Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-11-01
by no means dangerous. But soon,

by no means dangerous. But soon
indeed, like q freshly-awakened
giant, angry at the interruption o1
his rest, the wind rose in its might
and hurled its hot and powerful
blasts over the mighty forests
urging the fierce fires to swifter
fiercer and more extended devasta.
ton. At night the citizens oil
Peshtigo beheld the northern sky
blooded with tho glare of an ap.
preaching hell of flame; the high
breeze blowing dashed into their
faces occasional puffs of hot air;-
and the smoke and smell hung
heavy over the valley. Reports Of
the terrible work Of the fire demon
in the country above the town be.
gan to come in, brought by pale
and excited fngitives. The flames
were spreading thsough the dry for.
est before a momcntarily increasing
gale, outstripping the fleetest-footed
man in their course, and many
lives had already Seen sacrificed to
their fury.
streets-or more properly, the street
was crowded with people, some
greatly excited; others cool and
watchtul, and all more or less anx-
ious All eyes were turned toward
the distant fire, and in all hearts the
question was constantly repeated,
SIS our town in danger?"
"I hardly think we need fear that
fire. said John Graham to the
group that had gathered near his
mill. "This gale cannot last long
at the rate it is blowing, and the
flames are yet many. miles away
We are as safe here as anywhere, !
believe" ~
"But the woods are so very dry
and the wind so strong, that the
fire will travel much swifter than
we Think" said one Of the men,
"We had better be prepared for the
worst"
"That's So" remarked an old
woodman. "You don't want to de.
pend on this ere wind coolin' down
for to save your bacon. Them ere
fires may be twentymile away, now,
but afore you know it therc'll be
a sizzlin hereabouts eff you don't
dust out O. this, l reckon. I've seed
them flames run footraces afore to.
day"
"Psh!" exclaimed Captain Gra
ham with the usual snecr. cam
not familiar with forest fires, also
l am in no alarm concerning this
onc-and l think I have as much to
lose as any of you. Let alone this
mill and my houses, l have a
daughter whom I would be likely to
miss if the fire travelled as swiftly
as Tom Ogden, there represents. ~
She being now up in the Sugar
Bush, at friends, the flames would
catch her there, long before help
could reach her. l say there is nc
danger, in my opinion, if a strict
watch is maintained"
There was one calm face in tha,
group which blanched to deadly
white as the lumber dealer announ
ced the whereabouts of his child
The owner Of that face suddenly
but gently pulled the arm of Ton
Ogden, the woodman, and the two
withdrew from the little crowd.
"Tom, you are we!l-posted in this
matter-is there real cause for ap
prehension? Will the fire reach oul
town."
"H aciN, Doctor Dixon, as sur,
as there's a hair on my head! I've
had an experience O. thirty yca1
hereabouts, and all the signs tel
me that nothin' will save Pashtige
but a short stop in this ere gale
And it amt agoin' ter stop by :
long chalk"
"Heavens! And Graham's daught
er-she cannot be aware of the fnl
extent of her peril"
"Wall, l dunno. She may ant
she may not. The Bush is settled
with class Of people as know bu
little bout 4 forest fire like this ere
and unless some old head is ther,
to warn 'cm, it's morn likely tn,
hull danger isn't 'preciated-eithe
by the folks or the gal. incline t
that idea"
"She must be warned, Tom-ant
the settlers, also," exclaimed Dixol
anxiously.
"Wall, I reckon common sensc'l
tell 'em when to leave, Doc. Th'
fire air easy to see"
"True. But remember, Tom, th'
fearful force of this wind-thcy ma,
not discover the real danger unit
it will be too late to escape from tn,
swift-running fire."
"Perhaps not, Doc. IF they dom
larn when to get up and dust will
a large fire burning so close, and :
powerful breeze helping it along
why, darn it they will share jus
the fate as is going to fall on thi.
ere town-and all through short
sightedness."
"Tom, am going to the Bush
instantlyw
"What for?"
"Tq 70 warn the people, and to res
cue Helen Graham"
"You can't do it, Doc"
"And why not2,,
"Wall, to be plain, thar won't b.
much of the Bush, or it's people
left by the time you get there, if
am any Judge"
"What! The fire so near?''
"You're right. And atore yo,
can reach the houses, the hame
will lay you out. Tell you what
Doc, this state o. things is gettins
awful, and Tom Ogden proposes t
migrate from hercabouts eff ever,
one else remains behind! That
what the matterv
"Oh, hcavcns!- and Helen!
mustm'eiW u make an attempt to reacl
her, Toni"
s:noc. pixon, you're crazy! Fee
this sitting air-look at that smoke
You can't do it, l."
Tho old backwoods did moi
complete tn sentence, however, 70,