22 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



was the destruction of about fifty fence posts. The fire 

 was burning for three days and was extinguished by back- 

 firing and using wet sacks. About twenty persons helped 

 to save their homes. The weather was dry and windy 

 and had been dry three weeks. 



MARSHALL COUNTY. 



L. J. Tenald, chairman town of Esplee, November 6: 



A fire which started the 3rd instant and burned all 

 night burned over 4, ooo acres of swamp, meadow and 

 brush. Destroyed a house, stable and ten tons of hay; 

 damage $ 1 50 to $ i 75. Between fifteen and twenty people 

 assisted in putting it out Weather dry and windy. 



Same November 15: 



On the 1 4th instant a fire originating on section 17 

 burned over 5,000 acres and destroyed hay of the value 

 of $250. About fifteen people assisted in putting the fire 

 out. Weather dry and windy; had been dry about four 

 weeks. I have made inquiries but it is difficult to fix re- 

 sponsibility for the fire. 



Same November 16: 



During the fire of November i4th the little daughter 

 of JohnByland was returning from school and was so badly 

 burned that she died in twenty-four hours. Her father 

 went to meet and save her and had his hands so badly 

 burned doing so that he had to be taken to Thief River 

 Falls hospital. If rain had not come in the evening the 

 whole country would have been burned up. Have tried to 

 ascertain who caused the fire. 



John Simonson, chairman town of Excel, May 4: 



April iQth a fire on section 9 burned over 320 acres. 

 There was no time to call help and it was extinguished by 



