Year: 1879




\ correspondent writing from Concor-
dia, Cloud county. Kan, under date of
March l4th, says: II have Just returned
from ride through the northern portion
of this county, and witnessed a portion of
the destruction made by the prairie fire on
Thursday. | saw on that evening the
dense smoke which came from that direc.
tion toward this place, and. from the ter
rife force of the wind every one predict
ed that much damage must be done to corn
fields. houses. barns, hay stacks, stock,
etc; but none were prepared to witness
such destruction of property or hear of the
loss of life. The fire started not far above
Lake Sibley on Thursday morning, and,
the wind blowing lightly from the south,
no danger was apprehended 1t worked
slowly up the river and to the east until
Thursday afternoon when, in half an hour
the wind shifted to the north, and blew
gale. The people between the fire and
the river saw the danger and prepared to
meet it; but their efforts were almost
trutleSs At different points parties ral-
lied To check the fast advancing fire, but
found that the thick binding smoke and
burning grass and weeds were too much
for them, and each seemed to endeavor to
take care of himself In many instances
the men were unable to reach their homes
and the women were compelled to do the
best they could


The saddest case that | heard of was
that of Mrs Boversox, wife of Daniel Bow
ersoX, who lives on West creek. in repub-
lie county, near where the fire turned
south. The men had left the house to fight
the fire. leaving the two women at home
the unfortunate lady end her mother-iI-
law. soon after the men had left. the fire
came down toward the stable. which con-
tanned several valuable horses. The
Younger Mrs. Boversox entered the stable
which was already on fire, and was never
after seen alive The stable was soon de-
Stroyed. The men had taken refuge in "a
dug-out and were unable to render assist
ance. She was nineteen years old, and
but recently married. Her acquaintance
| speak of her in the highest terms, and the
terrible fate which beiel her east gloom
over the entire community The family
recently arrived from Illinois


On arriving at the top of the small hill
overlooking beautiful little valley, we
saw some distance smoke issuing from a
stone house. The fences were either
burned or torn down. Dead horses, mules
hogs and other stock could be seen here
and there, and many that had been par
TALLY burned We're staggering around. 1t
proved to be the residence of Charles
Bergren, a thrifty young Swede-a bach
elor-who had fine farm and plenty OF
stock. Mr.. Bergern was lying in the
house badly burned. His head was terri
bly, swollen and his left arm and ankle
burned TO crisp. 1t appears when he
saw the fire coming. he started to a neigh
boris to help put it out He had gone but
Il short distance when he met the fire.
Seeing the attempt to stop. the fire was
useless. he started for home as fast as he
could After running short distance he
became satisfied that unless he could reach
A small stream. he would be burned up,
and changed his course torit. just before
arriving there be was enyeloped in flames.
BY an almost superhuman effort he reached
the water and plunged in. His clothes
were nearly burned off. but as he is not
burned internally. and has good consti-
tuition. strong hopes are entertained of his
recovery.


As looked over the blackened fields
and prairies wondered how any Of the
houses escaped In many instances the
burning grass would strike the frame
buildings and yet not ignite them. In some
cases the fire seemed to have divided and
not burned buildings or haystacks greatly
exposed; in others, houses and barns far
away from the prairies or combu>tible ma
u terials were consumed. In one instance a
man moved his household goods to what
he supposed to be a place of safety; his
house was saved and goods burned. Many
men had their hands or faces scorched.
II Nearly every man met looked as if he


I'll, Il
. Young lady attempted to cut loose some
y horses in the stable, but being of slight
y build. she was carried by the wind to the
: road which probably saved her life


= There was considerable destruction OF
r timber on the creek bottoms. and that on
the prairies was somewhat injured The
destruction of fruit trees was not large.


The entire loss cannot fall short of sac.
600. This may seem a trivial sum to those
, living in the older portions of the State,
bnt when it is remembered that the coun-
y try is new. and the space burned over


small. il will be seen that it is really large.


Many men have lost the savings of Years
-nearly all they have. Fortunately, the
'y grass will soon be green and but small


proportion of the stock will suffer


Ii has been frequently asked: ''Why
- did not the settlers protect their property


bv burning around their premises, back


firing. &c.9" Many have long ago burned


what they supposed sufficient to protect
them, but the wind was SO terrible and the


grass so dry that the burning stuff was
carried very long distance. Burning
corn-husks, with tumble-weeds and tufts
I. of grass would be carried whirling in TIE


air tar beyond any fire-break or field, and


dashed against houses. barns and hay
a stacks 1t is impossible for any human
" beings to stand in front of such a line OF
fire. One gentleman informed me that he


had a neck-yoke to his wagon which was


living in the road where there was no COM
!. bustible material, vet it was burned.
b have seen and fought many prairie fires,
b. yet never saw such destructive one
I'd I'd The grass appears to be burned TO the
lr. roots. and the ground swept as with d
nd broom The grou'd burned over is about
y 10 miles long by 3 wide-T TOpekd G0BI