Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-09-22
FIRES STILL RAGE
Long Drought Period Unbroken and
Property Gong Up In
Smoke.

Chicago and Peshtigo fires of 1871 has
there been SO long spell of drought in
Wisconsin or so great property loss
by fire as in the period through which
we are at present passing. On the 40
Ga of July there was rainfall of 2 81
inches. Since that time there has been
but little precipitation, the total for the
whole month of August being but As
inches. The last shower came at about
four o'clock on the morning of Septem-
TENDER 3, hardly enough falling to settle
the dust. The hot sun for long time
has been preparing the forests for what
came later-the worst fires Northern
Wisconsin has ever experienced. When
the losses are all Inquired up it will be
found that Marathon county has suff-
cred as much and perhaps more than
other counties, and the end is not in
sight. Even should we get some show
ers soon, fires will shoulder for long
time to come and break afresh in the
Indian summer weather in October
Every township along the Wisconsin
river from the Lincoln to the Portage
county line has been partially devastat-
ed and many people have lost their
homes and farm property. Some farmers
have had every green tree on their
lands destroyed and territory left
a barren waste. Most of these fires
can be traced to the work of injudicious
farmers who thought the present good
time to burn brush heaps and some of
them will lay the penalty for their
carelessness. They are not only sub
ject to make good monetary
settlement with those they have burned
out, but to pay fine of 500 and costs
as we'll.
Last week we reported serious losses
in the town of Texas. After it seemed
that the fires had spent their force they
broke out anew. In the middle of the
week, Marshall hill was burned over for
a second time, the dead leaves falling
as a result of the first fire furnished in
flammable material for the second. The
latter part of the week fire swept
down from the Pine River country to
Trappe river and though the farmers
joined in fighting the flames, their
efforts were futile in stopping their
progress. County Treasurer, Robt.
Juedes. accompanied by his two chill
dren, went up to his mothers place on
Friday and fought fire all day. His
mothers home is situated on what is
known as Hungry Ridge and from this
ridge one can see the country for miles
around. He says that on Friday flames
and smoke could be seen as far as the
eye could reach northward, and the
roaring and the cracking of flames
was something which would strike
terror in the heart of most any man.
While he was al his mothers home the
fire worked south along the Wausau
road, and when he was on his way
home he had very thrilling experience.
The road in many places is narrow,
with brush grown up on either side.
AT one point he saw flames shoot across
the road ahead of him. There was no
chance to turn around and 60 back.
Wrapping the lapro5e around the heads
of his children to protect them from
the smoke, he dashed his horse into a
run and dashed through the flames into
gulley where there was no fire.
Reaching a hill beyond he met with
another sheet of flame, and came
through it all right, but the experience
was a hair raiser. VIM. Beerbaum
mail carrier on K. F. d. No. 4. had a
similar experience, but did not fare so
well. He got his hands and face singed
James Kennedy, who lives on the old
John Gallon, farm lost his machinery
shed and most of his farm machinery
Thursday night and~Robt. Arndt, living
east of him, lost all of his buildings ex-
cept his house. Mr.. Juedes says that
the day he was up in that town most
of the farmers in the fire belt were ex-
hausted from fighting the fire day and
night. Farmers who have been letting
their cattle and sheep run in the woods
now keep them in open fields where
the danger is less. Even then they are
not safe, for fires, where they get a
a start, run across stubble land like a
prairie fire and even p!owed ground
does not stop them. On Friday Sec
ond fire started in the country border
ing the Nutterville road and also on
the west side of the Wisconsin river
north of the city. The latter could be
plainly seen from elevations in this city.
o. E. Wells of Wausau, who owns a
large farm bordering Trappe rapids
had about $50 acres of slashings burned
over and fences destroyed. He traced
the fire as coming from bush fires set
on adjoining farms, and securing an
attorney he caused the farmers to make
a satisfactory settlement with him. 1t
is reported that many prosecutions will
follow as a result of damage coming
from like source. AS the PILOT said
last week, it is criminal to set fire to
brush heaps now and one guilty of it
cannot be too severely handled by the
law.
We are Informed that P. Schmidt Of
the town of Weston lost his house,
barn, grain and everything he had on
the farm. He was found overcome with
smoke. Paul Pinke of the town of
Kronenwetter lost his house, barn,
grain stacks, etc. From almost every
town in the burned district similar
losses are reported and without doubt
many more have lost their homes who
have not'reported.
Famed by a stiff wind Sunday a
small fire west of Rib and Mosinee hills
became a roaring mass and Judging by
the smoke which was driven over the
city, the fire must have been hot one.
We have been unable to learn but little