Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-27
LEAPING FLAMES.
Kansas Counties Treated TO a
Bath of Fire.
Rocks, sodgwick, Klpginan and Lincoln
suffer Greatly Vague Reports Of Loss
OF Life--No Doubt OF Much
Damage.


Damage.
STOCKTON, Kan, March 25.-RookG
County has received a terrible baptism
OF fro. man whose name is unknown
started TO burn some corn stalks, and
from this started prairie fire which has
never been equalled in this section OF
the country for extent and amount OF
damage done.
For thlrty-six hours the fire ragged
without cessation, and swept from the
southeast corner Of the county to the ex-
treme northwest corner, burning every
yestige OF grass, hay and standing corn
stalks from the face Of the earth.
A perfect gale OF wind was blowing,
sending clouds Of sand and dust before
il, which increased tho seriousness OF
the calamity Every thing in tho path
OF the famos was swept away with tho
exception Of few farm houses, which
were saved only by tho united efforts Of
all tho farmers of the neighborhoods
who would assemble TO fight the fire at
stated points and then proceed to the
next point Of danger. Tho whole air
was mass OF clouds OF smoke and sand,
and tho work OF fighting tho fire was
most uncomfortable.
The first fire started Sunday morning
from sparks from defective stove pipe,
which caught the dry grass, which at
oncc blazcd up like tinder and spread so
rapidly that it was impossible to stop it
until IL had done an immense amount of
damage. Hay, corn, outbuildings and
somo stock was destroyed. while
the lanes leaped the Solomon
ycncd and were only stopped at
last by tho combined efforts OF the
whole people turning out and fighting
thom at tho embankrnent OF tho Mis-
sonri Pacific railroad. north Of this city.
Moro than 500 tons OF hay and
many thousand bushels OF corn and a
largo amount OF other property has
been destroyed and the total loss is
placed at $40, 900. Tho farmer who
started the fire with his corn stalks will
be arrested and prosecuted.
IN sEDGwIcK AND KINGMAN.
WICHITA. kan, March 25.-rwo sons
of w c. Webster wero burning some
.sunnawc!s on their fathers farm in ths
western part OF this county yesterday
morning when fire caught in the grass
and spread over about fifty sections, de-
stroying ten farm houses and buildings
Tho loss is estimated variously from
500, 900 to 5000, 600
Advicos arc TO the effect that the fire
is under control, but a high wind causes
much fear that IL will break out again
1t was reported at midnight that the
fire in the southeastern part Of Kingman
County had broken out in many places
from tho conhagration OF yesterday,
which IT was thought had, after yig~
orous fight, been conquered
The point whore II is reported 70 be
doing the most damage Is fifteen miles
southwest Of the Webster farm, whore
the iro started from somo farm hands
who were removing corn stalks from a
field
1t is said that oighteon farm houses
have been burnea~during the day and
night and the loss in grain and personal
effects will amount TO many thousands Of
dollars. The farmers are out by the
hundreds fighting to save homes and
property.
Tho report has gained circulation that
lnccndiarios assisted the flames TO get
started again and some who are strongly
OF that opinion are greatly cnragcd, and
should any ono he found on whom sus-
plcion might rest there is no doubt he
would be handled promptly
IN LINCOLN COUNTY.
LINCOLN Kan, March e5.-A prairie
fre started southwest Of this city Sun
day morning and burned over an i'm
monse area Of the county, destroying |
several farm houses and burning large |
amount Of farm machinery livestock |
and corn in cribs
Coming northwest il was supposed |
that its fury would be stayed by tho Sa-
limo river. but it jumped across the ten |
rods Of water as if it were dry ground |
and camo on toward this city, which /
was only saved by the most strenuous
efforts OF tho citizens, who turned out
ca masso to fight the flames.
Another fire was started west Of this
city and rapidly spread before the wind
10 the westward and destroyed large
amount Of livestock and other farm
property. Tho grass Is very dry and
burns like tindcr.
Fires are also reported from several
points to the southeast OF this city and
reports come from Rocks County that
several people wore burned to death by
an Immense fire which has envelopcd
the entire county.
Tho situation has become so serious
that 10 has bccn deemed best to estab-
Iish a mounted patrol among tho farm
PRS FOR tho purpose Of watching the
country and giving timely warning to
the people.