Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-04-03
FURIOUS FLAMEsi
Freely Fed From Fibefsd FusIi

Freely Fed From Fibefsd Fusii
One year ago yesterday morning
this vicinity was visited by a much
needed and welcome irrigation by
"Old Muddy" putting the land in
excellent condition for spring plow-
ing. Yesterday, we were treated to
a very different irrigation, consisting
Of o full. tledged prairie fire that
swept overt the Missouri river bottom
from a point about nine miles west
and north of Elk Point, to the Sioux
River. While it does not equal the
fire Of ten years ago, rs regards loss
of property and violence, yet yester-
days fire was a terror. A very
heavy gale was blowing from the
west and all attempts Of the conra-
geous and willing hands to save
property seemed futile, save when
perfect fre-breaks had been prepar-
ed, and in some Of these cases even
fire. breaks three hundred yards in
width proved of no avail. The ter
ritory covered by this blaze is too
great TO receive an extended notice
particularizing the losses of our peo-
pie, could the same be fully estjmat-
ed at this time. Thousands of tons
of hay were burned, which loss will
he severely felt. At Mark Naugh-
toms place the cattle sheds ard out
| buildings were DESTROYED; at the
Stockham place the house only was
saved; August Prim lost his barn
and sheds, together with his farm
machinery Of every description,
barely saving his house; at Mike
Nolan's the fire. was carried fully
sixty rods to his barn which was
consumed, together with his wagon;
the outbuildings of Pat Reed shared
the same fate; Dan Ryan lost "a
fine hogs. about six hundred bush
els of corn, barn and sheds. tools
and machinery and his coat contain
ing $50 in money; on the middle
grade two bridges are gone, one Just
north of Simon Mclnerney's farm
and the second one from the same,
north; on the lower gradetwo bridg-
es r gone and n on the Card
road.
Characteristic of our people, no
time was lost in getting to work
fighting fire, and through their no.
bic and almost superhuman efforts
much property was saved.
LATER.
Since the above was put into type
there has been the widest kind Of
rumors in the air, accompanied by
wind just a little short of a hurri.
cane and a binding cloud of dust.
Through the efforts Of good neigh
bors Wesley McNeil's house was
saved, fire having started from some
aus in his wood pile. The same
well directed efforts prevented the
fire from coming down the slough
and m~enacing our city. Not salts
fed with taking everything but the
house on Mark Naughton's farm on
Monday, the work there was com.
pleted yesterday afternoon by the
total destruction Of the house.
About five o'clock yesterday at.
ternoon some lunatic started a fire
in Christie's timber, northwest of
the school section south of this city.
Ed. Becky is the principal loser.
His house, barn, sheds. and his
buildings devoted to his bee work
were destroyed. The entire school
section was burned over.
An extensive fire swept over the
table land on Monday afternoon,
starting somewhere in the vicinity
Of Sphinx Center. We are advised
of no losses, save thato of the destruc-
ton of the barn of our popular sher-
jf, Andrew Anderson.
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