Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-05-10

their contents. 1t seemed al one time as II
they must surely be consumed, as there was
strong wind blowing, and the steamers,
although working with might and main,
seemed unable to subdue the flames, which
were gaining rapidly on them. The roofs
of the burning buildings fell in one by one
then for a moment blazing up brighter than
before, would fade into mass of brilliant
Goals, shooting out occasionally a hungry,
angry, disappointed jet of lurid flames
seemingly anxious for further food TO feast
upon.
Along the docks down the river q number
of small frame buildings were allowed to
burn, as more valuable property needed at
tention. Several men who were attempting
to remove the valuables in the upper story
Of the main Office, narrowly escaped being
smothered TO death by the smoke, all the lad
ders and methods Of communication with
the street having been taken away in the
excitement of the moment. Their cries for
I help attracted the attention Of those below,
and they were finally rescued from their
perilous situation.
A large pile of lumber was thrown int
the river to prevent its being consumed.
Some, however, having ignited, foated down
the stream, adding, with its half-e xtinguish-
ed light, to the CHASTITY grandeur of the
scene
The loss is estimated by several officers
of The company at 100000, and this viii,
probably, in view of the damage to property
and the delay in carrying on the business of
the road, be very light estimate.
From the Detroit Post, April g.
The steamer Windsor, which was lying at
the dock, ignited almost instantaneously.
At the time the fire broke out, Capt. Clinton
was standing about 800 feet from the depot.
He started at once for his vessel, but the
flames spread SO rapidly that he found him.
self unable to reach her. Running down
the dock a short distance, be procured
small boat, and pushed cut into the river,
succeeding in arriving at the steamer in
time to save the lives of number Of the
hands
William Kirby, the mate Of the Windsor,
was on board in charge, and-as soon as he
discovered the FIRE, rang the bell for the
boat to swing clear of the dock, but before
nything could be done the vessel was in
flames. Seeing that no time waste be lost,
he thereupon ran aft, called the men to save
themselves by jumping into the river, and,
as they did SO, threw ife-preservers to as
many as he could see.
The number who persisted is as yet I'M
known. 1t is believed that at least 20 lives
were lost. The captain of the Windsor
states that Ii men, who are known to have
been upon that vessel, are missing. :,
A man in q state Of stupehed intozicstion,
known to have been on board one of the cars,
is believed to have been burnt to cinders, IS
no trace of him can be found.
A train of both passenger and freight
cars was standing upon the track at the de-
pot, about to start for Saginaw It consists
ed of six cars, one o. which was a sleeping
coach, containing some so orr 40 passengers,
most of whom had retired for the night.
Two of the cars were totally destroyed, in
Guiding the sleeping coach, which was
valued at 1000. .'.t
There are always in times Of danger some
singular individuals who, for their quiet
elf.control and cool and steady determine
ton to acquit themselves like men, deserve
special commendation. There was at least
one such upon this occasion. John john
son, q colored man. who had charge Of the
sleeping car attached to the Saginaw train,
saw the fire break out, and, with true eour-
age, quietly requested the passengers to re-
main in their seats, as the train would, he
believed, be drawn out Of the depot. Find
ing, however, that the track ahead was
blocked with freight cars, rendering it i'm
possible for the train to move, he at once
turned his attention to saving the passeng-
ers. After getting them all out, as he be-
lieved, although the car was wrapped in
flames, he examined carefully every berth
to put the matter beyond all question, and
then left the car himself.
VIM. Kirby, the mate of the Windsor,
whom We have already referredt to, and who
remained on his steamer, until literally
scorched with the heat, when finally driven
to jump overheard, was thrown heaving
line. With true salorlike heroism, he quiet
ly sang out to the parties thus rendering
helping hand: ssThrow it to some one else"
Among the losers is the chief editor Of
The Post. Gen Carl Schurz. He had two
large boxes in the depot of the Michigan
Southern railroad, containing, among other
things, very valuable portion of his libra
ny, a collection of fine geographical and mi
litary maps, collection of Photographic re-
productions Of the best paintings in the
gallery of Madrid, several volumes Of ma
nuscript, a number Of letters from Mr.. Lin
coin and other prominent persons, and all
his correspondence with his family during
the last twelve years, containing an a..
most complete diary of the political and
military events with which he has been con-
nected. The loss is very severe one as
far as the peeuniary value of the contents
off he boxes is concerned, but, as many Of
the articles destroyed cannot by any posi-
bility be replaced, it is irreparable.
The scenes on the river beggar descrip
ton. The burning steamer, swayed to and
fro by the changing evolutions of the tide,
with the decks and sides covered with
drowning, burning men, whose cries,
groans, prayers, and imprecations could be
heard above the noise of the frcmen on the
shore, and the shouts of their rescuers on
the water, presented spectacle of grand
and awful snblinity, never TO be forgotten.
Indeed their cries were plainly heard on the
Canadian side of the river, and their ago
nized pleading conferences, as hope gave
way to fear and they sank to rise no more,
were discernable by the lnrid glare of the
land and water fires, to those WHO llnedtthe
shores, and whose heartfelt sympathies and
they had, although unable to
offer assistance. 81 ?,
A LONDON correspondent gives the follow
ing anecdote of Nathan Rothschid:
The bank of England having refused to
discount large bill drawn on him. be
gathered all thepfve pound notes he could
procure in England and on the continent,
\ 1, Al IL