The Davenport Gazette

Prairies on Fire.

The heavens are lurid every evening with the light from the burning prairies. To one who has never witnessed the sight of a prairie on fire it is a magnificent spectacle. Viewed on a calm evening it presents the appearance of a fiery serpent creeping along through the distance across the prairie. No emotions, save those of admiration and that calm feeling which a sense of security confers, are elicited. But seen when the winds prevail and the red flames roll onward licking up the dry grass, while the fences of the settler, his stacks and his cabin situated on some high ground, are all visible, and the master-element rushing on to dispute possession with the toil-worn man, then it is fearful, it is terrible, and we mentally pray for power to subdue the untamable element.