The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-10-14


Then the people commenced moving,
horses were brought into requisition to
take proprietors and others to the contlag-
ration. What scene met their gael
The Board of Trade, Court House, Wes-
tern Union Telegraph and Associated
Press Office and hundreds of other build
ings were all in flames. The air was filled
with live Goals, which were hurled to north
and east, a bosom of destruction. Fire
engines were powerless for saving. All
that the men could do was to blow up
buildings, but this awaited but little.
The Times, Tribune, Post, Republican,
Journal, and other newspaper offices, Wes-
tern News Company, Black. Field Il Lett
ter's establishment; the Drake block, re-
Gently built; Falwell & Co. S all were soon
in ashes. 1t seemed that no sooner had the
flame struck wall than it went derectly
through, and very few minutes sufficed to
destroy the most deliberately built struc-
lures. The walls melted, and the very
bricks were consumed. The wooden pave
ments took fire, making continuous sheet
of flame two miles long by mile wide. No
human being could possibly SURVIVE many
minutes. Block after block fell, and red
hot Goals shot higher and higher, and spread
further and further. until the north side
was a vast sheet of flame from river to
Lake. At one time it SO hemmed the peo-
pie that it was expected thousands must
perish
The Sherman, fremont and other hotels
were emptied of their guests, and a remark
ably sight was presented in the hurrying
throngs, with trunks, sacks or bags on their
shoulders, fleeing amid the flames for their
lives. Those who could, made for the re-
naming bridges, others got next to the
lake shore and to the south. One block in
all the vast business section remained at
daylight, viz: the Tribune block. The
Custom House and Honore block in Dear
born street had burned, and those who
fought the flames here thought at least
this block could be saved. A patrol of men
under Samuel Medill swept off live Goals
and put out flames inside of the walls, and
another lot of men under the direction of
Hon. Joseph Medill watched the roofs
At half-past seven o'clock this appeared
safe, and most of the men went to get rest
and food. A number went to sleep in the
Tribune building. But there was change
of tho wind. The flames reached Wabash
avenue. State street and Michigan avenue.
Soon McVickcr's Theatre caught fire. In
few moments the Tribune building was
in flames, and at the last moment the Sleep
ing men were aroused and rescued from
destruction. By ten o'clock in the forenoon
this remaining block was in ashes.
Now was to be seen the most remarka-
BILE sight ever beheld in this or any other
country. There were from so, 600 to 75,-
900 men. women and children fleeing by
every available street and alley to the south
ward and eastward, attempting to save
their clothing and their lives.
Hundreds were trampled under foot, men
and women, loaded with bundles and their
household goods, to whose skirt were cling
ing tender infants, half dressed and bare
footed, all seeking places of safety. Hours
afterwards they might have been seen in
vacant lots, or on the streets far out in the
suburbs, stretched in the dust. These are
the suffering lambs whom Christ calls on
the rich world to feed and clothe. God help
them if the heart of man should prove OBJ
durate. One ofthe most pitiful sights was
that of a middled-aged woman, on State
street, loaded with bundles, struggling
through crowd singing the Mother Goose
melody: "Chickery, chickery, craney crow
1 went to the we'll to wash my toe" sc,
There we're hundreds of others likewise
distracted, and many made desperate by
whisky, which, from excess of thirst, they
drank. in the absence of water, in great
quantities, who spread themselves in every
direction, a terror to all they met.
1t is fearful to think of the loss of life.
ly five hundred have been burned to death.
A careful survey of the insurance to- day
shows that there were written on the prop
erty destroyed over 5000, ZOO, 600. Add
another 800, 900, 900 to this sum, and
fair estimate can be reached of the loss.
All the leading merchants who have been
seen express a determination to resume
business at once.
At meeting of business men spirit
was manifested to at once set to work to
rebuild the city and restore business.
A special meeting of the Legislature is
to be held to provide means for aiding the
business men and providing employment
for the poor.
THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL.
CHICAGO, OCTOBER 10-Noon-The fire
continued to burn all of Monday night on
the north side. 1t is literally true to say
there is nothing remaining of that side
from the river north to Lincoln Park on
the north, and from the north branch of
the river on the west to the lake on the
east. This portion of the city, except
along the main river, where there were bus
mess blocks, was occupied by dwellings.
A large portion of the population, driven
from the desolated ground. are encamped
on the prairie to the north, where they
have nothing but the canopy of heaven to
cover them. and scarcely sufficient food to
satisfy their hungar. A meeting of citi-
zens of the State was held this evening, at
which resolutions were passed recommend
ing Governor Palmer to call an extra ses-
sion of the Legislature at once. Ex-Gov-
ernor Oglesby was appointed to proceed to
Springfield and lay the matter before Gov
ernor Palmer.
All of the packing houses in Chicago and
many elevators remain uninjured.
The Directors of the Chamber of Com
MERGE met to-day and resolved to rebuild
Two companies of United States infantry
arrived this morning, and will bc at once
put on parol duty.
Sowing Coop SEED.-Every farmer
knows that to reapa good crop he must
first plant good seed, and nourish the soil
that has to give life and strength to vegeta-
ton. So it is with mans actions toward