Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-25
THE GREAT NORTHWESTERN FIRES.

Almost simultaneously with the confia-
grafton at Chicago, fire broke out i'm the
pine forests of Wisconsin and Michigan,
which has been one of the most appalling
calamities of which history gives any ac-
count. Not only has property been de-
stroyed to the amount of millions, but hui
man life has been sacrificed to q fearful
extent. A whirlwind of fire has swept
over large territory of country, obstruct-
ing every avenue of escape by falling tim
Der and burning bridges. Men, women
and children were forced to stand in the
water for hours in order to escape hor-
rible death. Gov. Fairchild, of Wiscon-
sin, has made it the subject of an
address to the people, in which
he calls upon the State to assist the desti-
tute, by sending TO their relief food, cloth
ing, blankets, &c. He has been urged to
call a special session of the Legislature, but
has declined to do so for the reason that
the expense of an extra session would be as
much, and perhaps, more than it would be
necessary to contribute to the relief of the
sufferers.
The following is from the Milwaukee
Sentinel.
From d. Nichols, who has Just returned from
Pehshtigo, we have obtained list of 800 who
are now known to have persisted in the terrible
conAagration which week ago literally con-
sumed that village and surrounding country.
More remains are being found every day by
parties engaged in searching for them. Many
bodies are SO disfgured by the fire that they
cannot be identified. A large number were, un-
doubleday, completely consumed, no relic of
the bodies being left to mark the place where
they fell on that awful night. Others are still
in the water, and cannot be recovered till they
rise to the surface.
To one visiting the locality after the fire, tn
great wonder is not that so many people should
have persisted, but that single individual re-
mains to describe the fearful scene through
which he passed. Certainly no one of the few
that did escape expected anything but certain
destruction at the time. Several families sought
refuge in large boarding house. but it quickly
took fire and burned. A few of the in
mates succeeded in reaching the river.
Many were burned in their flight, and a
mother was consumed in the building
with her five children, which she would not
desert. Mr., Beebee and his family were at the
store and attempted to flee to the water, which
was only half dozen rods distant, but all per-
ished in the scorchng flames except O little boy.
Several, seeing the hoplessness of escape, in
their desperation attempted to take their own
lives. Many families became separated in the
general confusion that followed the first alarm,
! and those that survived suffered the most in
tense anxiety concerning the fate of the others.
some, gaming secure position, atterward lost
their lives in their vain search for their friends
A family from the East was visiting with Mr..
May, and the whole of both families were burned
up together. ...f
Many who were saved owe their lives to the
exertion of others who were near them, and a
| score of heroic deeds were narrated TO U.S. In
| contrast with this we heard of human hyenas
who prowled over the ground as soon as the
danger of the storm was past, plundering the
| dead and helpless. Can human depravity ever
| find better illustrated? There are other tales
of suffering and anguish told of that terrible
night that are too narrowing to write or think
of. Verify, the Peshtigo horror will long be re-
membered.