New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-22
HOLLAND.
\ aichigaa City in AsIles-Particulars OF
the Great 0ntiaxra ton in Holland.

| tne Nsreaf CONFEDERATION in Holland.
From the Grand Haven Press, Extra October IL
STATEMENT OF THE MISSES PENNOYER.
No one though. the city hall was in spe
cial danger until ten or eleven o'clock Sun
day, but at that time a strcng wind settin
in from the woods, the fire swept over tn
city with wonderful rapidly.
Tie Whole OF River street, Eighth. an,
IN fact the main part OF the city. was soUl
in flames: Not a building on these two i'm
portant streets escaped. except one or tw,
near the long bridge
| The house where the Misses Pennove,
We're staying. recently purchased by DR.
Nichols from MI. Ferris, caught fire abou
| three o'clock Oh Monday morning. tn,
| ladies had packed their trunk, and hastil,
dressing themselves in wrappers. just man
aged to escape. In ten minutes after the
left the house fell in and burned to the
ground.
Lake View house went next and then the
fine City mills Of Workman. Geerlins i,
Go. This mill was one of the largest in
the State and was a magnificent sight when
envelOped in flames. The frame work was
soon stripped OF the siding. and then the
heavy timbers burned more slowly, but
nothing Of the mill escaped.
The ladies, after leaving the house for q
small mound near by. soon found them.
selves surrounded by fire. Mr.. George
Howard. whose efforts were indefatiyabie,
managed to assist them out of their preca-
rious position.
The portion Of the city where Professor
Charles Scott resided was completely de-
stroyed. and, the professor not being found,
1t was generally feared that he had fallen a
victim to the flames.
Mr.. Joslin, of the firm of Breyan s. JOS
lin. who kept the variety store. very clever
gentleman. and another Of the best citizens,
was actively engaged in rescuing persons
from the flames. He insisted on going once
more to the rescue; friends advised him not
to venture, but he would not he dissuaded,
thinking there were still lives to be saved
He did not return and is believed to have
been suliocateG and then burned to death.
The livery stables were eiuptied OF the
horses, which We're taken to the public
square as the only place o. safety Thou
sands OF people We're collected there.
Women and children were then running
about the streets. wailing and crying. un-
able to find their husbands and fathers,
brothers and sisters. Many females barely
escaped with their night clothes.
child ten years OF age was picked up
on the street burned to death
1t is impossible to tell how many lives are
lost. Some nine or ten citizens are missing,
but some may yet be found.
w hen the Misses PennOyer left men were
trying to keep the fire from the college
building. but the succeeding train reported
that these buildings. although, brick, were
burning: also. the Union school building
and all the churches except the Seceders' or
the True Reformed church" One woman,
IN leaving her house, had tied her baby in
a bundle: but in her hurry she took the
wrong bundle. and to her d.smay discov-
cred her mistake when it appeared too late
Of seven children she could only find two
Fortunately, however. the bundle contain
inc. the baby was picked up in the street.
and on being unwound revealed a babe
smiling sweetly at its rescuer. 1t was be-
!ieved that TIE other children were also |
found.
George Howard was very diligcnt in
picking up children ami women who were
running frantically about in places of dan
ger, and removing them in his buggy to |
places Of safety. In this way he saved |
lives. He sometimes had to CAP |
ture them by main force to save them from |
destruction.
Mr.. Cotsworth worked so zealously to |
save his house while burning that he lost |
lis eyesight and became stone blind,
Jervis' mill. the Plugger mill and various |
wood turning and furniture factories, plan
ng mill, etc, were destroyed.