The Helena independent., 1889-04-05
TOWNS WIPED OUT
Terrible Tales Of Suffering and Heavy
Losses from the Dakota
Prairie Fires.
Such the Fury OF the Wind that Moth
ing Could be Done to Stop
the Flames.
Hundreds OF Families Homeless ON the
Prairies with Neither seed wheat.
Implements or Money.


sofa have been swept by series OF wind
storms, which has caused millions OF dol
lars OF damage TO property and the lives OF
several lost. The storm started Monday
night and swept over large area south OF
the Northern Pacific In Dakota, extend
ing into the southern tier OF counties In this
state. The greatest damage was not
caused by wind alone, but In many places
fires famed into fury by the storms wiped
out Of existence several small villages and
hundreds of farmers houses; rendering
hundreds of families homeless. The
towns almost completely destroyed are
Leols, Ollyet, Pukwana, Lesterville, and
East Mount Vernon. Three or four other
villages were badly damaged. Many head
Of cattle, sheep and hogs also perished. In
many places crops were covered by loose
sand and dust and will have TO be replant.
ed. All travel is suspended on some lines
OF road, so great was the force OF the wind.
The storm has abated somewhat, but the
wind is yet high enough 10 keep the fires
burning tiercely and further heavy losses
arc almost certain. The damage In Min
nesota Is much less than in Dakota, as the
force OF the storm was pretty well spent
before reaching the border. The losses In
South Dakota will reach 81, 600, 900 at the
lowest calculation.
COULD NOT STAY THE FLAMES.
MITCHELL, OAK, April +.-Nobody but
man who has stood before prairie fire
and tried to stay Its awful rush and roar
when 1t is famed by fresh wind can APP
preciate Its almost resistless force. The
fires that have brought so much loss and
suffering 10 southeastern Dakota In the last
few days were practically irresistible. The
flames In some instances leaped 100 feet OF
plowed ground and rushed away again on
their career OF destruction. All ordinary
precautions were vain. The spring has
been very dry and the top OF the ground
has been dusty OF baked and an extremely
high wind prevailed during the fires. Under
these conditions wherever the fire touched
the grass II burst out with fash almost
like powder, and shot away across the
prairie like an arrow, its course ever widen
ing. To extlngulsh II by water, of course,
was out OF the question. Flowing fire
breaks was slow work, and the high wind
often drove the flames across them. II was
3 O'Clock In the afternoon when the people
nj Vernon saw the wide spreading prairie
north west of them break out into blaze.
Smoke was dashed into and through the
town on the wings OF the wind, and the
flames rushed after with savage fury.
Mitchell was telegraphed 10 for help, and
100 men with hook and ladder were sent.
The entire population OF Mount Vernon
and the men from Mitchell met the furious
flames on the outskirts of the town. and
fought with burning faces. One hundred
families were left homeless, while the loss
was $4,000. Outside OF the town II is I'M
possible yet 10 say what the loss Is. Lone
ly little farm houses scattered over the
prairie were wiped out by the dozens.
The stories Of the losses Of life may come
later.
STORIES OF LOSSES.
YANKToN, OAK, April 4.-Stories OF
terrible losses by the hurricanes Of ire that
swept over the country north Of here con
tinue 10 come In. Violin has only three
buildings standing. In Yankton county
about twenty farmers were burned out In
the vicinity of GAINESVILLE, twelve miles
north OF Yankton. eight farmers sustained
losses running from $1,000 10 $1,000 each.
Around GAINESVILLE the loss will foot up
$4,000. One man lost $1,000 In money
which he had In his coat. Sixty miles OF
telegraph wire were blown down between
Centerville and Huron.
BLUNT, Oak, April 4.-Stories Of the
Int.