St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-09
SALTWATER NEWS.
Discovery of a Bed of Peat--Events
of Day.

Discovery of Bed of Peat--Events
OF a Day.
E. g. Northy, market gardener at
Oak Park, was surprised Friday when
passing over his farm. He encountered
"a heavy smoke, and as he supposed
there was nothing infammable in the
vicinity, he concluded to investigate.
He noticed that in one corner of his
garden all vegetable matter was dying.
{, He walked snort distance further and
his feet broke through crust of ground
I into hot ashes, from which dense
smoke arose. The burning patch of
ground is 12x20 in size, and although
large amount of water has been thrown
on it the fire still continues. The only
explanation which can be given is that
the burning ground is nothing but peat.
About six years ago, during dry spell,
the same thing occurred in that vicinity,
aud all efforts at extinguishing the fire
proved futile. 1t was supposed then
that the peat had become ignited by
sparks from locomotive, and acres
were burned before the firt was put out.
The same is probably the case on Mr..
NOrthey's farm, which is close to the
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul railroad
tracks.
The prevailing hot weather has oc-
casiOned falling off in social doings
and very few events of a social charac-
ter occurred during the past week. All
who can possibly spare day or two
have been or are camping at the neigh
boring lakes. Some of the camps in
tended to break up last evening, but the
campers have decided to remain in close
proximity to the cooling lake breeZes as
long as the present hot weather con-
tinues. Comedian lake seems to be the
chief resort this season and around its
shores many pleasant camps are sit
uated. A large number of the young
society people of this city (the Kego-
Shugamut camping parity are having
delightful time at the lake, and many
will be sorry when the. time comes to
break up and return to their city homes.
Several friends of the campers in this
city will visit the camp to-day.
The only event of a social character
this week of more than passing interest
was the OratOrical contest for Demon
est silver medal at the Grand opera
house Tuesday evening. The young
ladies who participated in the contest
did very we'll and their success is largely
due to the personal efforts of Mrs. Clara
GiSh, who devoted considerable time in
drilling them. The medal was won by
Miss Minnie Butts, and had there been
a second prize it would doubtless have
been awarded to Miss Lille McDer-
mott. The contest was given under the
auspices of Grace Congregational
church, and was we'll attended.
The Isaac Staples cleared yesterday
with half raft of logs for the Cascade
Lumber company, and a half raft for
the Burlington Lumber company, Bur-
lington, 10. The Menomonie took a
raft to the lie Sure and Standard Lum-
Der companies, Dubuque. The Volun-
teer left with half raft for the Empire
Lumber company, Winona, and half
raft for the Clinton Lumber company,
Clinton. To-, and the Ben Hershey
cleared with a raft of lumber for the
Hershey Lumber company. Muscatine,
10.
Peter Johnson, teamster employed
by the Hersey & Bean Lumber COM
pany, was seriously injured by I'M
known assailants at platform dance
at Oak Park Friday night. He received
an ugly cash in the head. and SUPPOSE
tion is that it was made by rock.
There is no clew to his assailants, and
no motive can be ascribed for the cow
ardly deed.
r A section crew employed on the Chi
cago, Milwa ukee & st. Paul road, be-
tween this city and Hastings, are at
points with the railroad company, and