Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1914 — Muck Fires Have Caused Much Trouble This Year. [ARTICLE]

Muck Fires Have Caused Much Trouble This Year.

This ibas been a very bad season for muck fires. Probably some people do not understand what a muck fire fa. Muck land Is composed of decayed vegetation, Usually found in low and swampy places. Much of the muck land of this county has been drained of reeent years and it has proven very valuable as onion land and other crops are grown on it with fair success. The soil is very light and being composed of vegetable particles it burns readily when dry.. The fires have occurred at various places In, the past few years, sometimes continuing for several weeks. This year being especially dry. the files have been more frequent, and have burned faster and deeper. The fires sometimes eat down several feet below the surface and the cave-in sometimes is two to four or five feet deep. The land can be brought up to its former state bdt it requires time. This yWr a fire hoe been burning for some time on John Eger's farm near Gifford. Some tein acres of oats were burned and the fire extends over quite a large area. Nothing can be done to put it out and ft burns Until soil of different composition fa, encountered or until heavy rains stop it. It fa said that the muck has been known to bum all winter. Brobably the most destructive fire has occurred on the farm of John T. WHIM* which fa occupied by a man named Bollock. Something like 45 acres In Section 23 has been burned and materially damaged. Firman Thompson has also had some muek fires on hte farms near. Barr. ' A report circulated that John Eger 'had lost several head of cattle owing to their having wandered into the burning muck fa without foundation, Mr. Eger, states. He has hod no cattle near the fires.