The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-04-10
TERRIBLE PRAIRIE FIRES.
Many Farmers Burned Out of House and
HOme-Heavy Losses

SCOTLAND. OAK, April S.-Another terrible
prairie fire swept over the country south OF
Scotland yesterday afternoon, and its path i
marked by the smoldering embers Of many
homes tonight. A very high wind prevailed
all day, and with the grass as dry as finder the
terrific force of the fire is beyond description.
At o'clock word was brought to town that
the prairie was afre north OF West
Town, and Immediately 100 men started in
teams toward the approaching fire armed with
brooms and sacks. Arrived at Alfred Browns,
two miles north, all his barns, diaries and cattle
sheds were blazing mass and the efforts OF
the crowd were directed 10 saving his residence
and beating the fire out that would in a short
time have swept down upon the town. Browns
residence was saved, but all ms household
goods that had been carried out by the family
were burned. One mile north Of Browns the
fire burned Henry Hagelfry out of every
earthly possession. His house, barns and
stock were consumed, and he barely escaped
with his family. Across from Hagelfry
lived d. K. Tomlinson, prosperous farmer,
and everything about his place, except his
house, had been swept away. Five houses and
several head of live stock were among his
losses. His wife was home alone when the
fire broke out, and could do nothing to save
the property. By evening the fire in the west
had been extinguished. but 1t is stu raging In
the southeast. The town of Olivet. the county
seat OF Hutchinson county, eight miles north,
is reported TO be more than half burned up.
The bridges on the railroad west Of the town
were burned. The losses for the last two days
will be fully $4,000.
Leola, county seat of Mcpherson county,
thirty-hye miles northwest of Aberdeen was de-
strOyed by prairie fire during yesterdays whirl-
wind. The fire came from the west and was
not noticed until it struck the town, on account
of the terrible dust. Six dwellings and business
houses were destroyed, entailing loss Of $780,
600. The only buildings remaining are the
court house, two stores and sixty dwellings. c.
w. Old and Thomas WardeU were terribly
burned and couriers from the demolished vii
lage say they cannot live until morning. Leola
is an interior town with no railroads or tele-
graph and further particulars cannot be OBJ
tanned.
The whole country around Blunt was de-
vastated by the wind and fire Of last night
Buildings in the suburbs were destroyed, but
Blunt was saved. J. L. Richardson lost 500
sheep, cattle and hogs. He saved two teams
and a house. Hundreds are homeless; others
saved only their stock; others but house.
Many buildings were wrecked by the terrible
wind before the fire.
From Huron, Oak, comes the following:
"No fire in the history of this part Of Dakota
equals that of yesterday. In this county the
losses are much less than in the counties west
Halt dozen houses were burned and many
settlers lost their barns, some stock and
a large quantity of hay and grain.
The wind was from fifty TO sixty
miles an hour and sent burning embers over
the plOwed ground and fire breaks several rods
wide, setting FIRE TO everything in their course.
The fire came so rapidly that settlers had only
time to save themselves, leaving their property
to the mercy of the flames. In Sully and
Hughes counties 100000 worth Of property
has been destroyed Near Highmore, Miss
Sweeney was burned 10 death, and near Law
renee, Mr.. BabcOck persisted IN the flames.