Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-03-12
FIRE AND SMOKE.
The City Narrowly EscaPcs
Destruction from the
frey Flames.

To day will long be remembered by
the people of Elk Point as n Of extreme
excitement. EARLY this morning nres
were discovered on the p~rairies north and
west of the city, but until about noon
very little danger was anticipated by
most Of our citizens. Shortly after din
ner, however, the flames were discovered
to be nearing the city from the north
People began to 60 to the scene OF the
fire, and these returning reported danger.
At about two o'clock the cry rang along
the streets that the fire was coming Into
the city at a rapid rate along the railroad.
The rush to the scene of danger Was
maddening and exciting in the extreme.
As the crowd reached the prairie they
were met by fire, smoke and dust which
came so thick and fast that it was almost
impossible to witstand the three com
bined. The flames rushed on toward the
city causing all to feel that destruction
was positive. But the fire haulted at
the residence Of Mrs. Big.low. occupied
by Tooker, which soon Law . mouidering
mass Of ruins. The family made . ysry
narrow escape. The flames then issped
to Sheriff Bovee's stable, which soon
melted to the ground. Mr.. Bovee lost
IS bushels of oats and some stable fixtures.
The fire then C ught 10 the old log house
on the Comfy farm and burned the same
to the ground. The stable was also burn
ed, in which two calves persisted.
1t became evident to all that if the fire
got into the grass west Of the cattle yards
the city could not be saved. Every effort
wal made to keep the fire from igniting
at the point We have mentioned. The
people worked earnestly; many men
stood in the darkest and hottest places,
when smoke flame and cinder were falling
all around them. At times the fire would
break out in new and dangerous places,
and at such s.times the excitement was
intense. Men ran to and fro through the
smoke and fire, with the n great aim
in vicw-that Of saving the city. Their
labors are crowned with success, and the
workers deserve praise, not only for the
labor expended, but for the heroism
shown in facing that terrible element.
In the city among the ladies the excite
ment was intense, many of them had
most of their household goods packed
some going so far as to throw their goods
into cisterns. One woman was seen
tearing for the east part of town with a
pet dog under one arm and a bird cage
under the other.
While the majority of our citizens
at the moment of danger were fight.
ing the destroyer with the energy of
despair aided by a number Of strangers
who we've stopping in the city, aid a
large number of the farmers who came
up from the eastward as soon as they saw
the danger, numbers of "petticoat men"
were standing Oh the streets, their faces
having the appearance of men who were
awfully scared, their hands IN their peck.
cts, giving vent to such expressions RS,
"we're gone up" they cant save the
town." etc, or else were at home tearing
up carpets and Juggling furniture into the
streets and soaring the already terrified
women.
Several ladies showed themselves wor.
thy of special mention by working
earnestly to prevent the flames from
reaching their homes, and among them
Mrs. Benjamin Briggs, deserves mention
for being possessed Of courage that would
do credit to many Of our citizens who
belong to the sterusr sex.