He settled in
Peshtigo, WI, in 1838 and in August, 1843, built a fur trading post
about
four miles north of the village. He acquired
over 800 acres
of land including a 420-acre homestead near Harmony Corners. On October
8, 1871, the home became a sanctuary for many residents of the area
following
a prairie fire that killed over 1,200 people in northeastern Wisconsin.
Two weeks before the fire, some Indian friends came to the Place home
to
urge him to plow a large area of land in all directions surrounding the
home because "there was going to be a great fire." They also urged him
to pump water to fill every available container and to gather all the
blankets
and quilts they could find. The day of the fire, the Indians gathered
at
the home and, during the fire, they wet the blankets and quilts with
water
and carried them up ladders to place upon the roof of the home. It was
the only one in that area that did not burn.
(Ref. Marinette
Co. Historian, Oct. 1992).
Note: The Place Family opened their home at the time of the fire, and directly afterward, to all who needed treatment and shelter, doing all they could for strangers, their neighbors and friends until more help could arrive. Their large homestead was filled with survivors, the worst injured of which stayed in the house and the least injured took up temporary residence in the barn and outbuildings. Beside external burns, which left them wearing only light burned rags, nearly all suffered from blindness, painful severe breathing problems from scorched lungs, dehydration and severe exposure. Many were in shock; others could not speak and most swallowed even liquids only with great difficulty. For the least fortunate survivors, all that could be offered was a quiet death watch and respectful burial.
From the EAGLE
(newspaper)
Extra of Oct.
11 th, 1871