The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-10


Of fire envelopes twenty blocks of the
city. 1t is already within block OF
the telegraph office where this dispatch
is written, and sweeping onward a
whirlwind of flame, against which hu-
man efforts are powerless. and it is i'm.
possible to tell where it will stop.
The bridge across Van Buren street
is burned; the shipping the river, cars
on the track of the Chicago and Alton
and Fl. Wayne railroads, with the i'm.
mense freight houses-these are swept
away. No language can describe the aw-
full scene. The flames sweep through
blocks OF wooden houses with the rapid
ity of a prairie fire. Thousands of peo.
pie fill the streets, rushing out of their
dwellings, in many instances, barely
time to save life.
CHICAGO, October 9.-The Court
House, Sherman House, Michigan Cen.
trail and Illinois Central railroad depots,
the Chamber OF Commerce, Western
Union Telegraph Office, and all inter
vening blocks have been burned. In Or
der to stop the progress of the fire
southwark from this line powder was
brought from the Arsenal and number
of whole blocks blown up.
CHICAGO, October 9-ll:30 4. NJ
Over ten thousand buildings are burned,
The fire is still raging, coming south on
Wabash avenue. The city water works
are burned. The wind is still blowing
a heavy gale.
All the telegraph offices, the Briggs
and fremont houses, Postoffice, Board
of Trade, Rock Island and Pacific de-
pot, Pacific Hotel, Field, Leeters, j. '.
Farwell's, and in fact everybody is
burnt out from Twelfth street north
and from Canal street on the west side
to the Lake. All the city banks and
all the business part OF the city is gone,
and the fire is still raging. The water
has given out and the firemen are ex-
hausted. The loss will be more than
$5000OO,000. All business is suspended.
The fire has swept everything from
the Chamber OF Commerce to the lake
and river. The whole business por-
ton of he city is in ruins. Many
lives are supposed to have been lost.
The Cincinnati Fire Department are
making preparations to 90 to Chicago
with their engines.
The wind is blowing perfect hurri-
cane. and the fire raging with increased
fury.
The city is all destroyed except part
OF the west side. The entire city from
Twelfth street to the lake and river is
consumed. The fire is raging for two
miles north OF the river. The water
works and gas works are destroyed,
and not stone is left Of any depot,
hotel or public building. The wind is
still blowing a gale. All the newspa-
pers are gone except the Tribune There
is no water, gas or food. One hundred
and fitv thousand homeless people.
Terrible apprehensions for the next
forty-eight hours.
They are trying to establish supply
depot at the southern limits Of the city,
but the flames are coming up Wabash
avenue, and the probabilities are it will
be reached before night
| Four fire companies have started for
Chicago by special train. All bust
ness is suspended, and meetings are
being held by the Board Of Trade,
Chamber of Commerce and City Council
to take immediate steps Tor all possible
assistance.
CINCINNATI, October 9-ll:4O a. NJ
A meeting was called here Of the clt'-
zens at II o'clock to take measures for
the relief OF the sufferers by the fire in
Chicago.
CHloAGo, October 9-Noon.-The
whole business portion Of the city ls in
ashes. from Harrison street north to
Chicago avenue, and east OF the river
to Lake avenue, three miles in length,
and from one mile to one mile and a
half in width. Every hotel, bank, Ex-
press office, telegraph Office, theatre and
nevsparer office, with all the wholesale
houses IN the city, are totally destroyed.
Many thousand dwellings and the water
works are also burned.
Early this morning the wind was
blowing perfect gale from the south
west, with a sky o. brass.
No one can as yet tell what the end
will be. The only salvation for the
remainder of the city is in the wind
keeping its present direction.
The telegraph companies have sue
ceeded in getting up u few wires from
the hastily improved offices in the south
ern part OF the city, establishing a COM
munication in nearly all directions.
Muniticent offers of assistance are COM
ing from every quarter.
Thousands OF people are homeless,
and most of them in destitute condl-
ton. :,
The unourned streets are for miles
lined with household goods.
No one dare to even think what the
loss of life may be- The flames swept
through the city with the rapidity OF a
prairie fire. Many must have perlshed.
CHICAGO, October 9.-To Hon. VIM.
Orton, New York We are trying to
get established a supply department,
but as the fire is now coming up TINS
wsy on Wabash avenue, we will prob
ably be driven out of here before night.
The Water-works are burned. Every
banking house and railroad depot IN
the city has been burned.
(Signed) J. rs. WILSON,
Superintendent.
ESoLEwoop, LII, October 9-l0 A.
M-The fire is still raging, and a
southeasterly wind is blowing.
The loss, so far, is estimated at fifty
millions of dollars. The water works
is destroyed. W.
A dispatch from St: Louis says; We
are telegraphipg to all the cities for food
and clothes.
! nra aiaryInO