Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-07

l. NcSoSs no0seAWere IN great danger ~
that time W. have heard nothing from
there later than the information brought by
the stage.
THE BOHEMIAN SETTLEMENT.
Our general information from Ziskov and
Tabor and neighborhoods ia that the fire
swept through those settlements, creating
great loss. The wind was high and ordina-
~ fire breaks were no protection. We ex-
pect when the details come in that numer-
Gus individual losses will be reported
NEAR MIDTOWN.
MI. Woolley arrived this forenoon from
Milltown. He says that after leaving that
place yesterday a fire came in behind him
and swept through the Russian settlement
to the Jim river. As he was this side Of
the fire he is unable to give any information
regarding damage done.
UP THE JIM.
From Gen. Beadle, who has Just returned
from the dirt lodge region. $50 miles up Da-
kota river, W learn that very extensive
prairie fires have swept over . large portion
of country down as far Is Firesteel, on the
west side Of the river. They we're set out
BY q part of the dirt lodge Indians and 9th
ers travelling between that point and Fort
Thompson. They began generally as far
north As township l1s, range "a. and on a
line southwest from there, some City miles
north Of the Washington hills. Part of
them burned several days, and spread in
different directions, until Wednesday last,
when they started before the west and north
west winds, and came down the west side of
Dakota river with great fury. The prairies
are covered with a heavy growth Of grass
and the marshes and ravines are all as dry
as powder. The frost killed the grass up
that way nearly four weeks ago, snd the dry
winds had made everything ready for the
grand demonstration. Wednesday evening
the fires got south and ahead of Gen. Bea-
die and L. A. Carney, who was with him,
and on Thursday their ride was an exciting
n for over fly miles among
prairie fires, clear down to Belchers. The
fire came in to the river upon successive
lines, as aided by ravines or delayed by
ridges. Through that region the Dakota
river has little timber upon it, and the bot
toms are vast meadows with an o
growth Of grass, reeds and weeds. They
were alternately upon burned and unburned
prairie, crossing the lateral lines of fire as
favorable ground offered advantage, filling
the day with risks aud diversions. Thurs.
day afternoon, travelling upon an unburned
"trip they came close to the line of fire
which extended miles northwest and south.
east, and was edgiDg slowly northeastward.
When they were within twenty rods Of this
line, the wind suddenly increased. and dhih-
ed some twenty degrees towards the east and
from the west, sweeping the flames directly
upon them. What was five minutes before
harmless fire to be crossed with ordinary
was now a mas, Of continuous flame
ten or fifteen feet high and sometimes
feet across. 1t roared like 1 half
lozen passenger trains at full speed. They
prang from the wagon and fired the grass
'ut it made very allow progress and had not
'urned a place ten feet square when . whirl-
lind came down the line with . high gale.
Their only chance wa fight and they
prang into the wagon and whipped up their
Texas horses for . race northward to some
higher stony ground. The ponies under.
TODD that game and went readily. 1t was
done in less time than the telling. The
cry cause Of danger was at-last the means
The whirlwind which was 20 rods
vide passed by. It had changed all the ad-
acent currents Of wind. This had dead
med the wind ahead and prevented the
ire from spreading, and now that it had
'assed it gave . chance to cross in its rear
'pon ground where the grass was thin and
ten minutes from the first apprehen.
ion Of danger they we're among the smoking
or burned ground. The whirlwind
over the bluff and down the river bot
filling it with fire in places above the
evel Of the bluffs, and sending up a column
# black smoke which must have been over
half mile high. Gen. Beadle's eyes suf-
erred pretty seriously and are yet inAamed
rom the rough experience.
Thence during the day they followed up
= burned ground close upon the hr..
daring . lull in the wind they
would overtaks It and asain . ffesh gale
md cyclone would quickly carry two or
hrss miles ahead Of them. Toward
unset the wind fell snd they crowded the
he Gre axaa and. having 4 good tran, pusA.
d rapidly On to:.Belcher's BY Sp. m. ss which
inc - Are vas Eve or six milse keAind.