The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-11-02
FIRE ITEMS.

We have heard of no individual who
has lost more heavily by the recent fires
than Hon. w, B. Ogden. of Chicago,
formerly President of the Northwestern
railway, who estimates his losses by the
fires in Chicago. Wisconsin and Michi
gan pineries at between $4,000, 900 and
SIS 900, 900. He does not propose to give
it up, however, bnt is doing his best TO
take care of his employees and their ia
miles at Chicago, Peshtigo and else
where, and to undertake the work OF re-
building at Chicago and Pestigo. He will
have the sympathy Of many friends In
this State.
A correspondent of the New York
Standard gives the following graphic
account of how the Chicago water works
about the destruction of which so early
there has been SO much mystery, took
fire. lie says:
ar. con. municated chiefly by fly
ing brands, subjeeting buildings far in
advance to bombardment of fire. A
huge brand fell in the yard Of the cooper
shop of Lills brewery at two O'Clock on
Monday morning. A crinkle Of fire, like
a Jet of abortive fireworks, ran up the
shaYings, and in moment the brewery
was great fame, and was sending its
forked tongues over the water-works. In
ten minutes the brewery shot a square
rod of one of its roofs across the lnterv-
ening roofs, and thrust it down through
the tops of the water-works, communi-
eating the fire with Incredible swiftness
to the whole. In fifteen minutes there
after the main was sundered, the hydrants
ceased to deliver, and the steam fire en-
gines were utterly helpless in the midst
of the carnival.
We had call from Mr.. Blake, of De-
pere, on Saturday afternoon. Mr.. Blake
has been over = large extent OF the terri
tory, and his experience is general one
| The unanimous verdict of the most SEN
sible of those who passed safely through
the firery ordeal, whether at Peshtigo OF
other points, as confirmed by Mr.. Blake s
investigations, is that the fire came from
the air above more than from the earth
The fire swept along in detached clouds,
borne with a tornado like fury. These
clouds-hot as furnace blast-would be
swept along in waving masses of differ
eut sizes. One man describes one of these
| clouds as of about forty feet in size each
way. Whatever he saw it touch, the OBJ
ject, tree or house, wilted right down.
These clouds of fire usually touched the
tops of the tallest houses first, when the
buildings would burn down just as though
saturated all over with kerosene. Such
an experience was never before known.
1t seemed as if the air was charged with
these clouds of fire. Mr.. onkersley,
who was in Chicago during the great fire
informs us that the fire there operated in
similar manner. The heavy roofs OF
the large buildings would sway upwards
waver to and fro as if by some great con-
| f1ict between the elements, when they
would fall with crash. The fire is ce-
scribcd as a hell fire, melting down
brick, stone and iron the moment it touch
ed them Fire-proot buildings Withered
at touch How do you explain this
new phenomenon of fire? We do not
attempt it. We simply state the facts
wiser heads than ours must furnish so.
luton of this mysterious, alarming. fata
visitation. That it was no ordinary fire
which caused these great calamities, nc
one who has passed through the ordea
seems to question.-Appieton Times.
The General Relief Committee hello
an adjourned meeting at the Chamber
of Commerce this morning in conference
with Col. Robinson of the Green Bay
Committee and Governor Fairchild.
1t having been suggested that Greer
Bay be constituted the general depot fol
distribution of supplies, Mr.. Geo. w
| Allen described the situation aud want:
of the country burned over, bordering
on Lake Michigan, and he thought tha
the region could be better and more cas-
lily supplied directly from Milwaukee thar
from Green Bay. 1t was his opinion
.he; the Green Bay Committee shoule
take charge of the distribution of sup
plies on both shores of Green Bay, ane
that the Milwaukee Committe while at
tending to the wants OF the regions Dor
dering on Lake Michigan should atteno
to the general collection of supplies ant
money; and honor any drafts made upor
them by the Green Bay Committee so
far as may be in their power and IN pro
portion to the total demands upon tht
Committee.
A resolution to this effect was adopt
ed after some general interchange O
views. and the following understanding
arrived at as to the division of territory
i The Milwaukee Committee to take
charge of all Manitowoc county and the
towns of Kewaunee, Carlton, franklin
Montpelier, Coryville, Pierce, Ahnepee
Forrestville, Clay Banks, Baileys Harbol
and Liberty Grove.
/ All other portions of the burnt dis
trict to be canvassed by the Green Ba.
Committee, and to be supplied through
that Committee.-Ml Wisconsin.