davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1873-05-21

Further Arrangements for tho Dccorn-
ttOn OF tho Soldicrs' Graves on tho
31th insts
The General Committee having charge Of tho
arrangomenta for decorating the soldiers graves
on the 90th inst. mot at the Gardner House last
evening, Gen. Macarthur In tho chair. Thero
wore about fifty mombers present, including
quito number of ladies.
Tho sub-committoo to procure Aowors, flags,
otc., reported tint thoy lad contracted for 142
boxos md 641 oratoB OF flowers, and TINT 5000
pounds Of evorgreons Ind boon donated. These,
with othcra which woro expected to be presented,
wero thought to DO sufficient to decorate all tho
gravoa roported-about 300. Lieut. Gen. Shori-
dan had kindly furnished ton garrison 1ags, and
similar number OF storm flags. and promised to
loan a stand Of regmonta1 cotora for tho atauls
In tho cemeteries. Col. Baldwin had given 800
small flags those, with what were left over last
year, will givo "markor" for every soldiers
grove. a donation Of six barrels Of evergrcons
from MrH r. Burroughs, WIS thankfully received.
Tho Committee thought it was necessary to So
etc., could be made.
:. Aftor some discussion, tho Committee was a,l-
thoiizod to secure room in some convenient
locality.
Major Woods, Marshal Of Roso Hill Cemetery,
reported that he had selected as his aids, Capt.
JameR Stewart Capt. John StevonB, Capt. John
Gregg, oapt. Louis ]. Lull, aud Surgeon II. ".
Boyd.
Col. Baldwin, Marshal Of araocland Cemetery,
reported TINT lo had made arrangements to
mark the aoldiers' graves and to erect u stand
also TINT he had appointed M hiB aids Lieut.
Col. T. A. Beatty, hiaj. Wood, Capt. Dorrickson,
Capt. Swan, Capt. I. Hamilton, Capt. &. A.
BusBo, Capt. Peter HIND, Capt. +. Dusse, Lieut..
]. n. johnson, aud Capt Norman q. Hum.
On motion, Ransom Post, G. 4. r., was au-
thorized to take charge OF the flags oto., left
after tho graves wore decorated, and preserve
them until next yoar.
It WAS decided to make o distinction bctweon
soldiers and sailors graves but tho device ia yet
to be agreed upon.
Some discussion onsuod in regard to q diacrin,-
mutton in the decorations, but as tho general do
siro soomed to be to decorate all tho cemeteries
alike, it was decided to do 80.
It WIS announced TINT the German military or
ganizations had agreed to defer their parade on
tho 25th inst. and participate in the decoration
procession.
Tho meeting then adjourned until noxt
Wednesday evening.
, 1873-05-21

Desperate Affrny Mt Il Thornton vvcd-
ding--.Ono Mum believed to no En.
tally injured.
On Sunday night Inst q Borious ARRAY took
place ut Thornton, t. Holland settlement, in this
county, which will probably result IN the death
of young mnn named Mead. Tho disgraccfu1
affair Was the finale to wedding which took
place in tho town at tho time referred
to. Tho nuptiats woro Witnessed by
o largo numhor of railway employees,
who went out from this city. Beer flowed freely
during tho progress of tho wedding, and, when
morning began to appear, thero were few sober
persons in tho party. EARLY in tho ovonng
Mead and young man nnmed Frod. Long had
disputed between Themselves regarding so1no
trivial matter. About o'clock in tho morning,
Mead, becoming onraged ut some remark made
BY Long, struck tho latter in tho faco. The
blow was returned. and then rogiyen, and, final
ly, Longs friends fell upon hIuad, mud 80
brutally bent him TINT his death is momou-
tarily expected. The fatal injury is frac-
ture Of tho skull, produced by 4 club,
which was used freely by party whose
whereabouts iB not known. Long ia employed
as Il brakosnan by the Chicago, Danvo l. Vim
comes Company, and WAS arrested by Detoctiye
Dennis Simmons at their Depot yesterday
morning, and is now in prison ut tho Central
Station. D. J. Moad,. d brother Of the injured
mnil, WAS in tho city yeHter.luy afternoon, mud
stated that his brother hno boon unconscious
o'or einoo eunslar morning. Tho affair Inn
caused much excitemont in Thornton, where
Mead iB highly regarded.
, 1873-05-21
MUST LIVE TO HANG.
Tho Eryfng-Pnn Murderer Attempts to
Commit Suicide.

Tho FryIng-Pnn Murderer Attempts to
Commit Suicide.
During the past few days Philip Brown, tho
head-contre Of the frying-pan tragedy, has
been very moody, and behaving altogether in a
manner that caused Bomo little unoasiness
among tho Jail officials, who arc ever very caro-
fu1 Of tho prisoners health, especially Of sucl,
notablea as murdererB and the higher clasa Of
Meptomaniacs. Tho cause Of his peculiar con-
duct was mystery to all the Keepers, and
tho general opinion prevailing waH TINT
he had got hold, by some means or
other, Of an overdose Of whisky, md his
eccentrcitieR wore simply the peculiar WY In
which lntoxication showed itself in his case.
Matters getting worse, howovor, and Luis eyes
rolling In way which, ovon ia a negro, was
quite startling, fellow countrymnn Of hi8 WAS
put in with him to try and unravel the myatory.
He did so. In short time he gaye hints that
ho would just as soon 60 back to his own cell
{Brown is pretty much dreaded among
bis fraternity, and On arriving there ho
banded ha Mr. a ~. Folts it,, u ylsnlcal II va! xlal
art, adroitly % purloined from Brown. ~ It turned turnod
out to contain half an ounce Of morphine, with
which, doubtless, the unfortunate nun intonded
to commit suicide, Judging BY the words ho let
fall when he found that the poison had been
taken away from him. At present Brown is
suffering considerably from nervous prostration.
which has aot In since the effects Of tie anodyne
had passed away. A close Watol, ia now kept on
him, and bis friends will find 1t hard work to
again supply him with the means of postpouing
sine die Ills trial, which is to begin at the Crimi-
nal Court tomorrow morning.
, 1873-05-21

Grnn1 Crosalng, whore clio lives. Early ycator-
t1ay morning Ills body was found III /. i,ooI Of
wntor, faco down. rn'lor tho cattlo gnart, and
n;nor Tho raiIToaa ,2 trao1f only fey foot from
mnrku Of struggle Or violence woro to bo found
OIL tho ground or on tho body. an in1uoBt ,ras
hold by Justice Horne, neting m Coroilor, after
which tlcceascd's so1l-in-law, Adam Noob, took
charge Of tile ro1natt's.
Tile Commissioners appointed to ascertain the
vnluo Of lilo old Post. .0llico sito mud building,
md tho city lot at tho corner Of Polk stroot mid
Fifth avon,lo, and to report bnHis Of oxohnngo.
have concluded tloir 1nbors, and tho report, al
Boon M It Is signed, will be forwarded to the SEQ
rotary Of tho Treasury. The Commissioners ro-
f',so to divu1go theIr conclusion, considering TINT
it ID their duty to keep IL Boorot; but 1t may DO
announced tllAt they believed, from tho oyilenco
alducod. that the poet.Of!lco lnt and building
WAS worth about aa mich as tho old Dridowoll
lot, and llaro decided to recommend TINT tho OK
cl,ango bo made on evon terms: Tho abstracts
OF titlo Of tho Government lot aro already
In tho city, md wton thoao Of tho city aro OK
amineti, tho transfer will bo made. Within two
weeks at tho farthost the city will be IN posaos-
ward tho work Of fixing up tho building for tho
public library will probably be commenced.
Tho Donrd Of Health mot yesterday afternoon.
It appears from tho report Of the Sanitary su-
porintendent that lust woek thore woro 147
doaths-8G malos aud 61 females. Tho total
Thoro weEo 10 deaths by commissions, IL by
smallpox and consumption, aud Thy bronchitis.
Tho moan temperature was "a dogroos, and tho
rainfall 15-100 Of an inch. Tho decrease in NOR
tality ia among dccelents over 20 years Of agc.
and males, Tho highest doath-rato Ia in Tho
Nineteenth Ward, aud the lowest in the Tenth.
Thirty-ono now cnscB Of smallpox and varoloid
wero reported, being nino loss than for the pro-
ceding week. For the Same time last year, forty
nino wore reported. Thoro wero thrao moro
deaths than for tho preceding week, and, for tho
first timo this year, moro than for the same time
lust year.
, 1873-05-21

principal competitor for the position .was ]. r.
Olovotand, who hau performed tho duties OF tho
Armstrong, and wnR recommended for tic MP
po'ntmont by Judgos Miller, Dillon and Nonoi,,
On account Of experience md peculiar qnaltfcn-
tcns. Dut Con. MoLnre1, WHO l1as no rracIi-
cai knowledge Of tho dutioa of n United States
Marshal, secured tho recommendation Of our
Congressman, and received tho appointment, OIL
tho ground OF partisan services, being virtual
l'ond Of tho Republican Slate Central Committee,
and principal manager If tho political machinery
OF tho party. 'Wo do not wish to condemn tho
appointment; but merely montion theso faots,
that just oatimato may DO formed OF tho Bincer-
1ty Of don. Grants often expressed determination
to Observe the rules adopted by tho Civil Service
CommEssloners, for tho appointment Of Federal
of1lcerH,
, 1873-05-21

The Khedive has eighty children.
JONES' Nevada Senator, is visiting in CYove-
land O., where le used to live.
Prof. Potors haa named tho last two p1anets
discovered by him, Antizone and Electra.
Col. Mortimer OKean, an old citizen, vol
known in Southern Illinois, died ut hls residence
in Olney fow daya since.
John E. Coppinsor, Of Alton, Ill, has been In
dloted for boing Interested in city contracts w]o
holding the of1ico Of Alderman.
y, Con-, dlles A.; Smith and Cyrus Jones, Of
Towanda, ILL.,, have purchased q splendid
"ranche " near San jose, CAL,
tor of tho aillnap, Clinton l. Springfield Rail-
roaa, ,vcio Joseph Lane, resigned.
Tho beautiful Princess Theresa, q. Olden-
burg, iltea big Grand Duke out of desire to
wed O handsome but obscure muBlc-toachcr, So
the punctiliouB Gar elevated tho muHic-teacler
to tho dignity Of Baron.
President Eliot, Of Harvard College, nflirnls
that "Thero III a fundamental, porvading differ
euco between all mon and oil women, Which or
tends to thor minds as much as to tLcr bodies. "
dict.
Mrs. Admiral Dahlgron Inst Friday gave a
lunch party at her resilcnce in Washington III
honor of Mrs. Almira Lincoln Phelps, tho we'll
known authoreBa. Mrs. Phelps is upwards Of
" years OF age, but bears her years. remarkably
vol, rs witnoHs tho faet that YLo las written d
new book within a year.
Con. Sheridan, by all tho accounts Of tho lato
army reunion at Now Haven, was shown to be
olnphatical!y "tlle soldiers pct;". for, while
Grant nas applaudod aud Sherman drow choers,
~ did eyory noitlon OF Hancock, tho enthusiast
tio spirit Of the hour was poured layiHhly oyer
"Little Phil" as not only tho daalling soldior
but gay conrado, who, NJ he said himself, had
come hero Oh bum, and did not know whero ho
should bring up"
:, On tic evening OF the 18TH int, Mr. l.. +.
started witlhis wife, on visit to lls old homie III
Massachusetts. uo was In good health and spirits
Wlen tho train wab about passing Conl'noroe
hlllH, MIR. and Mira G.. having tust retired to
the slooping-car,-lo fell out Ut tho bortA to tho
floor Of the car, doud. Apoplexy WAS tho
cAuHo Of bis death.
Here IL cheering eBtinaato Of character OF
Senator Timothy 0. Howe, which comes from
, 1873-05-21
PERSONAL.

Inn T n nfooL ~ fbs,ono3c, Z. ~ thn
GILL. uJn - " nlaeA' VI onanipa'sn' Ii Ut 'no
oalou'f'
oas' nJoom "he'ha1n' fsa'' ol Ao8Aana' ID AZ eno
'oa'anol'
8. 8. Gilbert, Esq.,, Of 6hanghae, China is at
tho Gardner.
Con. T. D. se17all, OF Washington, D. G., ia ut
the Sherman.
William MoKoyos. nIanchostor. England. IN at
the Sherman,
The Hon. N. U. johnson, OF Woodstock, ia ut
tho East sido Briggs.
l,to ~ tlof: n,t II Il i mno1e o1 ro1s no"ato' "1s'
Il "' WV oe'' A.ouoo'
,ost ,;t f a. ~ tno eas olae or1sss HOUSE
'a1' 1'sa' 1oi e'' 1'ooa7'
8. s. Merrill, ESQ.,, General Manager Milwar-
kee & St. Paul Railway, is at tho Sherman.
1aa.u,, viz n-.a,,..t =. H.. mi,
vaukoe i Msnitowoo Raiiroad, ia at the Sherman. %
,r.. n,..,-- ru,.-.,- c,... n.-,I--.,-~-
ma1 a. H. r4eme; M ano,s at @ ntasp pr; Iena1ensary
commissioner, Ii a. the "ost briggs uonHo
DR.. J. 8. q. Bennett, Of Coldwator, Mich is
1eeiHtofeo a. inc west eioo Briggs house'
D. B. Canfold, Esq.,, Philadelphia publisher
Of the American Law Register, is at tho Gard
nor,
r,n,oa IF 11ono conoro, .,an,ao. -, .,,o
Sherman.
Maven MALL, In, o.,,uz. ~, oo,oo :; n,n.
=. mayor Modl'l has 81: fotnrnedi ms once 10 eleanor
tna ,," ~ "ap " n+in s e G9rh o'er
now ploeo u nia'''ns u Il eauos l'a'sern'
ua Mr III; n. ~ narnn1t 9n o, tho poP9lar dasanor
~! Monso. WIZ sui ~ 7oL Iloo, WIZ n!s la1y IN
natdeaa nt n.1a'an'p oAoil"' i1ons Ho" 1olA' no31
oAsa1oAy'
Con. g. ". Casa, President, J. F. Do Lainio,
L. II. Myor, ]. L. L,,dlum, John D. Jeryis, Joh1,,
II. Harding, Directors Of tho Northern Pacific
uall"ay' aro a5 the sherman.
The following we're at tho Gardner yesterday
4. f. Roberts, ". s. Wallace, &. E. Garloex,
New York Dir. ]. W. Torrnco st. Paul; J. II.
Bailey, Danbury, Conn. i. II. Wilkins. Dur-
lngton, vt.
Tho fo71oyi,o ,voro a. I'm oou1, 11orso ,,,.-
+o1a' = f,a,11ar ~. s1;,vao s y fua@
XII D..o;t ~ n i,5'ran. no,r,t =; HoM- ~
Billings, Monlreal; III. Ws Doowny' Plvmo,t}
DR.. Il. ". Walca, Lanarl.
The Hon. Charles E. Gorham. General Man.
acor. G. D. GorLaln. Super;ntendont. ani tho
lion, r, Slatalor, Chiof Epgiuoer. OF tho West
Division Of tic Pittsburgh. Fort Wayno 4 CHI.
caro- Railroad. are at tho Gault HOUSE.
.m,
lhe 1oiio"ing were among tno prominent ar-
S1Vals at tho Sne1mah y9eterday: Lowell ,a ,Maaaon,
How 1ork ghar!es collns' 1levetandi Thomas
Hon Eunaelpnla ". = ntooGnouse, o na!om'
A4asb'i h4I4a1u 1ouus Auo Hl1e' Dun cEancisco.
, 1873-05-21
A GOOD SUGGESTION.

70 ths Editor q} Ths Chicago Tribune:
SIN :: Great preparations nre being made to eel
ebrate properly our forthcoming Jubilee. Allow
mo to enggest that the hundred Thousand clerks,
and others employed in the city, should DO given
= half-holiday on one Of the days, wheroon thoy
may celebrate the occasion with becoming spirit.
Il through tho medium Of your paper, you would
advocate this Idea for adoption by employers,
feel sure you would be doing more to insure tho
success Of the Jubilee, than any one thing elso
possibly could do. Yours truly, Loyalty.
Cu1cIoo. Nay %, 1878.
, 1873-05-21

u
We have 1omo ptanos that haye been rented from
three to ax months.
Also, few TINT have had the outside cases Injured
In moving.
These will bo aold at the vosy lowest prdces-from
5000 to $500.
Aspleud!d opportunity to purchase good, durablo
instrument, % evory plano will bo warranted to gtyo
satisfaction OF money refunded
Gall and Aee them at our new plnce Of bus1ness-ths
fneat ptano ndreToonls In tha tportd.
Reeds romp1o Of Musc,
Corner Dearborn aud Van Buren, streets.
, 1873-05-21

tho Brooklyn Eagle: "Mr. Howe, 4 ,senntor
WHO, lilo Conkling. oscapos tho noliglbllity Of
ai,,co tho judicial salaries wore raisod ID hardly
to DO Thought Of for tho Chief Juaticoship. 1Te
is pnro, pro1x, serenoly stupid man, who doos
not think tho Republican party does things be-
arc right bccnuso tho Republican party docs
thoni. a curious compound IF n Christian and a
grandmother, tho mention Of his nano for tho
plnco acons to gvo Reptle, not q malicious, e!o-
1nent oil comedy to the atliation."
, 1873-05-21

Humboldt Park Residence Association.
The members Of the above Association a9e hereby
notified that meeting will be held At their rooms,
Thursday, blaJ "a, ut o'clock p. n for the purpose
Of considering tho proroty Of sposng by lottery Of
81 tho unsod fos not daroaed OF In tic 10 scres Oh
Division stroo bordering Humboldt Park OH the cast
G. PROTESTING, BecrotRry.
, 1873-05-21
unlosB objections aro filed within ton days; all
sproporty In tho NlnrBhal'a hands to DO delivered

unlch8 objections Aro filed within ton dnye; all
property in tho MarBhal'a hands to DO dolivorcd
Tho casc Of Edward l.. Upton, Assignee, y.
Frcdenoda Brandt was disminsed yesterday by
Judge DEuinnlond at complatuants cost, for
want Of equity.
10y, thcir admission Of MI net Of bnnkrlcy a. 10
non-paymont Of commercial p1per, wA6 yesterday
filed, and they wore adjudlcnted bankrupts by
eonfeaafon.
bankrupt, q moeting was held in Register Hib-
bard's Office yesterday, and dividend Of por
cent waB declared.
In tho matter Of o. q. Noyos and A. r. Hous-
10y, bapkrupta, genoral meeting of tho creditors
office ot Register 4. B. Coon, at Marongo, on tho
18th OF Jnno no1t.
In Tho matter Of the United stntes Brick 1ra-
chine Company, tho attorneys wore paid s225 for
foos aud disbursements.
Oalob 9. Davis bringaa suit IN trcsraaa On THO
onsc, in tho Circuit Court, against ". Hodge mud
L. NJ. Jewcll, damages, $4,000.
Mary E.. Rand, administration estate Of Into
g. ". Rand, flea a praocipo in asaumpsit, In tho
Superior Court, against ". ". Brown damages,
In tho Criminal Court tho oaso Of D. Jamos
Loary was taken up. Prisoner WAS chargod with
forgery, conHihting Of altoring tho date Of a
e1oo 1atlementa note from ono year to one day
toroBt.
The case Of Proctor and Gamble '. Sam ".
Mcbride wan tried In the United Btntes District
Court yeBterdny. Plaintiff sued to recover
damages for and to obtain an injunction re-
Btrainng defendants from initiating their trade-
mark. Plaintiffs are Boap makers, turning out
an Articlo which thoy stylo tho " German Notified
6oep," ornamenting each cake with a starry
moon defondhnts are selling tho !" German
mark.
NEW SUITS.
TIE CInou1r oounr.-7, ,024-La1nbert b Kinke Y.
william H. smith bl for dissolution Of eopattnor-
ship, and injunction. 7,025-Appca1. 7,026-Gcorgo
D. Lincoln '. I. Sherman Hall and William J. Pope,
surviving partners Of Munro D. Sherman, deceased
70 ge9r9 a9 ,1ras q
pass on tho easo 5000. 7,oaa-Edward '. Elizabeth
Lockwood divorce on ground Of dosertson. 7,02o-
I Hobart md nichnrd Meadowcroft '. Elisha Lecd,
II. Jewell trespaes tho case s. 0oo, 7,o3l-Martha
Long '. William D. Long. Lucy, sophon L., William
L., Theodoeia r., and Richard breckenridge, anu the
other unknown heirs Of Stephon H. Long, decoaaed !;
bill.
TIE HorEn1on Counr.-f3, ,437-Peter Y. Elv1rA
6wnrtwout; divorce ground Of 1mpocnsy. Al, 438
Charles Coaha y. A. Weido; assnnret, $500. 43 430
-Thomas Wina1nill y. George Q. Knight; naaumpait,
ground Of cruelty. 43,441-atary E. Rand, adminis-
fratsx Of estate 81 the late George ". Rand '. M.
n. Brown assumpsit, 1000. 43442-gonas Coleman
ct al. y. II. L. Stewart; assunpsit, $500. 43 AS
43 ,444-Appcal. 43,445-Elizaboth Y. JOHN Uro; d.
vorce for cruelty. Aincrva '. Henry Burwel1;
divorce on ground Of drunkennese. 43,A47-1ohn B.
Smith ct a.. David snl Hugh. Henry asenmpsis,
bard assumpBit, 81 800. 439-D1nsl r. Crlly OF nj.
=. Ja1nea T. Weber ; aBsumpslt, $500.
, 1873-05-21

From Ehs 81, Paul FfoNter, Hay 18.
The appointment Of Gen 1iobort NJ bloLaron
as United States Marshal for tho District of
Minnesota, ia aanothor indication that the yaunted
ciYil.8egyice Reform will proYo doluaion. His
, 1873-05-21

Tho fremont sae began ycateEday. Tho company
was LARGE although there was tho usual animation that
always attends Dners sao4 Tho prices arc far beow
Mr. b1ake'a expectations. The sale will 10 continued
to-day.
, 1873-05-21

PRESCRIPTION FREE

as,d tho Wholo train Of gloomy rnat Isn ot umn-
~, Energy, ko Any druxKi.t tho Ingredients Adj
lre4s Dls. HILTON i co., Cincinnati, 0hlu*
Litchfield enquirer., 1873-06-26
THE LEGISLATURE.

SenGte.-On Thursday of last week. resolutions &c. passed releasing John Sy. denham from State Prison, amending city charter of Bridgeport, increasing stock of the New Britain Turner's society.-The dsufy bill was discussed at great length. It fixes the legal rate of interest at 7 per cent and allows a provision in contract requiring borrower to pay taxes. Mr.. Tenny opposed the bill. He thought the present plan ought to have a fair trial. Mir, Stoughton wished to return to the old rate of 6 per cent. MT. Smith, argued against the bill. He thought, also, there had been no fair trial of the existing sys- tenn. MT. Wheeler favored the bill, thought the absence of a usurys law had worked injury. Various amendments of the bill were rejected but no vote was reached on the whole bill. .--The resolu- ton driving fon-evangelicals out of the Meriden '. M c. A. came up and Mir. Hart said that at first the committee fa- vored the resolution but on full hearing found that the measure was simply a re- turn to an illiberal policy abandoned last year. They therefore reported adversely. Mir. Elmer sshoped senators would put their feet upon such narrowness," Reso- lution reflected. The election of judges was postponed till Wednesday. x
 On Wednesday bill repealing the act of 1T allowing Selectmen to discontinue highways laid out by courts was passed. A bill was reported for State tax. Mr. Wheeler stated that the debt would be extinguished in seven years at present rate of taxation and favored one mill
Litchfield enquirer., 1873-06-26
P0STAGE!

By the new law which goes into effect July list. our county subscribers will lose the exemp- ton from postage hitherto grant ed them. We shall relieve all subscribers, however, rot Jess hGa hrec mOahs in adUcnce, by prepayment of their postage at this office.
Litchfield enquirer., 1873-06-26
New prasson.

ABeeolid match game sif base ball be- tween the New Preston-now Modoc- and Upson Seminary clubs was played on New Preston Hill, Saturday afternoon, 21st inst, and resulted in victory for the Upson Seminary nine by. the following score:
Litchfield enquirer., 1873-06-26
THE JUDICIAL .cAucus

On Wednesday of last week both par ties in the legislature held caucuses for nomination of judges. The republicans nominated Judge Carpenter for the Sn- preme bench and Amos s. Treat of Wood bridge for the Superior The democratic caucus was very full one and the ballot ing for two judges of the Superior court. The first ballots resulted in the nomina- ton of Hon. Roland Hitchcock, of Win sted. now Judge of the District court of this county, on the second ballot, as fol- lows:
Litchfield enquirer., 1873-06-26

original abolitionist" died at New York, last week. < The South is suffering from excessive rains
 New civil service rules have been is- sued.
 Serious fires have occurred in many parts of the country