Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-09-06
CHICAGO.
obstructive and Appalling COnfla-
gratiOn-T Twenty or Thirty Lives
Losses about $4,000, 900.

grafton Twenty or Thirty Lives
Losses about s3,OOO,OOO.
CHICAGO, Sept. A most destructive
and appalling confagration occurred this
afternoon, involving loss of fifteen
to twenty lives and nearly three
millions of property. About 3 o.
clock fire was discovered in
the magnificent six story block on Wa
bash avenue, between Washington and
Madison streets, probably the most i'm
posing business block in the country, cost
ing about a half million, and covering
nearly an entire square. 1t included
twelve large stores, occupied by five of
the HEAVIEST wholesale dealers in the city.
The fire canght in the upper part of Nos.
ia and 1l6, at the south end, occupied
by Latin, Butler s. Co., paper dealers.
The height of the building was so i'm
mense that the engines could not force
the stream to the top, and the mansard
roof, which alone was of wood, soon was
in blaze.
The flames spread to Nos. 106 to 112 in
elusive, occupied by J. V. Farwell & Co.,
the largest wholesale dry goods house west
of New York; then to 104, occupied by
Kirkland & Ordwsy, boots and shoes; then
to the corner of Washington street, con-
tainIng the great piano forte and music
publishing establishments of Smith &
Nixon, and Lyon & Hesly. The whole
fire department seemed powerless to check
the flames, and in less than two hours the
entire block was blazing. A large num-
Der of men was set at work to carry out
goods, and while many were thus engaged
in Farwell's store, the lofty partition wall
fell crushing through from the top story
to the basement, carrying down number
of men-yet UnknOwn-intO the fiery
mass. Wild rumors are af1ost, that as
many as thirty or forty persisted, but 1t is
certain that fifteen or twenty were killed.
The scene was terribly exciting, streets
and house-tOps being crowded with peo-
pie, and much fear was manifested lest
the surrounding buildings should be des-
troyed. The presence of mind alone pre-
vented this.
The losses are as follows: ]. V. Far
well s. Co. 81, $50, O00; insured for 5000,
600, mostly in Chicago companies They
still have large stock in warehouse, and
III AObulA4C DuSlutS5 lO-ulOllph. l4alllu
81 Butler, paper dealers, 5000, 900, in
sured for $14O,OOO Kirkland, Ordway &
Co., boots and shoes, loss $3.50, 600, in
sured for $3.50, 600; Smith & Nixon, and
Lyon & Healy, $4,000 insured for
$75, 600; Field, Letter & Co. occupied a
portion of the upper story for storing
goods, loss 1920, 600, insured for $50, 600.
The building was owned by John G.
Drake, of the fremont House, Kirkland
6 Ordway, j. V. Farwell, and Thatcher
& Tale. Drake loses $3.50, 900, insured
for $l00,0 900; Kirkland & Co., 800, 900,
insured for 800, 600; Farwen, 1925, 900,
insured $75, 900; Thatcher, $50, 600, no
insurance; total stock 81, 40, 90; building
$500, OOO total insurance 81, $50, 900.
Several firemen were killed by the fall
ing walls. The building is totally destroy,
ed; very few goods were saved. Charles
V. Farwell, who lives some twenty miles
away was sent for by a special train. The
number and names of the killed cannot
be learned for several days, until the
Iuins are removed. This is the most de.
structive fire 10 property and life evel
known here, and produce intense excite.
ment. The building, which was only
constructed in the spring, was one of the
chief ornaments of the city.