The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-10-26

OMAHA, NEB,. Oct, pa special 10
the Bee from Hyannis, Neb., says:
This week has been direfui one in u
large portion OF the sand hills. Devas-
tating fres swept through the western
part oil Cherry aud Grant counties,
burning on the north side Of the Bur
lington & Missouri track to within
about four miles of Hyannis. Lashed
on by furious wind, the fires travelled
at a pace that carried CONSERVATION as
well as destruction. The fire north OF
the railroad was set the first Of tho
week by a man and his pipe, about ten
miles north of Alliance. Tho man was
intoxicated aud in filing and lighting
bis pipe, threw the burning match on
the ground where 1t ignited the grass.
In an instant FIRE started which, fan
ned by the northwest wind. at once set
out on ita mission OF destruction.
Specific reports OF the damage done on
the ranches Of some Of the sufferers arc
not in yet. It Is reported that two men
were burned at Mullen. One is dead
and the otheris lying in critical con-
dition aud will die.
About the same time another fire
started on the south side OF the track,
burning everything clear from Lakeside
to Blue river. At present the tire Is
largely condned to the isolated districts
Of Sherman, Grant. Thomas and Cherry
counties. Little information is obtain
able, as the fire is swept by higH wind,
first in one direction, then in another,
but the loss Is known to be heavy. The
fatalities known are as follows, but
there are many unver!tied rumors
which claim many ranchmen were lost:
E. Lelocher, ranchman, caught by
flames while trying to save his home.
Bliss, brother.iu.law OF Le.
locher.
Two unknown men.
In Sheridan county the FIRE has
burned over a strip OF country over four
miles in width, and is still burning
Thousands OF tons Of hay have been de-
stroyed, leaving cattlemen destitute.
The homes and stock OF two men were
burned and their cattle ranch ruined.
1t will require Thousands of dollars to
repair the great damage OF the fire.
Nothing like the ruin has happened for
years.
Al Bedford, ten miles south, citizens
we're out until late hour last night,
burning fire guards, and at this time
the town is considered safe unless the
fire should come in north OF the strip
burned over yesterday. The wind is
blowing at the rate Of sixty miles an
hour, and grave fears OF fire are enter.
tanned, as the atmosphere ia full OF
smoke and cinders.
So far no loss Of life is reported in that
locality, but the loss OF the range will
be great to the stockmen.
Hundreds OF thousands OF head OF
cattle are grazing in Cherry, Thomas,
Grant and other counties where these
fires are raging. These cattle were sent
there from southern parts OF the state,
where the drouth has been felt 80 heav.
ily, and were taken to the northern
counties to grazo for the winter. It is
feared large proportion OF these cattle
have perished in the flames. Il Is al
most impossible to got any definite in
formation concerning the fires, as they
are at some distance from the railway
stations.
The loss to the farmers and stock
raisers will be enormous. Coming as it
does, on the top OF the drouth. the stu
alton will be hard to bear this winter.
It will bo several days before any def
nite details as to the loss OF life and
property will be known, since those
who have fled from their homes to the
water courses to avoid the flames will
not leave thom while the fires are being
so constantly shifted by the high winds.