Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-23

through the day, and had succeeded in turn
ing the course of the fire. In the evening,
however, the wind suddenly changed, when
the fire burst upon the Inflated village in all
of its maddening fury, accompanied with Que
of the most terrible tornadoes on record; and
in less than one minute after the first house
took fire, every building was in flames. The
people had very generally retired, perfectly
exhausted with the exciting labors ofthe day,
and were obliged to rush from their beds to
the river and throw themselves into it as
last resort; and the scenes that followed were
heart sckening in the extreme. Hundreds
were roasted alive, even in the river, so in
tense was the heat. Many whole families
persisted in the flames or were suffocated by
the smoke. In two hours the entire village
was in ashes, and those who were fortunate
enough to escape death, were obliged to re-
main all night in the river, constantly bath
ing each other to prevent the sure fate of
their fellows; and the scene that the morning
sun disclosed cannot be described. People
were mournfully searching for missing friends,
with scarcely any clothing on but their night
clothes, children were crying with hunger,
and nothing could be obtained but a small
quantity of raw cabbage and beets, which
were eagerly devoured. Men who were able
to move were sent across the bay, distance
of II miles, to the nearest point to obtain
provisions. Steamboats, On their way through
when they learned the news, hurried to this
place with all possible speed and returned
Immediately with surgeons, nurses, food and
clothing, and since that terrible event busi-
ness has been comparatively suspended, except
ing the laudable business of aiding the suffer-
ers, and with sad countenances but warm
hearts the community are pressing on in the
path of duty, actuated by the noble principle
of benevolence, so striking characteristic of
the western people. Outside cities and vii
lagos are nobly and generously sending in
supplies, among which are Madison, Mil
waukee, Fon Du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton,
Neenal, Barraboo, Oconomowoc, Rio, James
vile, Edgerton, Ripon, Racine and Berlin.
The following despatch from His Excellency
Governor Fairehild was received Thursday
morning:
Madison, Oct. II, 1871.
Hon. A. Kimball, Mayor of City of Green
Bay DRAW on me for $4,000, whenever
needed The State will give more if neces-
sary. TSigned] LUCIUs FAIRcHILD.
Boats are constantly bringing in the suffer-
ers and carrying supplies, and large hall
has been converted into hospital, and gen.
erously provided with surgeons, nurses, cook
and every heart and purse are opened to the
wants of the suffering. Thousands ofdollars
have been contributed here, and up to the
18th, 20 car loads of everything needful had
arrived, and were Immediately distributed
here and forwarded to the sufferers on the
East and West shores. But Peshtigo is not
alone destroyed. A great many other places,
among which are Mennekaunie, Brussels,
New Franken, Birch Creek and williamson
Vile, have been laid in ashes. The latter,
small settlement about four miles east of the
head of Little Sturgeon bay, containing 50
Inhabitants, and but one escaped unframed,
while SO persisted in the flames. Three fami-
lies from Richmond, Maine, miraculously es
capped at Peshtigo, while two whole families
from the same place by the name of Holt and
Seyers, have not been heard from, and have
no doubt persisted. Hundreds of heart-rend-
ing instances could be mentioned but these
general facts must suffice and leave the read
er to his Imagination. But Green Bay and
Fort Howard can well afford to be generous,
as they were encircled for many days by the
fire with no place of refuge but the rivers
and lake, and but for the timely aid Of
shower might have been to-day among the
places that were. M. {. 7.