Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-13
NO. 243.
The Chicago Fire.

The fire at Chicago has Mortified the public.
1t is a calamity which cannot be contemplated
by the strongest natures without shuddering
To think of it in all its terrible circumstances
causes the blood to run cold through ones
veins, and fairly makes the hair stand on end.
But few days ago the city was as usual.
Business was active; men and women walked
the thronged streets in perfect security;
Change was crowded; pleasure in thousand
forms delighted the denizens of one of the
most remarkable cities of which we have any
knowledge. The very buildings of marble
and granite and iron seemed to be secure for
ages to come. Everything was going on just
as though the future was all provided against.
Suddenly there is an alarm of fire. The citi-
zens generally soon learn that it is an obscure
part OF the city. and things in the main 90 on
as usual. BY late bedtime the fire is subdued,
and Chicago wakes up on Sunday morning
prepared to attend to the duties of the dav
quite in the ordinary way. No doubt the
churches were crowded, and there was elo-
quent preaching and admirable music, as is
the wont in that noted city. But the morning
of another day told different story. The
whole city was in paroxysm of terror. For,
meantime, the fire fend had broken loose
again, and seemed irresistably bent upon the
complete destruction of the magnificent city
OF the lakes. And at this hour the feaxful
calamity of Chicago is receiving the profound
est sympathy of the whole of Christendom.
Every one feels that an awful event has taken
place. 1t is difficult under such circum-
stances soberly to relate the events of the ter
rible disaster as they have occurred; but we
shall endeavor to do as well as We may be
able. In order to get an intelligent under
standing of the situation it will be as well to
give first #
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CHICAGO.
The city, as is well known, is Immediately
on the shore of Lake Michigan. The Chicago
river flows into the lake not far from the
middle of the city north and south. A little
less than a mile from the lake the river di-
vides into two branches, which are called re-
spectively the North and South branch.
There are thus, as a matter of fact, three di-
visions Of the city which are recognized in
law, also, and known as north, south, and
west divisions. Of these the west division is
the largest in extent, and contains the most
people, but the great bulk of the business of
Chicago is done in the south division. Here
are the banks, the great hotels, the boards of
trade, the offices of all the daily Journals, the
great wholesale houses, most of the theatres,
the opera house, insurance offices, the apart
ments of spectators, &C., &c. There are
many manufactures in the north and west di-
visions, but the great active life of Chicago is
south of Chicago river between the lake and
the South branch. In this space, for dis
tance of about eight blocks from the main
river, the great business operations of the city
are performed. This part of the city has been
noted for its great and splendid buildings.
Here for many consecutive blocks were vast
structures beautiful in design and wonderfully
sr,atan r
street on this side of the river, and the second
street from the principal stream, is not sur
passed by any street in America. No part of
broadway for so great distance is equal to
1t. AT the head of this street on the lake is
the great L Union Depot, built of stone and iron,
and about as large as the Capitol of the United
States. Three blocks distant was the Tre-
mont House, larger than any hotel in Wash
ington, now in ruins. The street crossing this
and parallel Herewith were all built up with
noble structures-magnifcent proofs of the
enterprising spirit of the citizens of Chicago.
One of the crossing streets is the famous
| Wabash avenue, the most noted city drive of
the metropolis, adorned with thousand beau
tiful residences and many great churches.
Michigan avenue, fronting on the lake, is
another. In point of residence this is the
Fifth avenue of Chicago.
The north division, near the lake, has many
/ uuc IcoluSHCCss WHlCn are uOttu lOT cXttnSfc
grounds and elaborate ornamentation by trees
and shrubbery. But there are no such great
rows of business houses here as ON the south
side; neither are there on the west side; but
this part of the city does much business, and
always wears an animated look. Some of the
finest residences of the city are here, and also
some of the most noted churches. In all parts
of the city except the northern part-for, say
three quarters of mile from Chicago river
| thara tu,ildipua ha otf
is not, in all parts of it, compactly built. 1t
is about eight miles long, north and south,
and about five miles wide being, in fact, one
of the most extensive cities in geographical
are, in the world. In front of the city is the
lake, in rear a vast expanse OF prairie. So
that when the winds do blow at Chicago, they
blow with great force. Such has been the
case during the terrible visitation of which we
are speaking.
THE FIRES SATURDAY NIGHT.
There were two fires Saturday night. One
was in Wells street, in the south division,
but, though ordinarily it would have created
some excitement, it is hardly mentioned since
the great calamity that followed. On the same
evening, however, there was a great fire on
the west side. 1t consumed several blocks of
buildings, but was at length subdued by the
fire department. BY these fires many families
were rendered homeless, but the buildings
were mostly poor, and the loss was not esti-
mated at more than half million dollars.
Except as a temporary inconvenience, this
disaster would not have at all interrupted
the activity and progress of Chicago. But
on Sunday night, about nine o'clock, began
THE GREAT CONFEDERATION.
Which ragged with unabated fury, until it
laid in ruins more than one-third of one of
the most fourishing and enterprising cities
of modern times, and turned homeless in the
streets and country many thousands Of peo-
pie. If every house in the city Of Portland
were destroyed tomorrow, heartrending and
horrible as the calamity would be, itwould
still be less dreadful than that which has just
befallen the city of the lakes.
This great contia grafton hogan in the west