Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-10-10
THE BURNING PRAIRIE,
Or the Test Oath.

411E . oONN4NS 1Nka1N1E,
Or the Test Oath.
Late in the Fall of 1880, Grand Prairie,
in Illinois, was burned over one night, and
an immense amount of damage done TO
the farmers living in and along its edge
Numerous fences were destroy ed, and crops
of corn, ready for the gathering, were laid
waste; while numberlcsS stacks OF grain and
hay, put up for the winters use. were set
on fire, and bnrrt to the ground. The
havoc was worse because OF the conllagra-
tons coming suddenly and quite uneXpcc,-
ediS. as when the night came on no fire
was discernble, and such burnings were
invariably perceiyable long before night set
in, warning the farmers to be prepared
l'ut the evening OF this catastrophe, when
the sun went down aud darkness covered
the prairie, no smoke arose from the south
crn edge OF The plain, nor could any Imid
glare be seen resting upon the sky. to indi.
cate the grass was on fire and rs it gener-
ally took Il whole i5ht for the flames to
cross the prairie, all the farmers living ON
the northern edge retired to their beds in
apparent security. Bat in the middle of
the nigh. many Of them were aroused to
find their fences on Ere, their hahilalionS
surrounded by flames, and in some in
stances, even the houses in "A bright blaze.
from which they with difficulty escaped
alive. A farmer, whose family was com
posed OF wife and only daughter, the lat
ter somc seventeen years of age, who re-
sided sof:tc six miles ia the prairie. had his
house destroyed, while himself and wife
pcrished in the ruins. The daughter was
saved by the daring energies OF Young
man named Clyde, who had discovered the
fire, and arri, ed jus; IN time to tear her
from the building ere the root fell in.
The morning after the connagraron, the
inhabitants Of the little village Of B ulllon,
situated on the edge Of the lain. were set
in commOiion by runners OF the fire being
the work of some hearilcSS scuunlrcI, who
had lhu> graliiici hi, malice on some indi-
vidual by njuring the whole community
These rumurS at length became a fixed fact:
a., about 10 O'Clock, a man named Gray,
n rowing character, with no ostcuIibic
means OF livelihood, appeared before the
Squire of the village, and stated that he
wished a warrant issued for the apprchen-
sion Of David Clyde, for setting the prairie
on fire the previous evening, by which so
mnch waste OF property, and wanton Sacri-
fee OF lives had occurred.
The warrant was issued, and placed in
the hands of the constable for serving; and
while this official was absent in search of
Clyde. the Young man himself came into
the Squirc's office, and entered a like com.
paint against Gray, but was informed that
Gray had first appeared, and obtained a
warran, Tor his arrest, which was in the
hands of tie constable.
He seemed taken aback when he was
first informed OF this, but promising the
Squire he would be present AT ! O'Clock
that afternoon, he departed. Word was
sent to Gray to be present at the appoint
ed times and as the case was an unusual
one, the room of the justice was crowded
to hear the statements oi the two.
Gray's story was short lie Sworc that,
having II volt ,rap set some distance out
in the prairie, he had taken up his lodgings
near by it the night OF the fire, and about
twelve O'Clock nc was aroused by the
howls and snarl, of Il wolf, which had been
caught in Il trap. lie arose to.g" 10 it,
when he discovered horSeman near by,
whu dismountcd from his Stccd, drew ont
Il STEEL flint and Under from his pocket, and
striking light, thrust it in the dry grass,
which instantly blazcd up, and favored by
II strong southern wind, sped away towards
the settlement, and in the exact direction
of Mr. Fishers house, That the horseman
whom he recognised as Mr., Clyde, then
mounted his horse and rode away.
This statement had been listened to with
breaihless attention, and as Gray had de-
!iveled it apparently in cool and truthful
manner, it had considerable weight upon
the audience. But it produced no effect
upon David Clyde. The features oI the
young man were Us calm as ever ard his
counIcnance underwent no change during
the recital of Gray. When the latter was
done, he arose to his feet, and exclaimed:
"My statement Of the facts rs they oc-
Cured upon the evening Of 'ho' most de