Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1904 — PRAIRIES ARE AFLAME [ARTICLE]

PRAIRIES ARE AFLAME

Four Hundred Square Miles Swept, with the Help of a Heavy Wind.

TWO DEAD MEN; TWO MIBSING

Much Destruction of Farm Prorerty, Including Live Stock—Towns in Danger.

Holdrege, Neb., March 24. —A terrific prairie fire, driven by a gale of wind, Is raging along the line of the Burlington railroad between here and Atlanta, a distance of seven miles. A farmer nemed August Olsen was burned to death, and two other persons who are missing are believecr to have lost their lives in the flames; The Burlington road sent a special train to Loomis, seven miles northwest of here, to prevent the fire ravaging the town. A strip three miles wide and ten miles long has already been burned over, and a large number of farm houses, barns and tfther buildings, and a great amount of live stock have • been destroyed. Charles Peterson and Wallace Johns lost their residences, and several farmers were entirely burned out.

Wind Fans the Flames. Wind carried the flames across the countryat a great speed, and all efforts to stop their progress have thus far provqd futile. The farmers and citizens from the towns along the burned and threatened strips are out fighting the fire, and the railroad company has a large gang of section hands assisting them. The loss thus far has been very heavy, but cannot be estimated.

Four Hundred Square Miles of Fire.

Bassett, Neb., March 24.—A disastrous prairie fire is raging in Rock county. The fire originated in Loup county, and driven by a high wind burned a strip from five to ten miles wide from the south line of the county to the railroad near Newport, a distance of forty miles. Thousands of tons of hay, many residences and outbuildings, and much stock has been destroyed. An armyof men and ten teams are fighting it. A special train carrying seventy-five men was sent from Long Pine and Bassett to assist the town of Newport, and it is now out of danger. No fatalities have been reported, but several of the fire fighters have been injured.

Another Life Reported Loit.

Loomis, Neb., March 24. —A prairie fire is raging two miles west of here, burning a strip four or five miles wide, destroying nearly everything in its path. Consderable live stock is reported lost in the fire. No definite report has been received- from the place where the fire originated. One man, name unknown, is reported to have lost his life. A heavy gale is blowing from the south. All attempts to check the fire are fruitless.