Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-10-13
The most terrible confagration that ever


occurred in this country took place in Chi
cago on Sunday night, Monday and Tues
day last. All the business portion Of the
City was destroyed, embracing about four
miles in length and one in breadth, by which
more than 100, 900 men, women and child
dren were rendered houseless and homeless
and over s3o0,O0o,o0O Of property de-
stroyed, on which was an insurance, in va
rious companies, amounting to about $780,
100000, which will probably bankrupt all
the Chicago and Western Companies and
some of the Eastern Companies.
The fire originated, on Sunday night, by
a boy going into stable to milk a cow, car
rying coal oil lamp, which was kicked
over by the cow, setting fire to the stable,
which could easily have been put out, but,
owing to the inertness of the Police, spread,
and, by the raising Of the wind, produced the
tremendous fire which has destroyed SO
much Of this prospecting city, and which is
second to only one fire in the world, the
great confagration in London in 1866.
Among the buildings destroyed are the
following the Court House, built Of stone,
three stories high, with cupola and roof
of galvanized iron, every newspaper Office,
every theatre, six of the largest elevators.
the depots of the three most prominent rail-
roads, twenty churches, post-ofice, every
hotel except one, all the large wholesale
houses, and large quantity Of shipping in
the harbor.
The Nicholson wooden pavement, steep
ed in coal tar when put down, was aAamc
for two miles in length by one in breadth
at one time and added greatly to the spread
of the flames.
Brick walls melted away before the in-
mense heat and even brick pavements are
said to have been literally burned up.
About 500 persons are supposed to have
been burned to death.
The fremen were nearly worn out by a
fire which occurred on the previous night.
which destroyed four blocks, yet they work.
ed manfully, many Of them losing their lives
in the effort to stay the devouring element.
Firemen and engines were dispatched
from all near points. Several companies
went from Cincinnati and Day ton,
Ohio. From the efforts of these. and by
the fall of a heavy rain on Tuesday morning,
the progress of the flames was stopped about
noon.
Singular to say, during this terrible con-
iagration, men were found in various parts
of the city setting fire to property. Eight
of them caught in the act were shot Or hung
to lamp-posts.
This terrible calamity on the second larg-
est city in the Union has cast gloom over
the entire country, and the sympathy it has
called forth has responded in contributions
Of whatever would supply the wants of those
SO suddenly rendered needy and helpless.
The Western cities forwarded cooked supplies
as early as possible, the railroads carrying
everything without charge. The eastern
cities are contributing literally Of money -
Baltimore, not to be outdone in liberality,
has contributed, by her City Council, $780,
900, and her citizens $50, 900, with a solc-
iting committee still at work, which will
probably Increase the private subscriptions
to 100000, making total of $500, 900
contributed by that liberal hearted people.
Richmond, almost destroyed by like Ca
lamity, is taking steps also to assist by con-
tributions. Europe is also raising sum to
be forwarded. The sympathy created is
widespread and genuine, as exhibited by
works, and it is only to be hoped that the
donations may have reached the sadly strick-
en- people of Chicago in time to ameliorate, to
the greatest possible extent, the helpless and
suffering victims Of one Of the worlds great
est calamities.
The Democrats of Texas have elected Ill
four Congressman, with an average MAORI
n ~ IL