New-York tribune., 1871-10-10
CHICAGO IN ASHES.
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND HOMELESS PEE
SONS APPEALING FOR AID.

ALL TIE PRINCIPAL BANKS, WHoLhoAhN
AND RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS NE"sFAfhA
OFFICES, AND A SCORE OF CHURCHES DE-
sTROYEp-MANY VESSELS BURNED-Ih1 FINE
STILL RAGING.
CuC,co Oct oA-Tbe most terrible confagration
that ever occurred in the United States has Deen III
progress in this city for nearly "A hours laying 'he
whole business portion of the city and oneth OF oil
the buildings in ashes.
The fire broke out last evening, between and 10
o'clock in barn in West Taycr-st,, and, owing to
the ipAammable nature of its contents the building
was wrapped in flames before the fremen arrived.
From this Insignificant source sprang this terrible
calamity
The portion of the city where the fire originated
was built up almost entirely Of wooden buildings,
closely packed together, tenanted by carpenters,
cabinet makers cOOpers, varnish manufacturers in
tcrsrcrscd with lumber yards and stores of other
equally nnammable materials. The wind was blow
ing terrible gale and the devouring element spread
80 rapidly that all attempts to stay its ravagss
proved fruitless.
The fire soon reached Clark-st, upon which the
situated, all Of which are destroyed. The Court
House, which was 20 years in building. was swept
away in 3a~ninutes. The Sherman House. oppo-
site the Court House, the new Pacific Hotel, which
was soon to be opened and said to be the largest in
the world; and, indeed, every hotel in
the city is swallowed up in the sea
of fire When the fire reached Safest, toward the
Lake. an attempt was made to stay its progress by
blowing up the buildings in the vicinity of Field,
Letters & Co.'s magnificent dry goods establishment,
but this only seemed to add to the fury of the
flames. From State-st. the fire advanced with una
bated fury to the North Division, and scarcely
vestige of the 5000 buildings on that side of the
river is left Taking south-easterly direction, the
fire swept through Madison-ave. and Monroe-st, ex-
tending distance of about mile and quarter,
devourng in its advance The Tribune building Cros-
by's Orera House, McVicker's Theater and hundreds
of the finest business houses in the city. West of
the Court House. embracing Lasalle, Wells. and
South Water-sts, upon which very large portion
of the business was concentrated, everything is
swept clean. The space burnt covers area of
more than five square miles, while the value of the
property destroyed is simply to be conjectured some
placing it at S1OOOOO,OOO, and others more than
this.
1t was about o'clock this morning when the fire
crossed the river at Adamsst. bridge and soon de-
stroyed the gas works, and then spread itself In
every direction More than one-haf the population
are now pushing through the streets in vehicles,
which are obtained at enormous prices, on foot and
in every other way, with the choicest household
treasures in their and on their backs in utter
confusion not knowing whittier to go. Fearful suf-
fering must follow and almost Immediately. Full
10000 people at thismoment homeless and house
less, not knowing where to lay their heads OF get
anything to satisfy the cravings Of hunger.
At noon the whole business portion of the city
from Hauison-st. north to Chcago-aVe, and east OF
the river to Lake-ave., devastated, embracing
district three miles in length to mile or mile and
half in width The flames swept through the city
with the rapidty Of prairie fire, and many persons
must have perished.
At this hour Is p n.y. the awful work of destruction
still goes on with relentless fury. From Harrison-st
in the south to Divisionst. in the north and from
the river to the lake. of four miles long by
one mile wide, the flames have swept everything be-
fore them.
The streets in the districts still unburned are
lined for miles with such household goods as have
been saved from destruction Most generous offers
of assistance in money food or anything wanted are
coming in from almost every city and town through
ont the country by telegraph. The Mayor has re-
vnonded TO several offers, asking that cooked food
he provided as soon as possible F1remen are on
their way here from Cincinnati, ST. Louis, and other
cities. The water works are entirely destroyed
Buildings are now being blown up on the line OF the
fire TO attempt to arrest its progress.
It's believed that the spread of the re southwark
will soon be stayed at Harrsonst; but on the north
;de there is no dminuton of its fury and the entire
division Of the city is evidently doomed to utter de-
s,rnction. There are grave fears that the flames
may spread to the west side of the north branch OF
che river and the inhabitants Of the streets nearest
che are already moving to places it is supposed
- oreoter safety. The Western Union Tele-
.rarb Company have now six wlres' working
a.st and south, running into . temporary
office at the corner of State and Sixteenth
~. The Northwestern Railroad Company are
running trains on both its branches winch arc
crowded with fleeing citizens 1t is now POSI-
4;velv asserted by some that the wster-Worn
ara still intact, but the water has been snut OH
from the South and West Divisions, on account Oh