Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-11
An Awful Scene.

| to burn all last night on the north side but
| this noon is under control. 1t is literally
| true to say there is nothing remaining of that
| side from the river north to Lincoln Park on
the north, and from the north branch of the
river on the west to the lake on the east
| This portion of the city except along the
main river where there was business blocks,
was occupied by dwellings. Two thirds OF
| the population of this district were Germans
and Scandinavians. These people are now
| homeless. Some of them are in frame build
| ings on the northwest section, and others
are on the prairie without shelter.
| Throughout the day yesterday renewal
| of the fire on the west side was looked for,
and change of five degrees in the direction
at any time would have led to that result.
There would then been no refuge for any.
Everybody had their clothing packed ready
| to start for the prairie at any moment, but
God averted this last perishable addition TO
| our already horrid situation. At shutdown
the wind lulled and at three o'clock this af-
ternoon the rain so fervently prayed for
| came. 1t did not rain long. Roofs Of houses
| and the ground have been wet so that now
| it is possible to have fires and cook food for
| the multitude.
| meeting of citizens was held in the First
| Congregational church in West Washington
street, which was continued throughout the
night. Measures were concerted to protect
what properly was left, and to provide for
| the homeless.
| Richard and Charles Crane of the north
| western manufacturing company, have con-
| trived plan which is being put into execu-
tiop, for providing water in case of fire
bMhkng out at any time. The machinery OF
their work is being used and boilers are be-
| ing used for pumping water from the river.
Fifteen hundred citizens were sworn in
last night as an extra police force, and the
| Secretary of War authorized Gen. Sheridan
to employ all available troops for guard, and
issued an order for 100000 rations. Five
hundred soldiers are on duty. This precau-
| ton was necessary, for remarkable as it may
seem, there were fiends who still sought TO
extend the disaster. Two fends caught in
the act of firing a house on the west side,
were arrested, and immediately hung to lamp
posts, one on 18th street near the river, and
the other three miles away in Clayborne
avenue, north side. This summary action
has checked the thieves and murderers.
| The arrival Of firemen and engines from,
Milwaukee, St. Louis and other cities has
apparently restored confidence. The Gin
cinnati train arrived this afternoon with four
engines, three from that city and one from
Dayton. They were II hours on the way,
| having to change their route twice, and then
| finally came via. Pigue and Logansville.
| There was an inexpressible pleasure in seeing
these experienced fremen go right to work
in business way. The vast plain is COW
with people wondering about seeing the evil
dence of wealth that has completely van
| ished in the flames and smoke. A few bust
ness men with some nerve are seeking
houses for business. In the west side rooms
that were rented last week for $50, now
|
many of these, but enough to allow few
business men start. The newspapers will
be started again in a few days or weeks, but
everything must come from elsewhere.
There is nothing left. There are thousand
people camped about the artesan wells tour
miles out, and perhaps as many more at the
lakes and other places near the prairie. The
people are being fed in the remaining church
es and school-houses. 1t was cold and chilly
this morning, causing great suffering. 1t is
now clearing off again, but instead of this
being welcome the people are praying for
more rain, so fearful are they of coninu-
ance of the flames. This is the situation
Further information will be sent as rapidly
as received. Meanwhile we give report Of
the fire and its incidents specially prepared
for the associated press by those who wit
messed and fought the flames throughout.
Late on Sunday evening boy went into
stable on Diskeomen street, near the river
and on the west side, to milk COW, carrying
with him kerosene lamp. This was kicke(
over by the COW and the burning fluid scat
tered among the straw. This was the begin
ming ofthe great fire. One single eXtinguish
er on the ground or activity of the police il
tearing down one or two shanties, would hav,
prevented the spreading of the flames. Blu
the engineer was waited for, and when ar
rived the tiremen stupefied by their exertion
at the first fire on Saturday night, worked
slowly and ciumsily, and their efforts were
unavailing. The wind blew gale from til,
southwest and rapidly the flames shot from
house to house, until the district burned tn,
night before was reached. Meanwhile tn,
flames had crossed the river north of l2tl
street on the south side and made for thu
brick and stone business blocks, railroad de
pots and manufacturing establishments. Tn
full extent of damage was realized for tn
first time. The fire department alread
tired out worked like heroes, and the Mayo
and city government that had rested now be
gan to exert themselves, but the opportunit
had been lost The wind blowing still
gale had possession of the flames, and tn
beautiful buildings, Chicago's glory, lay be
fore thnm Harrison Van Ruran Adam