The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-07-26
Destructive confagration in Chicago.

We are called upon to record another yer,
destructive conhagration in this city, by which
thirty buildings were consumed, with nearly
their entire contents involving total less o
! about Sl00 COO.
At half past nine o clock this forenoon. AN alarm
/ from box No. 20 called out the fire Department
and it was soon discovered that there was work
to be done. A fire had broken out in one of the
small, frame tenemeDts on the south side OF P0lk
street, few doors vest of State. The extreme
| dryness of the atmosphere, and the fact OF a
| strong wind blowing from the west, caused the
names 10 spread very rapidly among the WooG-
Ell buildings east of the one in which the hre
originated, ana despite the prompt action OF the
fire department., III short time the entire block
was III hames. Nor did the devouring element
contine its favages to the west side OF Stale
street. Leaping over to the east side, it soon
caught several of the highest buildings there,
and thus the coDflagraion became general. The
| buildings on either side OF the street were ell
| frame some of them were two and some three
| stories high. The upper stories were occupied
as tenements, the first stories were used primer
paliy as grocery stores, saloons and meat shops.
The rapidity with which the flames spread, aud
the utter confusion that ensued, rendered it in
possible that much could be done effectively, to-
wards saving the contents of the buildings, par
ticuarly those located on the west side OF the
street. Goods, furniture, fixtures, all went to
destruction, while several OF the tenants narrow
ly escaped with their lives On the west side,
tIlS h1lteS sweep Sbulu VI DIN street Ms lar tic
the alley, completely destroying the entire half
block, including Fish's livery stable,
which was the last building con-
sumed ON that side OF the street. Fortunately,
the horses in this sable-of which there were
several very valuable ones-were all saved,
though with difficulty
On the east side of State street the flames ex-
tended for half block north of Peck court and
east he far as. the alley, sweeping dwellings.
stores, barns, sheds, and everything OF the kind
before soem. AT one time the elegant edifce of
he fist Baptist Church was in danger but by
The strenuous efforts of the fremen, the flames
were kept from crossing the alley.
AS may be imagined, there was a grand scene
OF confusion and excitement in the streets during
tols c"niagration. Nearly fifty families were
uneeremoni0usy turned out of their homes
While the goods and furniture of numerous par
ties net actually inv AIDED by the destroyer, were
lumoled into the streets. Children who had lost
ihelr parents were running to and tro, looking
Tor their natural protectors, while parents were
wildly rushing through the streets trying to find
thelr lost offspring and mourning over the desc
laton OF their homes. AS usual on such ncca-
SONS, there was plenty of pick pockets and
thieves on the ground, who found an ample field
Tor me exercise OF their nefarous business. Be
tween guarding exposed property, watching
llght-hngered scamps, and keeping the dense
crowd OF spectators at bay so as to allow suffi.
Gent elbow room" for the firemen, the few pc.
'lcemen on the ground were kept more than bu-
sy. There were rumors of two women and a
enid having burned to death betw cen two of the
pnldlGgs, but our reporter could not traclkt the
report TO any reliable source and il is pro babe
that they were wholly unfounded.
1t Is impossible, in this connection, to give a
list OF the names of the parties who are losers
ny this confagration, or statement of their
individual losses. A bout thirty buildings in all
were destroyed with most of the contents, and
the aggregate loss will probably reach SLOT, 900 |
AT o'clock The engines were still at work on
me smoking ruins but the flames were nearly
subdued.- chicago Jonrnat.