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Fast Work Saves Home From Prairie Fire

The long grass around our home increased the danger of prairie fire taking our homestead in the early days in Iowa. One morning, Father was taking milk to the creamery miles away when the sky began to look like fire could be raging toward our home. When he got to the creamery, he learned that, sure enough, fire was working our way.

People rushed to their homes, got plows and horses and worked as fast as they could to build fire breaks. When Father got home, Mother was out working with sacks and water. With a lot of fast, hard work, she and Father saved our home. That was in 1886. How times have changed for the better!

Mrs. Jens A. Holst
Marquette, Nebraska


Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then CAPPER’s WEEKLY asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from CAPPER’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.