Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-17
THE BURNING PRAIRIE,
Or the Test Oath.
BY fl. G. CHAPMAN.

! Illinois, was burned over one night, and an
immense amount OF damage done TO the lar
mers living in and along its edge. Numer'
Gus fences were destroyed. and crops ol corn
ready for gathering. were laid waste; wh'ie
humberiess stacks Of grain and hay, put hp
| for the winters use were set on fre ana
burned TO the ground. The havoc was worse
because Of the cooilagraIion's coming sud
denly and quite unexpectedly. as when inc
night came on, 90 fire was discernaole' ana
such burn inps were invariably perceivable
long bcfore the night set in, warning farmers
TO be prep ared But the evening oi this ce-
tastrophe. when the sun went down and dark
ness covered the prairie. no smoke arose from
the southern edge Of the plain, nor could
any lurd glare be seen resting upon the sky,
10 indicate that the grass was on hre-aEd as
il generally took the whole night Tor the
flames TO cross the prairie, all the farmers
living on the northern edge retired to Their
beds in apparent security. But In the ma
die Of the night many of them we're aroused
to find their fences on fire, their habitatons
surrounded by naines, and in some instances
even their houses 10 bright blaze. horn which
they with difficulty escaped alive. farmer
whose family was composed OF a vile and
only daughter. the later soae seventeen
wears OF age, who resided some six miles 10
the praIie had his house destroyed. while
himself and wife perished in tho ruins. The
daughter was saved by the daring energies OF
a young man named Clyde, who had discov-
cred the fire, and arrived just in tire to tear
her fOm the building ere the root Tell IN
The morning after the conhdgralion, the
Inhabitants Of the little village of Button,
situated on The edge Of the plain were sci ~
cOmmoiion By rnmors of the fire being lhe
work Of some heartiess scoundrel, who had
thus graiified his malice upon some indlyid-
ual, by injunng the whole community
These fumors at length became fixed fact;
as ABOUT ten O'Clock, a man named Or"y, a
rowing character with no oslensibe means oi
livelihood, appeared before the Squire oi The
village aud stated that he wished IA warrant
issued Tor the apprehension of David clyde,
for setting ;he prairie OE hte the previous
evening, by which so much waste Of pfopef-
" and wanton sacrifice Of life had occurred.
The warrant was issued aud placed in the
hards Of the constable for serving; and while
this official was absent in search OF Clyde,
the Young man himself came into the Squire ;
office and entered like complaint against
Gray, bul was informed that Gray had hist
appeared aud obtained a warrant Tor his ar
rest, which was ia the hands ola constable.
He seemed taken back when first informed
ofthis, but promising the Squire he would
be present at one o'clock that afternoon. Ia
undergo an examination, he took his depar-
tuIe. Word was sen, TO Gray to be present
al the appointed time; add as the case Was.
an unusual one, the room of the justice was
crowded 20 hear the statements OF ihe Two
Gray's story was short. He sworc That
having a wolf trap set some distance out 10
the prairie, he had taken up his lodgings
near by 1t the night OF the fire, and about
IL o'clock he was aroused by 'hc howls and
snarls CT wol which bad been caught 10
the trap. He arose to 60 10 it. when he
discovered a iIorseman near by who dismoun'
TED from his sieed. drew out a steel. Hint ahc
finder, from his pocket, aud striking light
thrust II 10 the dry grass, which instantly
blazed up and favored by strong southern
wind sped away towards Ihe settlements, and
in the exact direction of Mr.. Fishers house
That the hoTseman whom he recognized a
Nh. Ciyde, then mounted his horse and rode
away.
This statement had been listened to viii
brearhlcss attention, and as Gray had deli'
cred It apparently in COOL truthful manner
thad considerable weigh, upon the audience
: But il produced no effect upon David Clyde
The features Of the young man were as caln
as ever, and his counIenance underwent M
~ change during the recital of Gray.
TX when the latter was dOce he arose to hi
fter. and exclaimed:
81 NV statement of the facts as they occurre
tx on she evening of that most deplorable M
20 will be much more minute than that OF m
VI accuser, aud will occupy mpte time; Out
., hope not only the Justice but the audienc
III also will listen patiently to what have u
ie say, /, is wellkuOwn 10 many here mat
50 have brother residing at Walnut Grove
"a and upon the night of the fire was fetuit
u ing from visit TO him. when ABOUT
ID miles the other side Of Mr.. Fishers, as
was riding leisureiy along. | saw a man
Id shor, distance ahead OF me, kueeing, BY IN
10 road side, and apparently cndeasoting To l'g'
O; fire with steel and ,inder. started n'
na horse into gaIlop, at the same instant g''
nc ing shout, and the man sprung 20 his lee
10 but dropped burning lock of grass, as !
us did so. into the prairie. the dry hay OF who
a" vas Instantly in a blaze.
c. G., "ScoundreL' | exclaimed, in lot
III voice, as came close TO HIM; but with
OH coarse cha ha, ha," he retorted-
Don't he angry, Mr.. Clyde. for gettio
n1 ,1 mad won't stop toe fire. | guess old Fis
'iit er'n catch IL 10 night, aud his .ughly daug'
% ter, too"
"Villain! you shall answer for this" z
plled as turned my s,ced and spuSed hi
after the rolling flames, which were sweep
away before strong souh wind ana r"'''r
al on in the direction Of Fishers hodse.
NV vain | urged my horse 10 his utmost spec
H. for the cracking fire sped Ear ahead OF ~
~, aud when mile and half distant.
Ia held the lurid blaze leap the fence IKE
ers stag hound aud 60 carcering on towards !.
az house. Almost maddened at the sight
MI Coaded my gallant horse, who bounded i
Tho ward like the wind, bnt when silli ha'
tbo niIe from The builang,I saw bright she
an Of fame atise from the roof, and became
oe ware that the house was on Gre. The D,
bur. ping prairie had made It as light as day
to MY Dyes TAN ia VAIN nouud the premises
our discover a siugc person. aud The fear
our tho't dashed instantly through my mad u
ved the family were asleep ia the house
the time reached the door in front OF
ma manslou, the roof was 10 oue lurid glare,
- teaninc from nv etesd, ! let him 90,