The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-10-10
S T ILL r A G. ING.
NO KgGPE FOR THE CITY,

NO KgGPE FOR THE CITY.
CHICAGO. October S.-rhc most terrible
onfligration that ever occurred in this
city broke out about II O'clock last night.
The tire started in large planning mill
situated between Clinton and Canal and
Van Eu'cn and jackson streets. The wind
WAS blowing very fresh, and the flames
spread with almost incredible rapidity, and
i'll few minutes the entire structure was Il
built up mainly with small wooden tenc-
mcnt houses aud two story buildings, oc-
cupied as groceries, saloons, Dc.
NARROW ESCAPES.
The Inmates OF many Of these houses,
startled iron Slumber, had barely time to
rush out in their scanty night attire, leav-
ing their household goods to destruction.
In several instances children were hastily
wrapped in blankets and quilts to break
their fall. and thrown from sccond-story
windows TO the ground.
A SECOND FIRE.
When the alarm sounded for this fire an
other Of mlgi!udc Was burning on Wells
street, near Adams. Several engines were
necessarily kept at work upon this fire. The
rest OF The engines in the city We're soon on
the ground, but before they arrived the fire
had spread over 80 large an area. and WAS
so rapidly spreading, that their efforts scclu-
cd of little avail. Between Canal street and
The river were several lumber yards, which
are entirety destroyed.
GETTING UNDER WAY.
Is | \. n. the fire had made Il clean
sweep from Van Burcn street north two
blocks IN adams, and west TO Clinton.
Three iilocts from the river between Van
Buren, and Jackson were burning. aud the
woodwork OF tic western approach to the
ADMINISTERED bridge was DESTROYED. 4
large coIlyard, cOntainin" thousands of
tons Of soft coal, situated between the
tracks Of the Chicago aul Alton and Fits
burg ANA Fort Wayne railroads and the
river, took fire, and burned iuriouSIy.
The immense gruin elevator Of Vincent
Nelson & Co.. one OF the finest in the city,
Is Immediately adjoining, and though in
tended 10 be ti!C-prsnf. there seemed but
little doubt that il would be destroyed, as
the iuicusc heat to which it was exposed, it
was almost certain, would crack the slate
with which it was covered, both roof anu
sides. \ change i'll the wind, however,
saved if. 1t containS Thousands of bushels
Of grain Of all kinds. \ block OF buildings
OH the north side Of Van Buren, street were
destroyed.
THE SCENE
in The vicinity Of the contlayratEou was in
dcscriballr. Halt of the population of the
city seemed to be gathered there. Tugs in
the river were engaged in towing to places
of safety the vessels moorcd in the neigh
borhood, while locomotives were hastily
pulling out great numbers OF cars standing
on the track in the flames. The glare from
the burning buildings lighted the streets
half Il mile away, SO that one could see to
read.
EXTENT OF THE FIRST DISASTER.
Between and 1 O'Clock this morning the
fumes were arrested. The space burned
over embraces four blocks, bounded north
by Adams street, west by Clinton street,
south by Van Buren, street, and east by the
Chicago river. Some four or five buildings
within the limits named remain uninjurcd.
The space burned over was covered with
lumber, coal, and wood-yards, a planning
mill, vinegar factory, and a large number
Of dwcling-houscs and saloons Of the
poorer class. A close estimate OF the en-
tire loss places it from $3.50 900 TO $500, 600 !;
probably insured for oue-balf.
On Jackson street ten houses, owned by
Alanson Watson, were occupied by twenty
eight families, who lost all they had. The
total loss on this street will probably not
exceed so, 900; oue.quarter insured. Only
tbree or four buildings, of small value,
were burned on Van Buren, street. The
iron yiaduct leading to the ADMINISTERED
bridge was damaged to the extent OF 81 900.
The tracks of the Pittshurg, Fort Wayne
end the Chicago and st. Louis railroads,
which run through the burnt district, are
damaged.
Mrs. Margaret Hadley, living on the
north side of jackson street, being sud-
dcnly surrounded by, flames, was unable to
cscaDe. Her remains, burned to cInders,
were found this morning near her house.
The entire amount of insurance will pro-
badly fall below $I50,000. Probably Two
thirds OF this is in Chicago offices.
Second Dispatch.
A GENERAL CONFEDERATION.
CHICAGO, October 9.-Saturday nights
fro s,1bsidcd after the loss of half million
dollars. Vincent, Nelson Il Co.'s immense
grain elevator was saved.
Another fire in the western district COM
meuced at 8 O'Clock Sunday night TWO miles
distant from the courthouse. =,
kt9 o'clock the fire had spread fearfully.
The flames approached the telegraph ONCE,
and the wires commenced falling. Twenty
blocks have been destroyed, and the WIND
is blowing Il. gale from the south, carrying
FLAMING BRANDS FLYING OVER TIE CITY,
threatening destruction everywhere. The
tower of the courthouse caught hre from
the flying brands.
The fire has reached west Monroe street,
q mile from its origin, and is beyond the
control Of tue tremcn.
Immense lumber yards, with frelshe &c.
nots have been burned, and the loss already
amounts to many millions. The Whote Guy
is threatened with destruction, ana the
panic is increasing.
Al balEpast 2 O'clock the photographers
abandoned the Western Union telegraph
office. a-
Third Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, october 9.-Tblrty blocks
have been burned, and the fire is still rag
ING. The mayor Of Chicago has sent
message to the mayor of st. LOUIS asking
for 10 I'd for the sufferers, saying,
sTHE CITY Is IN ASHES"
The Water Works are burned 10 the
Other accounts say that the fremont
Fl o,lse, post-otfice, telegraph building, ana
Merchants Exchange are burned. :,
The fire IL spreading south. a ran.
road superintendent telegraphs that Inc
fire has reached Wabash avenue lthe
fashionable quarter Of the city, ~
IL spreading rapidly. Els location. IS
three miles south Of Wabash avenue, and
he expresses the opinion that the fire VIII
reach him before night.