sons when many of the lakes and streams dried up. 

 These fires, fanned by the frequent high winds which 

 prevailed, spread with lightning rapidity and soon as- 

 sumed proportions which it was most difficult to deal 

 with especially where help was so hard to secure as 

 settlement on the Plains was unknown. 



All settlers and travelers were compelled to at once 

 to proceed to a fire in the vicinity when warned out by 

 a Policeman, or Fire Guardian, under severe penalty 

 for failure to respond to such notice. Towns were not 

 exempt and many instances have occurred where the 

 whole able bodied population of some Town or Village 

 was turned out to save the situation. The Police al- 

 ways took charge of such fire fighting parties, and 

 where horses and ploughs were available, the sod was 

 turned and a single furrow often checked a fire or ren- 

 dered it possible to back-fire. Digging and throwing 

 earth on burning grass was often resorted to and 

 where water was available, dampened grain sacks, 

 bunches of willow or other scrub were used to beat out 

 the flames. Another very effective weapon of defense 

 was a green ox hide which was pulled by a lariat behind 

 a galloping horse. 



As settlement advanced over the open country the 

 danger from fire increased as many burned old grass 

 in spring to secure feed, as did the Indians. Burning 

 old bottoms of hay meadows and marshes was another 

 prolific source of danger as from the settlers standpoint, 

 to make a success of it, the burning was required to be 

 done when the meadows were dry. Great trouble was 

 given to the police in later years in discovering the 



28 



