Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-07-31
THE FIRE BACK. FIRED"
HOW THE PEOPLE OF SHOSHONE
SAVED THEIR TOWN.
They Lighted . COuuter-Fire that
Worked Well-A Sheet Of Flame 100
Miles Long, which Travelled Faster
than q Horse Could Run-Etc.

tu8u u nOTNC NVUuV eve |
Specials to the Wood RIVER T,nEs.l Il
SHosHoNE, July 3l-10 a. IN.
About noon yesterday the people of
Shoshone became seriously alarmed,
and when, an hour later, the flames
burst over the brow of the big butte,
about three or four miles southeast of
town, the alarm degenerated into
semi-panic, and many believed the
town doomed.
The people living on the outskirts
began picking up their movables and
moving them to the railroad yard, in
the center of the town, intending to
retrea. to the other side of Wood
River as soon as the fire got little
nearer. But there were some cool
heads in town, belonging to men who
have had years and years of expert
ence in fighting off prairie fires, and
these at once set about applying the
most radical remedy for the emer-
gency known to plainsmen. They
determined to try to start a
6 back fire." They were some
what doubtful Of its success, as the
slight breeze stirring was against
them, and they feared that second
fire might increase the wind to gale,
and make matters worse. But as it
was the best to be done under the cir
cumstances, everybody agreed to the
proposition. A supply of water was
got handy in case of need, and small
piles of brush were gathered here and
there, and set ON fire. Those that did
not burn very readily were coaxed to
the scratch by coal oil, the wind either
changed around or veered sufficiently
to fan the flames, and by 5 O'Clock
tine back fire had gained such head
way that the town was believed safe.
Nearly every able-bodied person in
town was out carrying water, brush,
ETC., and feeding the fire, but Billy
Wells, the railroad yardnaster, who
directed operations; A. S. Scnter, the
Insurance agent; G. X. McCrum, the
druggist; Mr.. Schriver, from Nc
Pieces, w. H. Guslcr, and the EN-
ployes of G. w. Collins & Co. and Of
the Howard Sebree outfit, deserve
special mention for their interchangeable
, exertions. Billy Wells and A. S
Senter were especially noticed, as eacl
= carries an arm in sling. Mr.. Wells
had shoulder jammed between two
-. passenger coaches about a month ag'
and would have left for Salt LAX
, Monday but for the fire. Mr.. Sente
was thrown out of buggy near tn
Minnie Moore mine about two week
II ago.
~ SHEET OF FLAME 100 MILES LONG
- The entire country for 40 or 8
miles each side of Shoshone seems t
be in flames, and the fire seems to b
70 gaining in all directions. The raplc
~ ity with which it spreads under
)" high wind is wonderful. About moo
. Yesterday there was but a mere breez
= with squirt or two. Yet the fiji
travelled faster than horse could ru
~ and in less than one hour had covere
:" - rs or 50 miles. The wind blown
to the east, saved the town. 1t W
then that the fire cnveloped the Ro
hers Roost and tho big butte. Il
W. flames would raise in the air about
H. feet, break in big blocks, sail alo1
with the wind, and land 100 to 3
70 feet ahead. Its speed is not surpr
ing with such gigantic leaps.
ON WATCH ALL NIGHT.
g., AS the weary Shoshonites, worn c
,st with exertion and anxiety, gradua
no. retired, last evening, arrangeme'
were made to leave a strong guard
watch all night. MANY volunteer
. and spent the night walking abo
smoking, telling stories, and maxi
brief calls at the saloons, where eve
eet thing was free as air for the watcht
tn. Several went up to the mach
Id shops to sec the fire from the rool
those buildings. The atmosph
was filed with black smoke t
to nearly stiaed them, but. they CO
,est see one vast mass of fanes extend
ssh easterly and westerly for probably
Wv: ."e miles, and travelling with astonish
rapi'lity. The line of this fire
,. about three miles from Shoshe