The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-08-03
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE
Regarding Prairie Fires.

The Stock Growers Journal Of Miles
City makes the following pertinent re-
marks regarding prairie free, which are
equally applicable to Cascade county:
ut is wise to call attention to a dan
ger before it gets too near. An ounce Of
prevention is better than a pound OF
cure, but the danger we allude to only
admits OF prevention. When it comes
there is no cure. The loss is absolute.
IF the present torrid weather CON
tinues the range grass will o be in
ripe condition for taking hre on the
slightest opportunity. 1t would be too
bad il in addition to all the ills that
flesh is heir to and all the miseries that
have been thrust upon US by no fault of
Jul own, but merely that certain per-
sons should enjoy the luxury Of indulg-
ing their sympathies at our expense, for
certain other people to whom we
never did any harm, we should
through our own negligence have to suf-
fer from a scourage which care would
prevent. We don't want extensive
prairie fires in addition to our other
troubles. We don't want any risk of ex.
tensive loss Of grass at this critical
period. We don't want the one advan-
tage that circumstances have left US
over other interests and communities
imperiled by carelesness. 1t Is true the
laws prescribe punishment for any dis
regard Of the prescribed precautions re-
garding fire. But in this case, the pun
ishment Of the evil-doer, no matter how
severe it may be made, must necessarily
be inadequate to the offense. 1t can
not restore the burned grass. No
damages can be obtained The loss is
irreparable.
"Continued care and increasing watch
fulness are the price Of immunity from
this great danger. Those in charge of
camping parties and cattle outfits should
leave nothing undone that vigilance can
suggest to prevent in these critical times
a wide spread destruction of the grass
by the devouring element. The half
smoked cigarette of a careless COW
hand or a reckless tramp may start a
confiagration that would result in thous-
ands Of dollars loss to innocent settlers
and enterprising stockmen.
"Grown people are very much like
children and school boys, even after
their boards begin to grizzle. They for
get the lessons they have received very
quickly. II you want the lesson remem-
bered you must keep repeating it. You
must continually review it. Yor must
keep digging it into them. 1t won't
do to call their attention to even the
most important lesson once or twice,
you must recur TO it again and again.
and even with continued iteration you
are fortunate il you can get our warn.
ings needed. The proverb tells us that
q word to the wise is sufficient. We
won't attempt to dispute that wise saw.
Experience teaches that the wise are not
very numerous now, il they ever were,
which we are inclined to doubt, so we
have to keep up the warning cry in the
Of our patrons and are COM
PEELED to repeat ourselves in the interest
Of our patrons. Think of the addition
to u calsmities il, while transportation
10 impeded, there SHOULD be a widespread
Of grass from prairie free
And let that thought nerve all persons
and responsible to the exer-
cise Of every %precaution to prevent a
calamity 30 fraught with Irremediable
eyila"