Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-10-01
rieties. Cattle, horses, sheep and swine
are not yet ell in, but the showing is
good. The same may be said OF imple-
ments and machinery.
NORTHERN FIRES.
Report Of Man who has lnyestigat-
ed the Matter.
st Paul Pioneer Press.

ed the Matter.
ct Paul Pioneer Press.
D. K. Ford, general claim agent OF the
Northern Pacific, returned TO st. Paul
yesterday from trip over the Dakota
and Missouri divisions of his road. The
object of the trip was an investigation
as to the damage and extent of the prairie
fires which for the past few weeks have
been devastating the country adjacent
to these portions of the road. Mr.. Ford
says the reports Of the fires have been
greatly exaggerated. They are as exten-
sive as reported, but the loss and dam
by the newspaper correspondents. The
fires extend from q point few miles
west of the big bonanza farms of east
Dakota to point Just east OF the cattle
ranges OF Montana. In the burnt DIS
trict there is but little wheat, and only
q few cattle. So far as heard from, no
cattle have been lost, but some wheat
has been burned. The damage to the
wheat, Mr.. Ford saye, will not
exceed $4,000, if it reaches those fig
ures. There are q number of fires each
extending for mile or more.
Between them wheat is growing, and is
protected by the farmers putting ont
tire-breake. So far this has been sue
cessful in checking the flames, but I'M
less the weather changes very soon the
whole country between the James and
Missouri rivers will be one barren waste.
So far as Mr.. Ford's Investigations ex-
tend only two of the many different fires
are attributed to the railroad company,
and the damages done by these will not
foot up $500. The telegraphic report
from Mandan that fire started by the
railroad company had destroyed copsid-
erable property is without foundation.
Superintendent Green, of the Missouri
division, started fire in the vicinity of
the sixth crossing of the Heart. This
was done to protect the bridge at that
point. Railroad employees watched the
fire until it had accomplished the pur-
pose for which it was started, and then
queDched it.
Mr.. Ford, among other things, learned
that the first fire originated at point
ninety miles south of Belfield. It was
started by Indians who wanted to cut
Canada. These buffalo escaped from
the common herd and wandered south
into Montana. The Indians thought by
burning the grass between the two
herds the buffalo would remain in Mon
tana. The fire, though very extensive,
has caused no damage other than burn
ing the prairie grass. The fire which
| caused the Mandan scare originated at
New Salem. A prominent settler there
started blaze to protect himself. 1t
got beyond his control and rapidly
spread IN the direction of Mandan.
Luckily it neared that point during the
day, and the whole town turned ont and
successfully fought it Several
small farms between Mandan and
New Salem were literally wiped
out. On the jamestown & Northern
branch fires extend from jamestown to
within few miles of Minnewaukan.
These originated at point thirty or
forty miles northwest of the road. Be-
tween PIngree and Buchanan, on this
branch, several small farmers lost pretty
much everything they had. The wind
at the time these fires we're first discov-
cred was blowing in southeasterly di-
rectioa. This carried the flames toward
the railroad track. Mr.. Ford says no one
can estimate the amount of damage.
The fires cover q territory probably 200
miles east and west and $50 miles north
and south. From what Mr..
Ford could learn there seems
| to be disposition to at
tribute all these fires to the railroad COM
paniee, the farmers and settlers knowing
that this is their only chance to secure
damages for loss sustained. The whole
country through Dakota and Montana
is as dry as powder horn, and unless
the weather changes Immediately there
is no telling what the damage will ulti.
mately amount to. This section of
country has been without rain for weeks.
The frost of August took all the sap out
of the grass and st1bbles, and left them
for the sun to make tinder Of