The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-03
ALumhrrlnr Town burned.

The following In the aad story of the
burning Of the town Of PcHhtigo, Mich
igan Advancing steadily onward the
fire at last enVeloped aud destroyed the
little town of Peah,igo, We have still
to receive full accounts of the tragedy,
hut Nc know already that five hundred
unfortunate people have persisted. The
village Is some seven miles from the
harbor. and ON Sunday evening the
same wind probably that worked the
ruin of Chicago, blowing with the force
of hurricane, famed the smonldefing
lire In the forests around into "A blaze
and drove the fire into the village. This
was within q few minutes Of the time
when the Chicago fire broke out-he-
tween ten aud eleven o'clock Ia less
than ten minutes the entire village WAS
ia flames, many poor people, who had
retired for the night, had not time TO
escape from their homes, and were burn
ed alive in their own homes,
There Wns NO possibility Of checking
the flames aud the surrounding forests
presented one mass Of fire, The people
could only fy 10 the river for safety.
Those living in close proximity Ia the
water reached il aud Waded in ull II
reached their neclss. Here they remain
ed from two to four hours and by wet
ting their heads were able to escape with
life. But many We're badly burned
about the head and face while in the
water. Many We're crowned. Others
women and children, died from the eN-
posure. Those who lived only one or
two streets from the river were stricken
down by the flames and harmed 10 death
before reaching the water, whole families
were destroyed. In the morning the
streets were strewn with burned bodies.
Eight on nine bodies in one corner
were found near together. One family
consisting of father, mother and si1
children, were found dead together with
in three feet Of tho water Ii is imp0ssi-
hle 10 give a correct estimate Of the loss
Of life. II is supposed that the intimates
Of the Peshtigo Company's boarding
house, one hundred and upwards IN
number nearly all persisted. Every re-
port from the neighborhood settlements
bring information Of houses burned and
many lives lost. The immense pail
factory and large sawmill, aud the stores,
tffEuENNr AANNAAhAANtH ann AAAAe WIZ hAAA u
ed and every kind of property destroyed.
A soon as the fire had sufficiently
subsidod, all that we're able went 10 the
relief Of the sufferers. Blackened,
,harred corpses were lying in every direo-
ton, with their clothing as "A general
thing, nearly or quite burned OF. Many
dead bodies were found in the river, and
many more have since been recovered.
A number have died from their bruises,
while Others are crippled or fearfully
disiignred. The most Imaginative mind
cannot begin to realize this fearful cal
amity much less my poor pen Ia describe
IT, The shrieks and grOans Of the dying,
and VI those who had lost near and dear
friends the ghastly aspect Of the black
ened cOrpses the shocking appearance
Of many who, badly burned aud almost
destitute of clothing, we're running they
knew now where: others in the last
agonies Of death, made a picture too
harrii sor contemplation. The sufferers
have all been taken TO Green Bay, and
other towns, where they will toe kindly
cared for, as hospitality is one Of the
marked traits of the West. The loss ta
the Pcshtigo Company, who owned the
factories and most OF the town, besides
large pine lands. is estimated ai three
million dollors, besides the loss Of their
extensive warehouses in Chicago