed out to help fight fire there.

"When the fire had passed, they came down the creek to Iron Mountain..."

In another article about the Cedar fire, the paper noted that "... the Amador and Kansas City companies used electric speeders (on the Amador track) as an avenue for escape... 

Daily Idaho Press August 25, 1910

LOSES BIG STRING OF PACK HORSES

MISSOULA, Aug. 25, -- Two charred bodies lying on the summit of Cedar gulch give the best indication of the ferocity of the flames that are devastating the country in the famous old placer district. The cessation of the wind has given a breathing spell and it is thought that it can be saved if the wind should come up again.

The Amador mine is located at the head of Cedar gulch, which has its ending two miles east of Iron Mountain. Although the flames have made this erstwhile mining camp a smoldering heap of ashes, still no lives have been lost there. The Kansas City Commercial Company’s dredge, located farther north in the gulch has not fared so well. A reliable report was received at Iron Mountain yesterday to the effect that four men had been smothered to death at that place. Just how they met their untimely death could not be ascertained yesterday.

In Oregon Gulch.

These horrors, however, cannot compare with the terrors to be found in Oregon Gulch, which leads into the St. Joe country and has its mouth in Cedar Gulch. Two charred bodies on the summit give shadowy comprehension of the rapacity of the flames. Clayton McBride, an employee of the Big Flat Mining Company, which is located in Oregon Gulch, made his way into Iron Mountain and reports that one man was smothered there and that he had very grave fear for the safety of others. The Big Flat Mining Company's buildings are wiped out and the country is a mass of flames.

Rangers Missing.

It is highly probable that Joe Sadler and Charley Buckhouse have met a tragic fate in the roaring furnace in what was formerly Oregon gulch. These two men arrived at the summit with a pack train of 30 horses. At this point they met McBride, who had made his way from the Big Flat Mining Company’s property. He pleaded with them in an endeavor to dissuade them from an attempt at passage, but they replied that two men and a woman had gone into the Clearwater country the day before and that they must be rescued. Baxter is thought to be the name of the people who went into the Clearwater where they have a claim on Sherlock creek. That their pack train is doomed is certain, but there may be a slight chance that the men saved their lives through Sadler's intimate knowledge of the forests and their ways. Joe Sadler is considered to be the best guide in the Ovando country and will be able to get out if it is any way possible. Charley Buckhouse resides south of Missoula at the Buckhouse Bridge. When these two left McBride, they said that they would try to reach Olson's or Utz's camp.

Joe Gareau and William LaCombe escaped from death by a small margin and arrived in Iron Mountain yesterday with four horses remaining of a total of 50 which they were packing into the Clearwater.

The people living up Cedar gulch were awakened Sunday night, first by the electric speeders which the Amador and Kansas City companies used as an avenue for escape and then by the men, who were fleeing on foot from the pursuit of the flames. The women have all been removed. Much property had been cached in tunnels and root cellars.