The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-04-03
VOL. III.
PRAIRIE FIRES,
Destruction of Property and Life
Horses, Cattle and large Quan-
titles of Grain Burnt.
Two Children consumed by the Flames

The terrible fire that swept down from
the northwest, through the middle portion
of Lincoln county, last week, was unpara-
leled In its devastation of homes, live
stock, grain and the possessions of the
farmers. Those who long ago had been
attracted thither by the rich prospects of
these fertile plains and had after years of
ha1dships and failures began to see the
clouds lift from their embarrassment and
isolation, bringing their hard earned sur
roundings into the sunlight of promis.
ing future, were destined to experience
sudden and trightful change through the
uncomfortable fury Of fire. Some thought
less person applied the match and the
wind increasing sent the flames through
the grass at almost Tightening speed tall
dry and rank as the grass was, the heat be.
came nnbearable end the spread of the fire
| impossible to check, firebreaks were most.
! y useless rs the fire was known in many
instances to leap over rods of plonghing
and sweep beyond as rapidly as if no bar
rier had intercepted.
The number Of families or settlers who
were sufferers within Lincoln county as far
as heard from wvs %, but from the extent
! of country the fire passed over we should
judge that far more were injured than we
have learned.
Many have lost their all, irhomc, and
the stock and implements that their limit
ed means have enabled them to accumu,
late in the hard years that have just past,
others have felt the cold hands of death as
! 1t burrowed meath the flame that clutched
the helpless ones in its relentless grasp -
Two children Of Thomas ThOmaston are
| reported as burned to death. Peter Nelson
besides losing his house, furniture, stock
| grain, farming implements and $50 in
money was so severely burned that the
physician thinks it doubtful if he recovers
Mrs J abez Wilkinson has been Frustrated
by the excitement and apprchensions of
their destruction by the element as it ragged
furiously towards them, and several were
more OF less injured in their efforts to save
themselves and property.
The fire is supposed to have originated
about 12 miles northwest of Lincoln Cen
ter and with the wind came in south.
easterly direction varying in width from
ono to SIX miles, passing down towards
the mouth Of the Sioux river or its juno
ton with TIE Missouri, the source is being
traced and unquestionably its author will
be found, the consequences are yet to be
told as the people are about exaspcrated.
Two things should be impressed upon
the minds Of the farmers in considering
this matter.
First every builder or claim holder in
the country should Immediately upon the
erection of his residence, stables and gra
naries, plough strip entirely surround
ing his premises Of a width that would
prevent fire from reaching oyer. 1t should
be of as much consideration and ctfectual-
lv carried out by every settler as to provide
shelter for himself and animals
! Second, If people piN burn they should
under no circumstances set fire only when
calm exists, and is likely to prevail suf:
ficie2t length of time to prevent its getting
away from control and then have sufficient
number of men around to watch and pre-
vent its spread
With all the precaution that the law has
made, and that careful men Will exercise,
there is in every community some who
will disregard these monilions and to af'
ford themselves tritling benefit indtfcr.
entity, imperil the property and lives of
their neighbors. The experience of the
past week ought to prove a valuable lesson
to citizens Of the country, hard as its ap-
pllcation has been to some.
| Some of our people have been subjected
! to serious embarrassment as to immedi-
ate need by the catastrophe, and those
that need help should receive it, and
should any case become known when as
sstance is required we doubt not liberal
and prompt response will be made by the
more fortunate.
Below we give a list Of the names OF the
! sufferers and their losses: as far as we have
be en- able to procure them:
Austin Oleson lost house, clothing, fur
niture, stable, machinery, saving only
what clothes the family had On.
| P. Nelson lost house, clothing, furniture
horses, stabling and $3.50 in money.
Ole Hogge lost house and everything
but one piow.
John Richards lost stable, grain and
machinery.
Julias North, stabling, machinery and
seed grain.
Mrs. Thompson, house and furniture. 1t
was occupied by Orrin Grout, the furni
ture belonging to him.
| J. Barnhart, stables, 800 bushels Of corn.
L. Douglass, stable and farming utensils
Robt. Alexander, stable, horses, grain,
machinery, only house saved.
F. E. Besse, stables, harvester and 200
bushels of oats.
John NJ. Carpenter, 500 bushels Of fax
on Opsal farm.
O. Rcdfeld, stable, machinery, wagon
feed mill, and machinery.
John Milage, stabling, feed 1000 bushels
corn ard machinery. Insured for $500.
Robt. Hannah, house, furniture, cloth.
ing, $12 money. span horses, colt, 5 calves
wagon and machinery.