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

The Path Of the FIre-Pavticulars ~ Bs
spread-Ths Water Works Bsrssd-Ges-
eral Sheridan at Work Blswiss Dsws
Heusrs-Hc Stops The Fiames-The shipVlHG
and Elevators Destrsycd-Thc WeeaDo
Pavement and Sidewalks Csnssmed.
CLEVELAND, Oct 10, 1871.
MI. IL II. Taylor, son Of Mr.. H. W. Taylor, Of this
city, manager Of she Chicago Agency Of the Cleve-
land Paper Company, who lefs Chicago on Monday
night, gives better account Of the disasteF~than
has been before obtainabc. He says tile Gre COM
menced on the west side, in house on Halsted
street, between Bunker and Dekoven streets short
distance north OF Twelfth street. From this point
1t travelled northeasiwardy, crossing the blocks
diagonay, until IL reached Desplaines street, near
Polk. In this vicinity was q large planning mill.
which took fire and burned with intense heat.
Prom this building
CANE ALL THE MISCHIEF
the wind was blowing furiousy. and nakes Of IRE
from the burning planning mill were carried along
to great distances causing names to burn In q
dozen places at once, though widely separated, one
line Of Hre travelled rapidly in
N0RTHEAsTERLY DIRECTION,
across the south branch Of chicago river between
POLK and Harrison Streets and reached the lake as
Congress street. A. Tile
fire was travelling more nortnwardly crossing
the river near Van Barren street, whilst the
names continued due north along Canal.
Clinton and JEFFERSON streets, the wind blowing
Qale from rne south carried the burning fragments
go far northward that fires burst out almost stimuli.
taneously all over the district between Harrison
street and the Chicago River This territory con-
tains the best business portion OF Chicago nclud-
ing the great wholesale and retail establishments,
the banks, hotels newspaper Offices; Cdnrt House.
Custom House and Post Onice; Chamber OF Com
merce, Telegraph Building and railroad depots, with
THE SPEED OF A PRAIRIE FIRE.
The names swept through this vast amount OF
property, and converted 1t into aragng hell. So sud.
den and unexpected was tine spread or the names
that there was little time Tor saving prOperty but
the fury OF the fire not stayed at the river the
burning branos were carried across far up 10 the
north side, and the flames swept from the river up
to Lincoln Park, carrying every thing before them,,
DESTROYING THE WATER WORKS
on Pine street ana chicago avenue, and the sup
ply OF water being cut or the flames had 1t all their
own way. The fire swept through the Catholic
Cemetery, and latest rumors SAID it had entered
Lincoln Park, reached the woods beyond and
was sweeping up towards Evanston. How far this
Is true could ~ be ascertained when our
Informant was there was but little communication
with the north side, but the intense glare aud
smoke In that direction showed that the work Of
destruction was still going on The fire did Its work
perfectly; brick, stone and wood, 6reprOof block
and white wood shanty shared the same fate. AL
were levelled 10 the ground.
HERE AND THERE A CHIMNEY STANDS
or fragment Of o wall but over what was the
finest part OF Chicago the eye can range unob-
structed save by smoke. What was once Chicago IS
now plain covered with confused heaps Of bricks
at white heat. Streets are blottsd out, and not
remains to show the oldest inhabitant
where he STANDS. Such complete obhteration can
not be conceived possible unless is seen. The fire.
after It mad passed nornward, turned for time and
commenced travelling
SOUTHWARK ALONG WABASH AVENUE
1t was Of this time that Lieutenant General Sheri-
dan came on the field and commenced
blowing up buildings, In company with
Surgeon Ash and Mayor Mason, he drove rapidly
throuuh the menaced districts win OF powder,
and blew up houses wherever he saw II necessary
to stop the flames. house on Wabash avenue.
Just south Of CsnRress street and door east 70
that Of Mr.. Lain. was blown up, which
STOPPED THE SOUTHWARK PROGRESS OF THE
The river was crowded with shipping. These, a.
q matter OF course, were destroyed. so rapid was
the progress OF the flames that II impossible to
remove them from the danger In time. A nuna-
Der OF
THE FINEST ELEVATORS IN THE CITY
were burned. The Court, House records are
supposed to DE destroyed though Q rumor
was current that q portion mad been re-
moved to one Of The tunnels, and possibly
said there were grave fears TO the safety Of tho
bank vauls but the facts in regard to them cannot
be known until the ruins cool OF the Nicholson
pavement burned up, the bre travelling ON he
as IL progressed along the blocks.
THE WOODEN SIDEWALKS BURNED LIKE FINDER.
and assisted In spreading the fire. Thousands OF
people were on the streets Monday evening withoas
food or sneter Men who on Sunday we're worth
millions were sitting ON Monday night on the curb
stone with their families penniless and hungry.
Many OF them who were supposed enormously