Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-24
A Large Tract of Timber is
Threatened South of
B1akesburg.
FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
Farmers Turn Out En- Masse and
Check the Progress of Flames
Which Do Much Damase-ls Under
Control.


Fighting fire with fire fifty farmers
south of this city are today endeavor-
ing to prevent the spread of forest
fire, caused by hunters smoking out
rabbit yesterday afternoon, which
threatened to burn over tract from
Foster to Drakeville, miles in extent,
and do thousands of dollars worth of L
damage. Many farm houses were in \
peril but today if the high wind which
prevailed last night does not rise there
is reason to believe that the blaze will
be limited to the forty or fifty acres
in which it is now confined. One man
estimated his loss at $500 from burn
ed timber alone The total amount of
damage done is now estimated at
about $1,000
Caused by Rabbit Hunters.
Yesterday afternoon rabbit hunters
on the property OF S. L. Cohagan, of
this city, situated about four miles
| south OF Blakesburg, ran a rabbit into
hole under stump. They attempt
ed to smoke it out and built fire over
the hole. The stump caught fire and
in a short time merry blaze was in
progress in the timber The atten-
ton of farmers was attracted to the
spot and very soon it was seen that it
was likely to lead to serious results
owing to the extreme drought which
has prevailed for months.
Fifty Men on Hand.
A general alarm was sent out and
/ fifty farmers were soon on the ground
f They could do little but watch it un.
til the blaze driven by the furious gale
began to assume alarming proper
tons. Then it was seen that some
: thing must be done in order to save
the farm houses.
!, Fight Fire With Fire.
The force of men were marshalle(
S in the path of the flames some dis
3 lance ahead. A space was cleared a,
a we'll as could be done and leaves wert
S piled in great heaps. These We're Sc
I on fire and the progress of the fame
! checked at different points until the.
d were practically confined with
I space forty or fifty acres in extent.
!. Farm Houses in Danger.
For time last night it was though
that the farm house of Henry Ahee Il
J. gether with his barn and other bull
ings on the place would be destroye
The residences of Samuel Benson. FL
ward Hunt, John Ward and Virg
< Ross were in the patch of the fame
+ and fears were entertained that the
d too would go.
!, q Scene of Rugged Grandeur.
is Flames fifty feet in heighth shot
j. into the air last night and lit up Il
IS country for miles around The scel
ID was awe-inspiring. Tall trees
aflame crashed to the ground with
shower of sparks Other monarchs
the forest were sihouletted against
sky tracing every limb in flames.
o. Vulnerable smaller fires scattered he
and there reminded the onlooker
of the camp fires of an army and it to
III no great stretch Of the imaginati
ne to almost make it reality in the mir
TX of the spectators.
b. Much Danger Vet.
-, ~ A large number of men are watch,
- at the scene Of the confiagration
10 day Many people from Blakesbl
&c. Travelled the intervening four miles
the fire last night and helped the ia
ers in their battle to save their pr
erty.
The Damage.
an No estimate OF the damage done
be made owing to the nature of
no. property burned. S. l.. Cohagan y
dc owned the tract of land on which
70. fire started, estimates his loss at
he The whole amount of damage
Nv will exceed $1,000. But this is 81
item compared to the fright 81
those who resided in the path of
blaze and to what the fire might
done had it not been promptly oh
IAN ed.