The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-11
THE PORTLAND FIRE.
Appeal from the Sufferers.

lOI buG uOuClSSS luudDlldlIs VI
the burned city are forwarded from all parts of
the country. The following appeal has been
issued from Portland:-
"The inhabitants OF Portland, smitien by more
terrible disaster than has ever fallen upon any
American town of like population constrained
to peal to their countrymen, whom God has pros
peTed, TO help them ia TINS great calamity
"1he undersigned are subcommittee appointed
by representative committee OF all Che religious
socenes III tie place, 10 solicit and receive contriDu-
tons ior the relIei OF or sun rers.
1--WE would fam nave waited day or two till we
could present more 1ormal and definite statements
OF our losses ana our wants out already we are
cheeTed by many generous gifts from aOroad, antic
pating appeal, earnest inquiries come to us
from our sister cities and towns IN TINS state ana
beyond, TO know wnat we want, and what they can
do to help us
ingly that We need contributions OF money in large
am cunt, and as soon as may be.
MANY thousands or our peopie are homeess The
first necessar,es OF ooo and temporary sne were
suppl ed by he activity OF our own citizens and the
adeO by the OF quartermasers stores, unoer the
immediate and generous sanction OF the Secretary
OF War; But every hour is revealing thousand dis
tTesslng wants, when can only be supplied oy the
judIc,ous application OF cash resources IN large ag-
gIegate amount.
AZ bousanGs OF tie sufferers have not a change oil
cloIhing, bed nor blanket. Never was a
conhagTatlon SO completely destructive. 1reat
number, OF tami les have nothing lett. Large guam
tltIes OF househo goods and other property were
rem owed again and again to places OF supposed
saiety, but devoured by the flames at asst
"Our hearts bleed for the aged men and
women, Tor the many hundt eds of little children,
and Tor the helpless sick, who hao to pass through
the horrors of that dreadful night, and now have
we cannot exaggerate this calamity Sympa-
thAng irienos VINO have come IN from other places,
declare that VII rumOrs OF the disaster were lar short
OF the hightlul rea ity.
"a sDace of more than one hundred and fifty
acr, in the very heart OF our CITY, but Yesterday
covered with beautiful Dwellings, with warehouses,
stores, manufactures, ana lar g number OF puDhc
confaPraiOn ragged more than twelve hours without
any check, and stopped ony wlen 1t reached the
vacant lands OutslOe OF the city. More than SIX
miles streets but yesterday closely lined on both
sides with buildings and thronged by busy, happy
people, now scarcely afford tOOtpaths through the
universal rum. We attempt TO find where the
homes of friends were standing three days ago,
and we lose ourselves in wilderness without one
| familiar object tor a guide.
80 relieve the innumerabe distresses of our
homeless women; to sustain our la0orinS men and
women while they are waiting employ men; to pre-
vent, as possible, the separation of tamiues;
TO cheer the hearts OF hundreds VINO at this moment
can do nothing but hover over their groups of little
children; assist those who Will soon erect humble
dwellings the sites oil their lost homes, and TO
the burden OF restoring these wastes, we need all
such pecumaIy contributions as the charity and
good JUDGMENT of those who see this appealI may
prompt them TO give.
such is the activity Of our people, and their dis
! position to take care OF themselves, that, with
ire div help Tor time they will soon rise above
this ca am ty; but the great number of be
| rellev ed demand large contributions.
"Countrymen! Friends Christians We know
| that You will help US. We rely the impulses of
your patriotic bTotherhoodon the mercles of your
| Christian sympathy. Humbly and thankfully we
acknowledge that we are still under the favor of AL
mighty God anu we ale sure that He will dispose
| your hearts to work with him for our relief.
| "COntnDutors are earnestly assured that all poss-
BILE care will be taken in the distribution of the
bounty we may receive. All disbursements will be
under the advice responsible general committee
| representing all classes, and watching over all sui-
e ing interests Every effort Will be used to admin
lister the supplies SIMPLY IN proportion to the neces'
| sites.
"Mr Spring, one OF the members of the SUBJ Com
| mittee will act as Treasurer OF money donations.
| eli any persons or committees are disposed, in
addition to pecuniary gitts contribute also Oread-
stufls, cured meats shoes, cloth or building mate
ria 5, they quested to give notice of the same
| TO Mr. Henry Fox, Chairman of the Executive
| Committee of Relief, who will advise as to for.
| waTding,
editors of newspapers are respectfully requested
| to publish this appeal.
| "P BARNES
| "JACoB MCCLELLAN
| SAMUEL E. SPRING.
| 'PoRTLAND, July 1866"
"CITY OF PORTLAND MAYORS OFFICE July 7,
1866 II earnestly commend the object OF the lore.
gomg appeal TO the friendly consideration of all
| benevolent persons.
| AUGUSTUS E. STEVENS Mayor"