The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1904-03-11
NAN DEAD INA PRAIRIE FIRE
FRANK EsGREW OF GEKTKHEE COUNTY
OFERTAKKE ~ FEAMEs.
walter sheeder Also Badly Burned-saoh
Damage to Property Near Bird city
Other Disastrous Prairie FIres
over the state.


The prairie FIRE that started on the
farm occupied by Paul Phillips, SIX
miles north Of Bird City last Wednes-
day morning, burned to death Frank
McGrew and destroyed large amounts
Of grain and feed.
The St Francis Eagle says the IRE
was started by the burning of weeds BY
Paul Phillips. The wind suddenly arose
and the FIRE got away from him. The
wind increased and the fre spread 50
rapidly that It was soon beyond all
available help.
Frank McGrew, who lived with his
family on the MOthershead farm to the
south Of Phillips, and Waiter Sheeder.
were at WORK blowing FIRE guards about
80 rods from the house, Just south OF
where the FIRE was burning furiOusly.
and here the grass was tall, lhick and
very dry.
Il was about the middle Of the after
noon that the wind with a sudden gust
veered stright from the north and
brought the FIRE directly upon them.
The men tried to unhitch the horses,
but they broke and ran away. The
smoke and dust were so thick the men
were almost sufFOcated. their clothing
caught FIRE and was entirely burned OF
their bodies. They became separated
and McGnew was found on the prairie
and taken home and all that could was
done for him, but he died about mid
night. Mr.. Sheeder made his way
home. He was very badly burned, but
at the last report there vas hope of his
recovery.
Mrs MCGrew saw the flames cover
the men and she climbed into the water
tank and sat down TO wet her clothing
in order 10 prevent It getting on FIRE
and started out to help or find them.
In this she failed and after some time
returned TO the house.
Up to Thursday evening, but one of
the horses had been found and its name
and tail were burned entirely OF.
The damage TO property is hardly
known yet, but we have learned that
Beesons, who live on the Kerndt farm
just north of Bird City lost everything.
house, barn, sheds, feed and some
hogs. W. H. Smith lost all but his
house, including 900 bushels OF wheat.
], 900 bushels Of barley, barn, sheds and
feed. John Cram lost his barn and
contents. Thad Weesner lost all his
feed, Frank Nixon all his feed and
Andrew Weesner part of his feed. The
buildings on the B. W. Knott farm
were also burned.
Other smaller fires were reported IN
Cheyenne and Thomas counties. The
engines on the stub OF the Burlington
road started several fires. which did
damage 20 the range and a bridge be-
tween Haigler and Baird was burned
out.
While Sherman county experienced
no fires last week, and has not this
year suffered from anything more than
a few slight blazes on the Prairies. yet
the prairie grass Is very dry. and people
were afraid that the gale Of last week
would do great damage If a IRE should
get a start
a FIRE which burned out the Rock
Island bridge at Stuttgart delayed
trains several hours Saturday
Near COnco1dia- Salina and Hill City
there was also considerable damage by
FIRE. In some instances the farmers
were burning over their stubble6elds
when the sweeping storm overlook them
and took the FIRE out of their control
In the northern part Of Oklahoma
prairie fires proved fatal in at least one
instance. II ragged not far from Law
ton and IN other places, burning much
feed and many buildings
For sale ~ Best ORer Can Get within
Thirty Days
The northwest quarter of 22-S-39 and
the northeast quarter Of $40. Sher-