Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-21
The Destruction of PeshtigO-The Fire
Blown by IN Tornado Entirely Across
the tillI ge-Great Loss of Life.

A correspondent, writing from Menasha, Wis,
on the 18th inst, describes the destruction of
Peshtigo:
The village was situated on Peshtigo river,
seven miles from Green Bay. TWAS a nice little
town OF about 900 inhabitants, quite regularly
laid out, had tine hotels, stores, churches,
schools, &c, besides the large factory owned by
the Peshtigo Manufacturing COMPANY a sash
door and blind factory, and foundry also owned
by the same company, who owned nearly every
building in the town. The factory was devoted
to the mandatory of pals tubs, broom handles,
&C., and gave employment to about 100 hands in
the different branches.
The town is nearly surrounded by pine forests
the suburban portions being built "among tn
pines" The inhabitants have for the past 10
days been lighting fire in the woods, trying to
save the town, and had settled down into a feel
ing of comparative security, since the woods on
all sides had been more or less burned over.
On Sunday night they were awakened from
this feeling OF security by noise like distant
thunder, which increased in volume until the
crash Of falling trees and the roar of the wind
and fire could be plainly heard. Soon after a
tornado burst upon the town, unrOofng a num-
Der OF buildings, and quickly followed by a solid
sheet of flame, extending the whole length of the
village and far beyond each way. In an instant
the whole exposed side OF the place was in flames.
Men, women and children rushed into the street
and, surrounded by fire on all sides, were soon
either smOthered OF burned to death. In the less
exposed portions the people fled to the river and,
jumping in, many were drowned. Some saved
their lives by keeping their bodies well under
water, and once in a while putting their heads
under as the heat became insu fferable. Others
took refuge in wells and cisterns and were
saved. Quite large portion of the inhabitants
ran to field to the lee-ward of the fire, and by
lying Oh the ground were saved, although some
of these were badly burned. There is but one
house left standing, and that is isolated, and
lately built OF green lumber. As near as can at
present be ascertained, $50 lives have been lost,
mostly women and children. Although a good
mary men have persisted, there are IS who are
badly burned, many of whom will die, and
nearly all are more or less burned. The destruc-
ton has been So complete that the streets cannot
be traced, all being covered with sand, which
was swept in great clouds by the tornado. In
some instances bodies have been found COM
pletely covered by sand.
l could fill columns with heart-rending incl
dents OF this COntagratiOn, but viii only give
few as illustrative of the rest. In one instance
a man took his family and fled to the bridge
spanning the river. The bridge was soon on fire,
and the poor unfortunate family were nearly
roasted alive, and then jumped into the river
and were drowned. A woman, on seeing the
fire approaching, put her little girl, child OF
six years, in a well, which was nearly dry, and
ran to the river herself for security. The
woman was saved, and, as soon as she could,
found out the locality, and her joy was so great
at finding the little one alive and well that she
swOoned, and on recovering clasped her child
in her arms, and ran Off crying for joy. Too
few, alas, were so fortunate. In many cases
whole families have persisted. In other cases
men have lost their families, they being, at the
time OF the fire, working TO save the factories.
In other instances men persisted in their en-
UedNOG 10 save ld1nllleS. III one case 10
which my attention was called, little boy of
seven years is the only surviving member OF a
numerous family. AS soon as the fire had suf
fciently subsidized, all that were able went to
the relief of the sufferers. Blaekened, charred
corpses were lying in every direction, with their
clothing, as general thing, nearly or quite
burned of. Many dead bodies were found in
the river, and many more have since been re-
covered. A number have died from their
bruises, while others are crippled or fearfully
disfguIed.
The most imaginative mind cannot begin to
realize this fearful calamity, much less my poor
pen to describe il. The shrieks and grOans of
the dying, and OF those who had lost near and
dear friends; the CHASTITY aspect of the blackened
corpses; the shocking appearance of many who,
were running they knew not where; others In
| the last agonies OF death, made picture too
| horrid for contemplation. The sufferers have
| all been taken TO Green Bay and other towns,
where they viii be kindly cared for, as hospl-
| tally Is one of the marked traits of the West.
| The loss TO the Peshtigo Company, who owned
the factories and most of the town, besides large
pine lands, is estimated at three million dollars,
besides the loss Of their extensive warehouses In
Chicago.
Mennekaunee, town of seven or eight hun.
| dred inhabitants, is all destroyed bat three
houses Fortunately lives were lost here.
Marinette is also nearly all destroyed. Business
| in this section is partially suspended. All the
| saw mills and factories at Oshkosh, FOn du Lac,
| and other neighbOring towns, are stopped by an
\ order of the authorities.