Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-11
A BLAZE Ar GRAND FORKS.

BLAZE AT GRAND FORKS.
On the evening of December % smoke
was discovered issuing from the rear of
Richmond's furniture depot in the north
end of the Syndicate block. Grand Forks.
An attempt was first made to confne the
fire to the basement where it originated.
but after an hours hard lighting. realizing
the utter impossibility OF saving the stock
of furniture rs the flames burst through
the door. all efforts were directed towards
keeping Ne fire from the rest of the block.
The fire corps fought nobly and by II
O'Clock the fire was under control. From
the furniture store the flames ate
their way into the clothing store Of A.
Appel d Co.. and his stock soon became
food for the flames. Supt. Bovcraft, of
the gas works. was the hero of the hour.
With two streams of water playing around
he bravely entered the blazing basement
and turned off the gas. thereby probably
saving a terrific explosion. The losses are
summed up as follows:
Ed Richmond, furniture, $4,000; in
sured for $4,000. A. Appel & Co., cloth
ing, SOS, 600; insurance. $4,000. Partial
loss on annex to the Syndicate block,
which cost 100000, $4,000. Loss to
offices on second floor, $4,000.
THE RAILROAD BEATEN.
Judge Reese delivered the celebrated
Northern Pacific tax case decision at
jamestown December 81. The particular
cases on which decisions were made are
the suits of the railway company against
the treasurer of Foster and Lawrence
countless in Dakota, for perpetual in
junction against the sale of railroad lands
for the taxes of 1887. The cases also de-
eide about thirty other suits of the same
character brought by the Northern Pacific
company restraining the sale of their lands
in both the indemnity belt and the orig
inal land grant. The cases along the line
of the road in Dakota are many and the
amount in value is upwards of 100000.
The decision is against the railroad COM
ever, it gives the plaintiff ten days to
amend the complaints, but it is probable
the case will 60 to the supreme court on
the pleadings as they stand. The coun-
ties claim the right to tax the lands in ad-
dition to the pro rata they receive under
the gross. earnings law of the territory.
WHEN IS WHEAT AssEssAB1E?
Testimony was taken Monday before
Judge Reese at jamestown in case of gen.
.eral territorial interest. The statutes
provide that merchants stocks and mer-
ehandise are assessable May 1, while all
other property is assessable April l. The
The elevator companies of the territory,
claiming to be merchants, buying and
selling for profit, have always maintained
that their wheat in store May should be
the basis of their assessment, but they
have systematically run their wheet out of
the territory and reduced stock to the min
imum on that date. In LaMoure county,
April l the Northern Dakota Elevator
company had 100,0 900 bushels of grain in
store. May 1, 5000 bushels. The differ
ence in the amount CT tax which the coun-
ty would receive if the wheat in store on
the former date were made the basis OF as
sessment is nearly 81, 900, and the assess
ment was made on that basis. The case
now comes before Judge Rose on appeal
from the board of equalization, before
whom the elevator company filed pro-
test. The question at issue is whether the
wheat in store is assessable May l or
April l. The argument on the case will be
heard at some future time. Judge Rose
has number of similar cases which will
soon be argued. 1t is said that the coming
Legislature will be asked to make some
definite legislation On the subject.
CLAwED BY MOUNTAIN LION.
Wallace Wells with several others went
on big hunt toward the Black Hills in
October. They returned to Chamberlain
few days ago, and relate narrow escape
of Wells and DR.. Treon from death by a
mountain lion. Wallace, when through
with the combat with the ferocious ami
NAL, was almost destitute of clothing, and
he was clawed and scratched to such an
extent that he looked more like pounded
piece of beefsteak than rugged hunter.
The boys declare they do not want to
tackle another mountain lion.
The Tribune says the report that it is
the intention of some of the prominent
members of the legislature which will meet
in Bismarck in few days to refuse to re-
main for the winter has knocked some of
the enthusiasm out of the plan to tender
the lawmakers reception in the capitol
upon their arrival.
Bismarck Tribune: Col. and Mrs.
E. L. Whitford we're recently blessed with
the addition of handsome boy to their
happy and estimable family. The dimpled
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