Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-09
TIE DEMON OF THE PRAIRIE.
8erriDIs Prairie Fires dn the sioux
EaIiey-The Loss OF Life and
Property Fearful 80 COnGeEa-
plate An awful
Calamity.

Sioux City Journal: The Sioux valley
IRON M Cook as far north as Beioit, asd the
cCuntrytto the west ward, was on Saturday the
scene of prairie fires which were indescribably
appalling IN the ruin and widespread Gevas-
titon tuey wrought. Our prairie country
has heretofore been the theater OF thrilling
experiences in this hce, but the fires Of Sat.
urday seem to have been the most destructive
10 property OF any on record ii this region.
Ile wind blew a gale and hurled the flames
along IL great pillows which leaped over ali
ordinary hr5breaks, and consumed houses,
barns and stock which We're thought 10 be
safe from fiery invasion. The growth OF
grass last season was unusually heavy, AMI
having bad no rain since early last fall,
everything was dry as finder and burned with
great apidlty and hercGGGsS. W est OF Eden
the fire was very furious and destructive. So
far is l heard from, several townships wece
burned over, and IN that immediate section
more than htty farmers have lost their houses,
barns, hay, seed gram, implements, stock; IL
fact about all the personal property they pos
>sssed. .. Z Wh6eIOck, Of Eden, who was il
the city yesterday, tells Us that from his store
door ne counted tlIIteen burning houses at
one time. Many OF the men burned cut we're IN
tow that day, and seeing the fire sweeping
down almost wltu the speed OF the WIND,
started their teams II hot haste for home,
which IN some cases we're in plain sight OF
the village, but before they could get there
the flames had swooped down upon their
places and left nothing but runs where but
d few moments before had stood house, barn,
stacks, ana all the cOnVenICnces and appoint
ments Of prosperous homes. It was simply
awful, and Cur stricken . ople are almost
dazed by the terrible bOI which has fallen
upon them. Among the buildings burned
was q large Norwegian church five miles
west Of Eden. It IS reported that in this
neighborhood a child was SO badly burned
Ak,,F n cd fa.r.r hsVa g.s,1 na 4.T-
IN attempting to save 1t. was also so seriously
scOrChed that his life was despa!red OF. a
this writing details from the stricken section
are very meager, and 1t is sad to think that
when the particulars Of the dire disaster be-
gin to come IL, we shall undoubtedly have to
chronicle individual cases OF death and SUI
Eercg which will fairly make our hearts
bleed with sorrow and pity. Five miles
northwest Of BeiOlt, a Norwegian named
Nicholson, while eGdeaVorinZ 10 save ms
house, was caught in the ire and fatally
burned. He was taken to Beloit still alive,
but there was no hope of his surviving.
There IS also q report from that locality OF
two men being burned to death, but no par
ticua.s could be obtained. The fire was very
destructive In the vicinity Of Portlandvilie,
and It is SAID that not lees than twenty farm
ers lost barns, grain, stock, etc, though at
this writing It Is not known that any dwell
lnghouSes were destroyed. Andrew Hoyt,
two and half miles from Portlandville, lost
his barn, granary, farm machinery, several
head OF young cattle, and lot OF hogs. a
schooihouse il this vicinity was burned. The
fire ragged fercely at M'Cook, and did cor
siderable damage, as reported in our col
unns Sunday morning. 1t was at this point
the telegraph poles were burned and com
munIcatiOn by wire cut off. The damage,
however, was promptly repaired, and the hne
Is now working all right, Our Elk Point
CORES pOndent writes that the fire struckei in
SIX miles west OF that place on the south
side Of the railroad track, burning a granary
belonging to Eric Richardson, and destroying
seven hundred bushels of wheat-burn-
ing two hundred bushels and spelling the
balance, so that it is worthless except for feed
The fire also burned q schOolhouse with all
the contents, also much fence and hay and
an UnOccupIed house on the Reluick place.
By the same fire John D. Wood lost bis
house, barn and three cows. Z. N. Bnddle
lost his house and stabling, and a place
known as the Abbott house was also burned.
The destruction on every hand is widespread
On the same day, at White Swan, Just op-
poslte Fort Randall, prairie FIRE burned
the telegraph, express and postOtnCes, the
government stables with contents, except
stock, which was saved. The telegraph Office
lost its Instruments, and, until new ones are
supplied, the point Is cut of from Geographic
communication, Or else we would have fuller
particulars from that point, where tle fire
seems to have been very destructive. Further
intelligence from the burned section will be
awaited with sad yet eager interest. Follow
ing are particulars OF the prairie fire west OF
Eden Saturday and Sunday. The fire started
near Lincoln Center, Saturday forenoon about
eleven O'Clock, 4 northwest wind blowing
perfect gale at the time, which caused the
fire to spread over several townships, and
burned about half OF the settlers out Of house
and home Most Of those who succeeded in
saving their houses lost their stables, hay,
grain, seed and farm machinery. great
many who had thought themselves safe from
the fire were burned TO the ground. The
wind would carry the fire in the air for sew
eral hundred yards at time, and drop upon
haystacks and hay-roofs, and nothing could
be done to save them from destruction. Peo-
pie who left their homes III the morning re-
turned in the evening and found their homes |
and buildings IN ashes. One man, two boys |
and one child were 50 badly burned that they |
were al the point of death when iaSt heard |
from-all of different families. Others were |
badly siuged in trying TO quench the flames. |
The stock was saved by turning it at large. |
1t was compelled to 60 with the fire until it |
got on piowed ground where 1t stayed IN |
safety. One man lost a horse and a colt as !