The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-09-27
2 Copyright. 1901. by Harper & Brother,
Holt rurneo TO Mcylln,och.
By VAUGHAN KEsTER

lulS Wluu DlOWlnS, IL WOulu nave Deen
too big risk"
He glanced moodily across the town
to the north, where the black cloud
hung low in the sky. He added:
II have told my wife to keep the
young ones in. no matter what hap
pens, but, Lord, they will be about as
we'll off one place as another when it
comes to the PINCH"
II suppose so" agreed the doctor II
am at loss to know what precautions
to take to insure the safety of Mrs.
Emory and my daughter"
1t was only o'clock. but it was al
ready quite dark in the town, a strange
half light that twisted the accustomed
shape of things. The air was close,
sitting, and the wind. which blew in
heavy gusts, was like the breath from
a furnace. The somber twilight car
ried with 1t horrible sense Of depres-
sion. Every sound in nature was still
ed. Silence reigned supreme. 1t was
the expectant hush of each living thing.
The three men stepped out on the
platform. Holt and the doctor were
still hopping their faces with their
limp handkerchiefs. McCllntock was
tanning himself with his straw hat.
When they spoke they unconsciously
dropped their voices to whisper.
'Those families in the north end
should move out Of their homes" said
the doctor. "If they wait until the fire
gets here they will save nothing but
what they have on their backs"
"Yes, and the houses ought to come
down." added McClIntock. "There's
where the fire will get its first grip on
the town, and then heaven help usv'
Night came, and so imminent Seems
ed the danger that Antioch was reused
to something like activity.
A crowd composed almost exclusive
ly of men gathered early on the square
before the courthouse.
They had by common consent given
up all hope that the relief train would
be sent from Buckhorn Junction. The
light in the sky told them that they
We're completely cut off from the out
side world The town and the woods
Immediately adjacent formed an is
land in the center Of an unbroken sea
Of fire. The ragged red line had crept
around to the east, west and south, but
the principal danger would be from
the north, where the wind drove the
flames forward with resistless fury.
To the south and east Billups Fork
interposed as barrier to the progress
of the fire, and on the west was a
wide area Of cultivated fields.
At regular intervals waves of light
flooded the square as the freshening
gusts famed the conflagration or
whirled across the town great patches
Of black smoke. In the intervals Of
light number of dark figures could
be seen moving about on the roof Of
the courthouse. Like the square below,
1t was crowded with anxious watchers.
The crowd jostled to and fro on the
square, restless and excited and inca
pable of physical quiet. Then sudden
ly a voice was raised and made itself
heard above the tramp Of feet.
Those houses in the north end must
come down." this voice said
There was silence and then many
tongued murmur. Each man present
knew that the residents of the north
end had sworn that they would not
sacrifice their homes to the public
good. If their homes must go they
much preferred to have them burn. for
then the insurance companies would
have to bear the loss.
''Those houses must come down." the
voice repeated.
1t was McClintock who had spoken.
who's going to pull them DOWN."
to fight for them
And we ought to be just as ready to
Eight If it comes to that" answered the
master mechanic. Its for the COM
mon good"
The crowd was seized with noisy
agitation Its pent up feelings found
vent in bitter denunciation of the north
rows-had mounted the courthouse
steps and was vainly endeavoring to
make himself heard. He was counsel
ing delay, but no one listened to him.
The houses must be torn down wheth-
er their owners wanted it or not. Nc
Clintock turned up the street.
Fall in" he shouted, and at least a
hundred men fell i'll behind him,
marching two abreast. Here and there
as they moved along a man would for
sake the line to disappear into his own
gate. When he rejoined his neighbors
he invariably carried an AK, pick or
crowbar.
From the square they turned into
Main street and from Main street into
the north road, and presently the head
of the procession halted before a clus-
ter of small frame houses resting in a
hollow to their right.
"These must come down first" said
McClintock. Nov, we want no noise,
men. Well pass out their stuff quietly
as we can and take it back to the
square"
He swung open gate as he spoke
civilians keeps a team. A couple OF
you fellows run around to the barn
and hook up"
Just then the front door opened, and