Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-24
In PATH OF PRAIRIE FIRE
Dssolation Karks Home Of Yooum Family
on Rosebud Reservation.
DAUGHTER IS DEAD AND MOTHER DYING
Savings Of Years Destroyed when
Clothing - Burned from Woman
Misfortune Of Family from
Kansas.

BONEsTEEL, s. D., March q -(special)
The home Of Mr.. Yocum, seven miles
south Of town, presents a sight seldom
seen. In the little house, which is the only
building left on the farm, lies the body Of
Daisy, the 14-year-old daughter. burned to
a crisp. The mother, who was reported
dead last night. is still alive, but In a crit
ical condition. At the side of the bed sits
the father, his face and hands burned his
eyes resting upon his loved ones-one dead
the other dying Dead chickens are scat
tered about the yard. others not fortunate
enough to have been burned to death, with
eyes burned out and feathers singed are
wandering about the place
In the road, about seventy yards south
Of the house, the eyelets from her shoes
and the buttons from her clothing mark
the place where Daisy fell and was burned
70 death. Near the house were gathered a
few Of the neighbors who had come to Of
Ter their assistance.
Fire starts Near Dallas.
The fire started near the town Of Dallas
about 10 o'clock in the forenoon and was
driven by a terrific west wind. II covered
a strip about twenty miles long and from
two to five miles wide.
Mr.. Yocum and his family had but re-
Gently moved to the reservation. Mr..
Yocum was unloading some Of his furniture
when he noticed the fire approaching. He
hitched his team to a pillow and started to
plow a nreguard, but had only fairly got
ten started when the fire was upon them.
The horses became tangled in the harness
and Mrs. Yocum, seeing her husband in
trouble, went to his assistance. Her clothes
caught IRE and she started for the house,
meeting her daughter about half way She
tried 20 protect the child but was unable to
do So The daughter, whose clothes were
also on FIRE. tore loose from her mother,
was lost from view and when found was
burned TO a crisp.
hoy Is Saved.
Johnnie, an s-year-old boy, started for a
plowed field east OF the house, but the
flames beat down upon him, and the father
seeing that he was in danger rushed to his
assistance. He laid the boy down on the
ground and threw himself on top Of him,
thus saving him from harm.
Mr.. and Mrs. Yocum and their family
came from Frankfort, Kan, to South
Dakota, about two years ago They had by
years Of hard work saved a little over 5000,
with which they expected to purchase a
farm in Trip county after the opening.
They had no faith in banks and always kept
their money in their house. When Mrs.
Yocum saw the fire approach she feared
the house would burn, and she put the
money into the pocket of her dress. Her
clothing was burned from her body and
their little fortune destroyed. The house
and the three little children who remained
inside were unframed.
Several thousand dollars worth Of prop
erty was destroyed, the heaviest loser be-
ing Ed McManigal, who lives about three
miles southwest of Yocum. A number OF
cattle were lost and hundreds of tons OF
hay.
OGALALLA, Neb., March 23.-(Specia
Telegram. lin the prairie fire which passed
across the north part OF Perkins county
Thursday afternoon James Bechtel and
- George Bruner. two German farmers were
caught and badly burned Bechte has
since died and Bruner will lose his left
hand and one eye, The fire extended thirty
miles east and west and four or FIVE miles
wide and destroyed considerable property