Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-02
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yANkToN DAKOTA
Wednssday Evening, Apra 2, 1sDsI
THE oALAm1TY on THE SIOUX.

THDCALAHfITY ON THE SIOUX.
Accounts from the fire devastated region
Of the Big Sioux valley are of such . posi-
tive nature ~ 70 leave no doubt that . terri.
BE calamity has fallen upon the people Of
that portion Of Dakota. Prairie Ores hsve
swept through althickiy settled community
and 10 their course have LETT nothing but
heaps Of sshes and blsckened ruins 70 mark
the sites Of prosperous homes. Families
which but . few days ego ffvsd 10 cosnfor,.
able competence and with every assurance
that their toils had brought within their
roach = future Of prosperity. In ono dread
hour ore bereit of oil their earthly posses
sions and left houseless, homeless and dee.
titute and without the means to again begin
the struggle for maintenance.
Tho scene o fthe Grestest destruction lies
along the eastern half Of Lincoln county,
In the region bordering upon the Big Sioux
river. This 10 . comparatively old settled
spot, occupied some years ago by q poor bu,
industrious clsss o people, who struggled
through oil the vicissi,odes of frontier life,
had conquered the multitude Of dinculties
which beset the settler who rears bis cabin in
the undeveloped west, and were just begin
Ing to accumulate about them the hard
earned fruits OF toilsome esson The fire
came upon them and the smiling valley is q
waste of desolston.
Last years's growth Of grass was
thick and rank and following the
season of luxurisnt growth came . sea
SON of drouth. succeeded BY q series of gales
almost without parallel 10 the history OF
this portion OF Dakota. A little fire kindled,
doubtless unsuspectingly. by ZONE thought.
less person, in the midst of this vast stretch
Of combust.ble material. has been caught up
By the winds and, finding On abundance Of
fuel In the dried grasses of the prairie,
has speedily eone beyond the control
Of human efforts and descended upor
the settlements with resistless fury
The cenes Of few years ego
when the pine woods Of Michigan and
Wisconsin we're devastated by flames which
moveN ~ OuiuAuk ClOuu0 III Tue 0E SuS
enveloped oil objects in instantaneous com
bustlon. seem 70 have been repeated in th,
terrible experiences Of the victims Of thi
prairie conAsgration. There VA no tim,
to battle against the approaching danger no
to attempt the rescue Of property. LII,
was allthat could Be saved and that only BY
hasty fight.
We are sure that the earnest eympathiel
Of the public will 60 out to these unforsu.
nate people and that everything which car
be lone to allay their distress and provide
for their immediate want, will be forthcom.
ing. We do not know that there is any oc.
casion for tie exercise of charity in their be.
hall, but it is not improbable that in many
cases timely aid will prevent suffering. L
is a duty to ut least institute enquiries and
ascertain their condition and if want follows
upon disaster to meet it by prompt measures
of relief. There are many noble men and
women in our midst who are ever ready
to heed the cry of distress. and to them We
make the suggestionsthat here may be an
opportunity for the exercise Of the choice
prerogative Of full 6edged christian man.
hood and vomanhood.