The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-19
Letter from Kansas.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
AvocA, JACKSON County, !
December II, 1888. }

AvocA, JACKSON COUNTY, !
December II, 1885. J
MEssRs. EDIToRs Many, many days have
passed since your correspondent last, favored
your columns with brief from the jay
hawker'' state, hard work night and day hav-
inc prevented. But as he has again assumed
his redagogical campaign, will try and de-
vote few hours to the interest OF Maryland
readers
Exceedingly fine weather prevailed up to
the 4th inst, when things presented differ
ent aspect. The wind changed to the north
west early in the morning, and ragged with
perfect fury the entire day. On the 9Th
light snow fell, and at present the ground Is
adorned with II mantle OF white.
The corn crop, Of which there IS about an
average, is well nigh gathered. The wheat,
owing to the dry fall, is not looking as well
as it should, although there Is no complaint
of the HeSsian fly.
Like the ever-s shifting sands Of the desert,
the writer again finds himself waited to an
other locality Such is the peculiarly OF his
occupation-one that can be reformed to the
advantage of all concerned. In this, like all
other countries, there is quite contrast be-
tween different neighborhoods. While one
contains large ranches, with widely scattered
residences and immense herds OF cattle, an
other will contain small farms of quarter
section and up, with their necessary domestic
animals, and ornamented by handsome, neat
little dwellings, where the propnetors gather
about them their children as hen gathereth
her brood The above contrast the writer
finds i'll his recent change.
On the Sd inst, while Il gentle breeze was
blowing from the south, fire was started on
the prairie adjoining the east side OF the res
ervation, midway between its north and south
boundary. By the next morning 1t had KIN
died a head fire of over two miles IN width.
At that time, as stated before, the wind chang
ed to the northwest, and with the hurricane
the work Of destruction commenced. 1t was
only extinguished by coming in contact with
cultivated land, after having consumed every,
thing that lay in its way, except several
dwellings, that were well fire guarded. The
devastation was confined to about twelve
square miles. About thousand tons of hay,
with number of sheds and Il great deal OF
machinery were destroyed on the Swlnburn
rancho P. McInerney lost all his sheds,
hay and machinery, the house and granary
only being saved. Ed. Countryman, James
Seeper and a Mr.. Berry, employees on the
above named ranch, while attempting to back
fire around some buildings on the wlndward
side of barb wire fence, were caught by the
flames and seriously burned. Countryman
died the next day: Sleeper ana Derry at last
accounts were convalescing. After having
started the fire, the wind in its terrific fury
lighted the grass on the opposite side of the
break-the side they stood-which compelled
them to crawl through the fence. Before
they could do this everything was ablaze
around them Thinking they could not keep
out of the way of the fire, Countryman and
Seeper attempted to crawl back, all the time
being in the blaze. Berry ran long distance
with the very fire at his heels, and was not
burned quite as badly as the others.
On November Sth freight tram of the L.
P. Railroad, bound for Kansas City with
about twenty five carloads Of Colorado cattle,
struck a COW near ROssvile and was thrown
from the track. Upon leaving the track the
train separated in three divisions. The middle
division on leaving the track was hurled down
an embankment, and by its velocity the cars
were heaped one upon the other. None of
the train hands were hurt, while the cars of
the above named division were demolished,
and Il number Of the cattle killed or wounded.
By the assistance Of the section men and cit
liens. after delay Of from p. m. to > a. m,
the train again started for its destination.
When steer was taken from the wreck he
would turn upon his rescucrs, and they would
have to flee for refuge j. +. +.