The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-10-19
Scenes in tho Burning City.

| from one ofthe early issaes of the 7rih.
uae Of that city, itself burned out but
issuing paper within twenty four
| hours:
| The scene presented on Wabash ave.
nue. or Monday, for a period extending
from 4 o'clock 4. NJ. till late in the day,
was most extraordinary one, calling to
mind most vividly the retreat of routed
army. the lower part Of the avenue
had, at an early hour, been occupied by
residents of burning quarters, who
sought safety for themselves and their
chattels by depositing them on the grass
| plats skirting the sidewalks. For
long distance these plats were occupied
by families mostly of the lower classes,
with their household goods. They sup,
posed that they had discovered place
of safety, but their confidence in this
regard proved unfounded. As the fire
commenced spreading up the avenue
wild scene of confusion ensued. The
| street was crowded with vehicles Of all
descriptions, many drawn by men who
found it impossible to procure d,aught
animals. The sidewalks we're filled
| with hurrying crowd, bearing
in their arms and upon their backs
and heads, articles of clothing, furniture.
etc. Ladies dressed in elegant costumes,
put on with view to preserving them,
and with costly apparel of all kinds
thrown over their arms and shoulders,
staggered along under the unwonted
burden. Poor women, with mattresses
upon their heads, or weighted down
| with furniture, tottered with weary steps
up the crowded street. Nearly every
one wore stern expression, and moved
| on without word, as if they had braced
up their mind to endure the worst with
out manifesting any emotion. Occa-
sionally, however, the wall Of women
and children rent the air, bringing tears
to the eyes Of those who witnessed the
sad manifestations. Poor little children
shivered in the cold night air, aud look.
ed with wildly open eyes upon the
scenes they could not comprehend.
Ludicrous incidents were of occasional
'SAu'ASh>C, hSAlihS up VIII u SoTt vi
horrible humor the terrible realities Of
the situation. Women would go up
with dogs in their arms, their pets,
being all that they had saved from the
ruins Of their homes. Men with wag
ons wore green wells over their faces to
protect their eyes from the binding
dust. Drunken men staggered among
the crowds, apparently possessed Of the
idea that the whole affair was grand
municipal spree, in which they were
taking part as a duty that should he
discharged by all good citizens. Trucks
passed up the streets. loaded with trunks,
on which sat ladies in costly garb, and
with diamonds in their ears and on
their fingers. But one day before they
would have scorned the idea OF riding in
anything less imposing than luxurious
landau or coupe; but their pride was
levelled in the presence Of the universal
imminent danger, and they were thor
oughly glad to get the humblest cart in
which to place themselves.
The great portion of the people knew
not whittier they were going. All they
knew was that the horrible fire was
behind them, and they must move on.
The stream poured southwark for hours
the broad avenue being filled from
mouse to house with men, women, chill
dren, horses, mules, vehicles, wheelbar.
rows-everything that could move or
that could be moved. Truckmen aud
express drivers were hailed from the
steps Of houses, or eagerly pursued 10y
the occupants, with the view of securing
their aid in removing household goods
to places of safety. In many instances
the appeals were unsuccessful, their
services having been previously engaged
10y other parties; but, when they were
disengaged, they charged the most exor-
bitant prices, ranging from SIS to 500 for
load, and turning up their noses at
offers of amounts less than they demand
ed. This class of people made great
profit out ofthe calamities oftheir fellow.
citizens. Their pockets may be- heavy
10. day, but their consciences, if they
have any, should be still heavier. The
instances Of generosity were, however,
far in excess Of those of greed and
selfishness. People from districts which
had not already been burned, or who
had secured their own goods, turned in
with will, and worked to assist their
friends, and frequently rendered aid to
persons whom they did not even know.
Good angels, in the shape of women,
distributed food among the sufferers, and
spoke kind words to those who appeared
to labor under the ssverest affiiction.
Human nature, God be thanked, has its
bright a. well as its dark sides.
In addition to the crowds pressing
southwark, throngs of people moved
northward to see what they could see.
And these counter currents frequently
caused jam that was almost insxtrica-
BILE. But, after great effort interspersed
with considerable loud talking and no
small degree of profanity, the dead. lock
would be removed, and the opposing
surges would again make slow progress.
When the church on the corner of
Wabash avenue and Harrison street
took fire. it seemed as il no limit could
be placed to the southwark march of the
monster. An immense throng was
collected in the vicinity Of Harrison
street and Hubbard court, and word was
passed among them that Laird Golfers
church was to be blown up. The intel.
ligence spread with the rapidity of
lightning, and then ensued terrible
race for life. The masses fled with
precipitancy up tho avenue, helter-