The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-27
THE WISCONSIN FIRES.
Terrible Loss sf Life-Beiief that a. Least
One Thousand Persons Have Pc rished-
Proclamation by Gov. Fairchild.
From the Milwaukee Sentinel. Oct. u.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel, Oct H.
GREEN BAY, Oct. l2-The news from
Peshtigo and vicinity is Of most heart
rending character. Three hundred and
twenty-five dead bodies have been found
and buried up to last night, and more
are supposed to have been lost. On the
east shore the news is also dreadful.
Nearly one hundred dead bodies have
been found and buried, and doubtless
more are burned in that fearful confla-
grafton. Many that have been dread
fully burned have been brought here,
and more are constantly arriving. AS
sistance is coming 10 their relief, and
food and clothing are being sent to the
sufferers as rapidly as possible.
To Mayor LudingtoD
GREEN BAY, Oct. l3.-The northern steamer
is just in. DR.. Nichols, of your city, and
ether passengers bring the horrible news
that four hundred and seventy dead bodies
have been found at Peshtigo and vicinity,
and it is thought that the loss of life will
reach seven hundred. This is exclusive of
the east shore, where the loss of life is fear
full. ROBINSON BRO.
THE FIRES IN DOOR COUNTY.
The fire is raging with undated fury in
Door county. The brother of Deputy Sheriff
Fagg, of this city, resident of Forestyille,
writes that he has fought the fire for three
weeks. During the time there was not an
hour Of perfect security. Showers OF burn
irg leaves and cinders would fall when least
expected, and it required the utmost vigil
lance to save his residence and barn. The
fire went around him on every side, and his
barn, containing the harvest of months Of
labor, took fire three times, but in each case
he was successful in saving it. All his cord
wood and timber is destroyed, the fire sweep
ing everything north of Two Rivers. Large
numbers had passed his place to seek
refuge beyond the course of the destroyer,
many having broken up their households,
the members starting in different directions
for succor and aid.
In Forestville thirty residents have lost
everything on their premises, the flames
leaving their fields charred and barren. AT
Claybanks the circumstances are about the
same.
About three or four miles from Forestville
a great fire RACES, desolating everything in
its course. Many families are reported
homeless, and all the live stock burned. In
many instances families saved themselves
by letting themselves down.into wells. Mr..
Fagg also writes that his brother-in-law ar
rived while be was penning the letter, and
reported that twenty-five bodies had been
hemmed in and burned a short distance
above Forestville, and another group of six
at another place.
The letter contains but faint idea of the
devastation and suffering at and beyond
Forestville.
THE HORRORS INCREASING.
MARISETTE, Wis, Ola Green Bay, Oct. b.
There have been $50 wounded brought here
from Peshtigo, and there are scores who are
lying in the bushes within twelve or four
teen miles who are alive, but cannot be
reached to-day. Whole families, having let
themselves down into wells, were burned to
death even there, and were covered up
where they laid No reports have been
overdrawn. The loss of life is fearful
AN APPEAL THAT SHOULD BE NEEDED.
To the People of Wisconsin
GREEN BAY, Oct. 13.-The accounts of the
appalling calamity which has fallen upon
the east and west shores of Green Bay have
not been exaggerated. The burned district
comprises the counties Of Oconto, Brown,
Door and Kewaunee, and parts of Manitowoc
and Outagamie. The great loss of life and
property has resulted from the whrlwind
of fire which swept over the country, max
ing the roads and avenues of escape i'm
passble with fallen timber and burned
bridges. The previous long drouth had pre-
pared everything for the flames. The loss
of life has been very great. The first esti-
mates were entirely inadequate, and even
now it is feared that it is much greater than
present accounts place. 1t is known that at
least 200 persons have been either
burned, drowned or smothered. OF these
deaths, six hundred or more were at Pesh-
tigo and ad AGENT places, and the others in
Door, Kewaunee, and Brown counties. Men
are now penetrating that almost inaccessible
region for the purpose of affording relief,
and fear that their reports will increase
this estimate. From the most reliable
sources of information l can learn that no
less than 5000 men, women, and children
have been rendered entirely destitute.
Mothers are left with fatherless children,
fathers with motherless children, children
are left homeless orphans. Distress and in
tense suffering are on every hand, where
but a few days ago were comfort and happ-
ness. Scores of men, women and little
children now lie helpless. They are burned
and MANNED in temporary hospitals, cared
for by more fortunate neighbors. These
suffering people must be supplied with food,
bedding, clothing, feed for their cattle, and
the means of providing shelter during the
winter. The response by the good people
of Wisconsin has already been prompt and
generous. Its meeting the immediate need,
and is being faithfully and theoretically
distributed through the relief organization
of Green Bay, but provision must be made
for months in the future. There are wanted
flour, salt and cured meats, not cooked,
blankets, bedding, stoves, baled hay, build
ing materials, lights, farming implements
and tools, boots, shoes, and clothing for men,
women, and children, log chains, axes with
handles, nails glass, and house trimmings,
and, indeed, everything needed by farm
ing community that has lost everything.
TO expedate the transfers at Green Bay
all boxes should have cards attached 70
them, stating their contents, and all sup
plies should be sent TO the relief committee
at Green Bay. Money contributed should be
converted into supplies, but should be for
warded to the committee. Depots have been
established at Green Bay, under the man
agement OF committee of philosophical
and energetic men who have the confidence
of all, for the receiving and despatching of
supplies. They have organized a system of
sub-depo.s contiguous to the burned regions,
and stesmb boats and wagons are being sent
out with supplies. Let us uphold their
hands IN the good work, and see that their
depots be kept full to OVERLOOKING. It is
fortunate that we live in a wealthy and pros
porous State, blessed with prosperity in
business and OVERLOOKING harvests, and that
thus we are, by wise Providence, endowed
with means to help our less fortunate
neighbors.
l am urged by philosophical citizens of
the State to call an immediate extra session