Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-02
The WISCONSIN EirpS,
ONE THOUSAND KILLED AND THREE THOU
SAND DESTITUTE.

ONE THOUSAND KILLED AND THREE THOU
SAND DESTITUTE.
Gov. Fairchild, of Wisconsin, has is
sued the following address to the people
OF his State, describing the extent of the
calamitous fires there, and making an
appeal for aid that should be heard not
only within the borders Of Wisconsin
TO Tie People Of Wisconsin
The accounts of the appalling calamity
which has fallen upon the east and west
shores of Green Bay have not been ex-
aggerated. The burned district compri.
SEES the counties Of Oconto, Brown,
Door, and Kewaunee, and parts OF Man
itowoc and Outagamie. The great loss
of life and property has resulted from
the whirlwind of fire which swept over
the country, making the roads and ayen-
ues OF escape impossible with fallen tim
Der and burned bridges. The previous
long drouth had prepared everything
for the flames. The loss Of life has been
very great. The first estimates were en-
tireIy inadequate, and even now it is
feared that it is much greater than pre-
sent accounts place it. 1t is known that
at least LOCO persons have either been
burned, drowned or smothered. OF
these deaths, 600 or more were at Pesh
tigo and adjacent places, and the others
in Door, Kewaunee and Brown Counties.
Men are now penetrating that almost in
accessible region for the purpose Of
atiording relief, and | fear that their re-
ports will increase this estimate. From
the most reliable source of information
/ learn that not less than 5000 men, wo-
men and children have been rendered
entirely destitute. Mothers are left with
futherlesS children, fathers with mother
less children, children are left homeless
orphans. Distress and intense suffering
are on every hand, where but few days
ago were comfort and happiness. Scores
of men, women and children now lie
helpless. They are burned and maimcd
in temporary hospitals, cared for by more
fortunate neighbors. These suffering
people must be supplied with food, bed
ding and clothing, feed for their CATTLE
and the means Of providing shelter dur
ing the winter, The response By the
good people of Wisconsin has already
been prompt and generous, 1t is meet
ing the immediate need, and is being
faithfully and energetically distributed
through the relief organizations at Green
Bay, but provision must be made for
months in the future There are want
ed -four salt, and cured meats not cook
ed, blankets, bedding, stoves, bolcd bay,
building materials, lights, farming i'm
ploments and tools, boo,s, shoes and
clothing for men, women and children,
log chains, axes with handles, nails glass
and house trimmings, and indeed every
thing needed by farming community
that has lost everything.
TO expedite the transfers at Green
Bay, all boxes should have cards attach
ed to them, stating their contents, and
all supplies should be sent to the Relief
Committee at Green Bay. Money con-
trihuted should not be converted into
supplies, but should be forwarded to the
Committee. Depots have been cstab-
lishcd at Green Bay, under the manage
ment oi Il committee Of philosophical
and energetic men, who have the conf
donc2 Of all, for the receiving and dis
patching supplies. Theyhave organized
a system of sub-depots contiguous to the
burned regions, and steam boats and
wagons are being sent out with supplies
Let us uphold their hands in the good
work, and see that their dcpots be kept
filled 70 ovelfowing 1t is fortunate
that we live in prosperous and wealthy
State, blessed with prosperity in bust
moss and overlooking harYests, and that
thus we are, by a wise Providence, en-
dowed with the means to-help our less
fortunate neighbors.
lam urged by philosophical citizens
Of the State to call an immediate extra
session of the Legislature to provide for
this calamity. l have given serious at
tention to this suggestion, and have con-
cludod not to do so, for the reason that
the expense of such session would be
likely to equal the amount which the
State would be asked to contribute. Be
lieying, therefore, That the people and
| Legislature will indorse my action in
this emergency, / have, in conjunction
with the State Treasury, decided to ad-
vance such a moderate sum Of money as
seems to be appropriate, in addition to
that contributed.
LUCIUS FAIRCHlLD,
Governor Of the State of Wisconsin,