The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-01
Losses FROM PRAIRIE FlREs.
Flames Sweep Everything In Their
Path. 4

Il -. Esg -
Prairie fires have been the cause Of
q great deal Of damage in various sec.
lions OF North Dakota during the past
few days. the warm, dry weather hav-
Ing left the stubble and dead hay in
the meadow land in such condition
that. driven by the high winds pre-
vatling. fire has worked havoc before
finally being extinguished. The great
prairie fire Of the last few days was
that in Sargent county, in which it is
believed several lives were Lost. This
fire started near Straubville, in the
western part Of Sargent county,
sweeping to the southeast and cross
Ing the state line. Great damage was
done in the vicinity of Cogswell.
Louis. Drain became terror-stricken
at the approach OF the fire, and COM
mencsd fleeing southwark with his
family. directly in the path of the on.
coming fire. Efforts were made to
have him stop. but to no. avail, and
he has not been seen or heard of
since. Drains farm was swept by
fire. every building, with the excep.
ton of his residence, being destroyed.
Other farmers of that district suffered
heavy losses. many smaller houses
being destroyed. while in nearly all
cases the homes were saved.
At Napoleon the citizens have been
called out several times to fight the
fire demon. The first time fifty men
were out fighting the flames which
we're stopped before any damage re-.
suited. The following day they were
again called out for fire which de-
stroyed much hay. Following this
an engine started blaze which was
stopped just in time to save the resi-
dence Of l.. G. Sheeler. Thirty tons of
hay belonging to j. Thompson were
burned. The next day the worst fire
of the season occurred, being started
by boys who were attempting to
smoke gopher out. Several thou
sand acres of choice range land were
made desolate, while the residences
of w. Arntz and A. Pierson were de-
stroyed.
John johnson of Kuhn lost nine
head of horses in a fire which de-
stroyed his barn. There was an insur-
ance OF only 5000, the total loss being
$4,000.
Bowdon was threatened with COM
plete destruction by fire which start
ed west Of that city. The entire pop
ulation was called out and only sue
ceeded in stopping the blaze and pre-
venting property loss by several hours
of hard work.
Near Dawson wildfire burned the
buildings on the farm of r. L. John
son while several on the G.. Peterson
farm were burned down. The fire ran
about three miles.
Near Wilton there was most Pc
culiar fire. A farmer had given his
two boys. who were attending the dis
trict school. matches with which to
protect themselves in case they
should see prairie fire. The boys
evidently thought that some practice
work was necessary, and started a
blaze, which, however, did no damage.
In another fire near Wilton, several
farmers lost heavily in the destruc-
ton of their buildings.
Over 200 Ashley residents went out
last week to fight big fire which
bore down upon the city. The blaze
was an immense one, the people going
out several miles to fight it, being
taken from the city in wagons. The
fight was long one, but successful.
Palermo was threatened for a time
with a fire, but it was diverted from
it's course. going just short distance
from the city. Several big farm losses
occurred in this fire.