The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-11

RE-BRECTION OF THEIR ELEGANT EDIFICE.
Two companies OF United States infantry ar
rived here this evening. and will be at once put on
patrol duty.
HISTORY OF TIE CONFEDERATION.
CHICAGO. Oct. 10, 1871.
HOW THE FIRE ORIaMArED.
The following is an account OF the history OF the
disaster by those VINO witnessed and fought the
names:-
Late on Sunday evening o boy went into q stable
De Koven street. near the river, ON the west slde
to milk Q COW, carrying with him q kerosene lamp.
This was kicked over by the cow, and the burning
nuid scattered among the straw. This was the be-
ginning Of the great IRE. single extinguisher ON
the ground, or active work Of the police in tearing
down one or two shantaes. would have prevented
the spreading Of the flames, but the engines were
waited for, and when they arrived the remen, stu
pened By their exertlons OF the frat nre on satur.
day night,
WORKED SLOWLY AND CLUhsILY.
Their efforts unavailed. the wind from the south
west blew q gale, rapidly the names shot from
house TO house and board yard to board yard, until
the district burned on the night before was reached
Meanwhile
rHE FLAKES HAD CROSSED TIKI RIVER
noltn Of Twelfth street the south side and made
for prick and stone and business blocks, railroad
freight depots and manufacturing establishments.
The full extent Of danger was realized for the first
time; the Fire De partment, already tired out,
worked like heroes.
THE suPINENEss OF THE AUTHORITIES.
The Mayor and city government, that had supinely
rested. now began to exert themselves but the op-
portunity nad been lost. The time when thorough
organization could have blown mp buildings or pre-
pared for the emergency was neglected and 1t was
now a fight for l:fe The wind blowing stiff gale
had possession OF che Aames ana the beautiful
buildings-Chica9o's sInry--iaV hnfarn ihem- Har-
rlsOn, Van Buren,, Adams Monroe and Madison
streets were soon reached, the Intervening blocks
from the river to Dearborn street the east being
consumed Three quarters Of . mile Of brick blocks
were consumed as II by magic.
IGNORANT OF THEIR DANGER.
1t being Sunday proDriet0rs and employees were at
home, utterly unconscious Of wha. was transpiring.
Those who saw the flames supposed 1t was the re-
mains OF Saturday nights fre, and having conf
dence in The Fire Department were unconcerned.
ALIVE TO THE TERROR.
Between eleven and twelve O'Clock a rulnor got
abroad that the fire was IN the business portion OF
the city. Then the people commenced moving.
Horses were brought INTO requisition to take the
propr. etors and Others to the connaeraton. what
scene met their gaze The Board OF Trade, Court
House. Western Union Telegraph and Associated
Press office and hundreds OF other buildings were
all aname. The air was filed with live Goals, which
were hurled to the north ana east beacon Of de-
struction.
THE FIRE ENGINES WE'RE POwERJ.Ess
for saving. All that men could do was to blow mp
buildings, but this awaited little.
the Times, tribune, F0st, Republican, Journal
and other newspaper offices, the Western News
Company block Field Il Letters establishment, the
Drake block recently built, Farwell h Company's
ell were soon In ashes. 1t seemed that no sooner
had tile name struck wall than 1t went directly
through and a very few minutes suffced 10 destroy
the most deliberately built structure, the walls
melted and the very bricks were consumed.
THE WOODEN PAVEMENT TOOK FIRE,
making continuous sheet Of name two miles long
by mile wide. No human being could possibly
survive many minutes Block after lock fell, and
the red hot coal shot higher and higher ana spread
farther and farther until the north side OF Lake
Street was u V0st HOuutdH VI udtiic IOu Jig IINcl
to the lake. At one time, 80 hemmed In were the
people that was expected thousands must perish.
Sherman, fremont and other
HOTELS WERE EMITTED OF THEIR GUESTS,
and remarkable sight presented itself in the hur-
rying throngs, with trunks, sacks or bags on their
shoulders fleeing amid flames for therlIve Those
who could made for the remaining bridges, others
got next to the lake shore and so SOUTH one block
in all the vast business section remained at day
light viz:-the tribune bl 0ck. The Custom House
and H0nore block In Dearborn street, had burned
and those who had fought the names here thought
at least this block could be saved.
FIGHTING THE FLAMES
patrol OF men. under sam Mcdill swept on
live Goals and put out names In the sidewalks and
another lot OF men, under the direction OF Mr.
Joseph Medlll, watched the roofs. At half-past
seven O'Clock these appeared safe, and most or the
men went to get rest or food. number went 10
sleep in the Tribune Building. But there was
A CHANGE or WIND.
The danes reached Wabash avenue, State street
and Michigan avenue. and soon Mcvicker's Theatre
caught fire. In few moments the Tribune was in
Names and at the last moment the sleeping men
were aroused and rescued from the flames. BY ten
O'Clock In the forenoon this remaining block was in
ashes
THE FIRE STAMPEDE.
Now was TO be seen the most remarkable sight
ever beheld in this or any country. There were
from 1000 TO IS. 600 men, women and children fee
inQ by every available street and alley to the south
xk.ssss Ia sAun