The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-08
RAGING FIRES And DROUTH.
Reports Prom Seversi states la
dicate Serious Conditions.
DRlESr FOR YEARS IN WISCONSIN
Suffering and Devastation In Mich
fgan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee,
Arkansas and Manitoba.

winnipeg. Man. October THE forest
fires that have been raging in Manitoba
close to the boundary line for the past ten
days have broken out more furiously than
ever. Ten or twelve persons are reported
to have been burned to death and the fire
Is rapidly spreading over the boundary
line into Dakota. Fircmen have been fight
ing the flames night and day, trying to
Keep them from getting into the more
tnickly populated districts. Hundreds OF
thousands of dollars worth OF timber havc
been destroyed and considerable grain az
well as some farm buildings. Up to this
time the fire has been confined to the
canadian side, but the swath line between
the United States and Manitoba has been
obliterated and great fears are entertained
tnat the fires will get beyond the control
OF the settlers.
kenosha, Wis. October 7.---Old settlers Of
the northern part of the State say this has
been the driest season for years. vegeta-
ton has been parched and crops blasted.
Wells and springs have dried up. and as
a result of the scarcity OF water stock has
suffered greatly. Prairie fires in Sommers
and Bristol caused by sparks from passing
engines destroyed considerable property be-
longing to the farmers. ALI kinds Of means
have been adopted TO stay the advance OF
the flames. In some cases where the fire
was apparently extinguished 1t continued
to burn below the surface.
Valparaiso, Ind, October THE Kan.
kakee marsh fire is ranldv spreading In
this county, though the farmers are fight
ing 1t constantly. Several more houses
We're destroyed last night. The big marsh
near Tassinong caught fire last night and
the flames swept over acres Of land de-
stroying everything in It's path.
The residents OF Hebron, Kouts and Kin
man are badly frightened, as it is feared
bitches which have been dug near these
places.
Chattanooga, Tenn, October 1.-THE
drouth in this section has been unprece
dented Late crops have been literally
burned up; ordinary large streams OF wa
ter have gone dry and complaints numer-
Gus and mournful come from all points In
the territory adjacent to Chattanooga Since
August 20 the rainfall kas amounted to
only 7-10oths of an inch. The Tennessee
river at this point ordinarily at a good
boating stage at this season, shows a depth
of only five-tenths of foot.
Little Rock. Ark, October 7.-Drouth
and forest fires are playing considerable
havoc in Arkansas and the situation grows
worse every day. Thousands OF dollars
worth Of valuable timber and other prop
erty have been destroyed by fire and stock
In nearly all sections is suffering from
scarcity of water, while In some places
there is not enough obtainable to supply
men at work.
Niles. Mich, October East and north
Of this city the terrible marsh fires still
continue. Farmers have fought the flames
night and day for week and are utterly
exhausted. They have moved their house
hold goods to places OF safety and have
sacrificed their homes.
Mascoutah, ILL.,, October I'm the expo
rence OF the oldest settlers in st. Claire
and adjoining counties the present drouth
is without parallel For two months there
has been practically mo- rain in this sec
ton and the temperature has ranged above
90 in the shade.
Decatur Ind, October Forest fires
are raging over the entire northern portion
of the county. Entire fields OF shocked
corn have been swept away.