The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-11
NORTH DAKOTA
LIFE LOST in FIRES.
Prairie CONGREGATIONS in Northern
North Dakota the Worst in
Many Years.
Harvey Citizens Buried Their Effects
and Were About to Fly the
Town.

special TO The journal.
Grand Forks, N. D., May 11.-Last week
the northern part Of this state and
portion of tho western part suffered
series of the worst prairie fires expert
senced- in many years. All the fires oc-
CURED when perfect gale blew from
the south. The grass that had not been
burned last fall was as dry as finder, and
the flames famed by a wind with veloc-
ity Of about forty miles an hour trav-
eled at a terrific rate Of speed.
In the early days when there was more
danger from prairie fires, greater pre-
cautions were taken to protect property.
For the past few years, however, there has
been little done in this direction by either
the farmers or the villagers, and from the
reports the losses were very heavy in
many localities.
but one loss Of life. the victim being the
3-year-old child Of Mr.. and Mrs. Ben
Gransadt, who reside q few miles from
Sawyer.
Harvey was also the scene of some ex-
citing experiences. The people were
warned Of fire approaching at the speed
Of a race horse. The air was full Of
smoke and cinders. Two trains of empty
box cars were secured, and the inhabi-
tants were prepared to load some Of their
effects and be pulled to a place Of safety.
Others took the precaution to bury their
belongings. Some of the fire breaks were
enectfve, and the wind vering a trihe,
the fire swept to one side of the town. +
The greatest loss suffered was in the
destruction of haystacks, hundreds of
which were burned. There was also an ex-
tensive loss in farm buildings. Claim
shanties were burned by the score.
Street Car Project Drass
From present indications street car
service q nj DC INnfo frn,.
ehise was granted to alleged eastern CAPT
taltsts. The franchise provided that a
cash or approved bond should be de-
| posted thirty days after the franchise
was granted, to insure the faithful per-
fornance of the contract. The thirty days
were up on April II and no sign Of a bond
has been posted to date and it is the
general feeling that the men to whom
the franchise was granted were merely
spectators, and after getting the fran
| chise endeavored to peddle 1t out to the
highest bidder, and have not yet received
a bid that would net them the sum
wanted.
| Their attorney asserts. however, tina,
the bond will be filed before the next
council meeting in June, and that the
! street car system will be completed with
in the time specified In the franchise
eighteen months from the time it was
granted.
+ Addresses by Ex-Governor Miller.
/ Elk Governor John Miller. who is nov
president Of the Y. M. c.. A. Of Duluth
spent Sunday in this city and delivered
two addresses, one in the morning at the
Presbyterian church and one before 3
mass meeting in the evening at the Bap,
fist church, in the interests Of a, z. M. C
"A. building in this city. It is planned tt
Iput up a modern building this summe,
i - kI.l. ia nnt
has been raised, and additional sum.
/ pledged AS the result of the meeting!
yesterday 1t Is probable that work will
be started in the course of few weeks