The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-10-19
THE CHICAGO FIRE.

L report received in New York late Weducs-
day afternoon, that fire had broken outagain
in Chicago, in a quarter hitherto uutouch
ed, proved untrue. Gen Palmer, Secretary
of the Western Union Telegraph Company
Oh reading the report, telegraphed directly to
Gen. Stager, the Superintendent of the Com
pany, now in Chicago, for confirmation, and
received the following reply:
CHICAGO, October 1914 2. M.-The fire
started in small building on Thirty first
street, but was speedily put out. Incendia-
ries are busy, but seven or eight have been
hanged or shot at sight. (Sigued) ANsos
STAGER.
The following dispatch effectually disposes
Of the rumor of renewal Of the FIRE.
CHICAGO, October 1919 z. M.-Thc fire
has not broken out again.
The loss of life is undoubtedly large, the
estimates being not less than fvo hundred
souls; but this is doubtful The rush and
confusion hitch have separated and divided
families, and the fact that those who have
persisted are unknown, being mostly caught
under falling walls, renders the anxiety and
suffering CT the people most deporable. All
the missing ones are supposed to be dead, al
though many Of them will perhaps be found
to besaie. Many poor people are reported
going through the streets raving maniacs,
their minds having given way under the ac-
oumulation Of horrors, suffering losses and
personal troubles, through which they have
passed during the passed forty-eight hours. /,
The German agent Of the Htna Fire In
surancc Company, of Hartford, announces
that the Company will pay every dollar of its
insurance The Hartford Phoenix Company
says it will pay its losses.
A careful survey Of the insurance compa-
MES shows that there are witten on the property
destroyed over $2O0,00O,0O0. Add another
$500. 100000 to this sum. and fair estimate
can be reached of the loss. --s9
The vast plain in Chicago is covered with
people wandering about seeing evidences of
wealth that has completely vanished in
flames and smoke. A few business men with
nerve are seeking houses for business on the
west side. Rooms that rented last week for
$50 now readily command $4,000. There
are not many Of these, but enough to allow a
few business men to start.
When the fire was raging, was to be seen
the most remarkable sight ever beheld in
this or any other country. There were from
SO, 600 to IS, 600 men, women and children
fleeing by every street and alley to the south
ward and eastward, attempting to save their
clothing and their lives. Every available We
hicle was brought into requisition, for which
enormous prices were paid, and the streets
and sidewalks presented fearful sight
thousands of persons and horses inextricaby
commingled. Poor people, of all colors,
shades and every nationality, from Europe,
China and Africa, mad with excitement,
struggled with each other to get away.
Hundreds were trampled under foot, men
and women, loaded with bundles and their
household goods, to whose skirts were cling
ing tender infants half dressed and barefoot
ed, all seeking places Of safety Hours at
forwards they might have been seen in va
cant lots, or on the streets far put in the su :
burl s, stretched in the dust.
While there are many instances of gener-
GUS devotion on the part the rich and poor
in dividing with the destitute, there are pain
full instances of meanness and selishness.-
One person was trying to remove valuable
papers from an Office, and asked two fremcn
to help him, but they refused, unless he paid
them fifty dollars. These papers were de-
royed. se9. oo
Drivers Of Express wagons have taken 500
and even $500 for an hours use of their We.
hicles in getting the distressed people away
from danger Among the sad scenes wasthe
appearance of men and boys bestly intoxi-
Gated around the streets of the North Division,
where the saloon keepers stocks Of liquor were
turned INTO the streets