The Republican journal., 1871-10-19

like aold perpendicular shan of molten metal.
In other places it would dart out long stfeaks,
like mammoth anacondas, with kissing, fiery
tongues; then these serpentne shapes would
swoop down over the blazing path into the yet
unburned buildings, which seemed pierced and
kindled inStantaneously. There were also bill
lows of flame that rolled along like water, sub
merging everything in their course. Now and
then, as some explosive material was consumed.
the place would seem like the crater of a vast
volcano, putfs of smoke mid flashes of light and
millions of sparks and cinders being scattered
in all directions. Sometimes the air would be
full OF them, and gusts of wind would float
them like flocks Of fire birds hither and thither.
OccaSlonallt there were cnders of more than
two feet in length. Showers of these We're fall
ing, actually raining down everywhere. Our
faces were stung and our clothing now and
then set ON fire, until we got wet umbrellas to
hold as shields over us. There was a terrible
fascination in gazing upon the scene. 1t was
unearthly, hideous, terrific. Oar eyes seemed
riveted so that we could not withdraw Them
There We're miles of fire, mountains of flame,
waves of light. flashes. clouds, brilliant scinti-
lations. With the aid of glasses we could see
the streets thtonged with people flying for their
lives. Children were carried, screaming with
terror, women We're shrieking. men Were
shouting, and all running. We saw some old
aud sick and helpless carried on stretchers;
some apparently demented or Stupeted were
dragged along Close 10 their heels in hot pur-
suit came the helching, roaring and cracking
flames. In some places they actually advanced
as fast as a man could run. The most awful of
all was the thunderouS roar that seemed to roll
upward and outward from the centre of the
huge holocaust. Now there would be a report
like the boom of distant guns; again came Il
swapping like the rattle Of musketry. Horses
rushed frantic lkei through the streets. One
splendid team attached to a coach ran over the
Van Buren, bridge. which had been charred
and weakened. just as the mad horses had
passed the centre il gave way, and they plung-
ed down through the lurid glare INTO the scarlet
river below. There We're all sorts of scenes
happening some horrible, others ridiculous.
Here and there. when some tall building be-
came sheeted in flame. the walls would
weaken and waver like India rubber. 1t was
wonderful how they sometimes swayed almost
across the street and then fell with loud crash;
ihen a momentary darkness, and afterward
fresh gares of light from some newly kindled
fire. Even those streets that were paved with
the ,Wooten patents were masses OF live Goals.
The massive granite slabs were cracked into
thousand pieces. All this time the heat was
very great. BY and by it grew so intense that
no one could stand within blocks of the place.
over the roofs came gusts of hot air. sometimes
almost strong enough to throw one OFT his feet.
Our shoes were parched, the tin roof was hot,
and we We're forced down below. The greatest
sight to notice how the flames seemed to
ensulf the larger and more lofty Man>ard roots.
They went like paper. The hotel was crowded.
Al We're excited and fearful. Every moment
the reports came that the fire was nearing US,
and finally we knew that we could not remain
longer. Escape was the only thought. At
midnight the flaming host crossed the Adams
street bridge. All the shipping that had not
been removed was consumed. The tar and
other intlammables made an intense light, and
the heat can be imagined from the clouds Of
steam that came up from the river. The kero-
sene oil stores made an awful yet sublime spec
taele. as the flames seemed to penetrate the
very clouds. The huge iron reservoir at the
gas-works exploded with tremendous force
and sound. demolishing several adjacent build
ngS. Everybody seemed demorazed. The
very earth seemed actually gaping out fire,
flame and smoke. AS though the world itself
was to he swallowed no iii the contiagration.