Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-10-14
Terrible Fires in Chicago.

CHICAGO, October 81 A. M.-The most
terrible conhagration that ever occurred in this
city broke ont about IL o'clock tonight, and
having already swept over six entire blocks, is
still raging with almost undated fury. The
fire started in large planning mill situated be-
tween Clinton and Canal and Van Buren, and
jackson streets The wind was blowing very
fresh, and the flames spread with almost in
credible rapidity, and in few minutes the en-
tire structure was q mass Of fire. The imme-
date vicinity was built up mainly with small
wooden tenament houses and two-story bull
dings occupied as groceries, saloons, etc. The
inmates Of many Of these houses, started from
slumber, had barely time to rush out in their
scanty night attire, leaving their household
goods to destruction.
100 A. M.-iThe fire is apparently raging
as free as ever. A block of buildings on the
north side of Van Buren, street, which it was
thought an hour ago would be saved, are now
wrapped in flames. The elevator is safe so far,
and the fire seems to be spreading South and
West. notwithstanding the wind is now deci-
dedly from the South, and blowing hard.
October 9-l:45 A. M.-To-nisht is the
most awful in the annals Of the city. The
fire which commenced at 10 2. NJ. has already
swept over a space of at least three times as
large as that Of last night, and is still rushing
on with greater fury than has marked any
stage Of its progress.
October % A. M.-The fire is raging with
increased fury, and has spread almost with
tho velocity of the wind, and has now reached
West Monroe street, distance Of moro than a
mile from where it started, and covers a
breadth of nearly Il half mile, reaching from
the river to Jefferson street.
The district already burned embraces an un-
usual number Of lumber yards ,'and the freight
depots Of the Chicago and st. Louis and Pitts
burg, Fort Wayne and Chicago roads. The
property already destroyed counts many mil
lions of dollars, and perhaps half is not told.
A large rumber Of lives have been lost, but
how many cannot be known until the fire has
been arrested.
Vessels in the river are catching fire in ev-
cry direction, and all in South river will prob
ably be destroyed. \ raging, roaviug hell oil
! fire envelopS twenty blocks Of the city.
New YORK, October 9-We learn from
officers of tho Western Union Telegraph Com
pany at Valparaiso, forty-four miles southwest
Of Chicago, that the Sherman House, Board oil
Trade Custom House, all the railroad depots
and tho Western Union Telegraph building al
Chicago are all in ashes.
CHICAGO, October 80 A. M.-The entire
! business portion Of the city is destroyed. All
the banks, express and telegraph Offices lex
cepting the Tribune office), six elevators and
the water works are burned There is no wa
ter in the city. Not less than ten thousand
buildings have already been destroyed, and the
fire is still raging. The wind is blowing a
gale.
ESGLEwooD, 10 miles from Chicago, 0cto-
Der 9-lIA. M.-The work of devastation
continues. More than one-half of the City is
destroyed, and the flames continue their raw
ages almost unopposed.
More than onc-half of the population are
now rushing through the streets in vehicles,
which are obtained at enormous prices, on
foot and in every other way, with the choicest
household treasures in their arms and on their
backs, in utter confusion, not knowing with
err to 90. Fearful suffering must follow, and
almost Immediately. Full l50 900 people are
at this moment homeless, not knowing where
to lay their heads or get anything to satisfy
the cravings Of hunger.
CHICAGO, October l0-Noon. The fire con-
tinued to burn all last night on the north side,
but this morning is under control.
October ll-1:S0 A. M-The wind is blow
ing gale but the fire is apparently suddued.
1t has not spread any since noon.
Nearly FIVE square miles of ground have
been burned over, S20OO0O,OOO of property
destroyed, and nearly five hundred lives lost.