Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-10-14
CHICAGO ABLAZE.


City in fishes.
The following is report of the fire
and its incidents, specially described for
the Associated Press by those who wit
messed and fought the flames throughout:
Late on Sunday evening boy went
into a stable on De Koven street, near
the river, on the west side, TO mix
cow, carrying with him a kerosene
lamp. 49,, -,
This was kicked over by the COW, and
+ha hn,n;"o Amid scattered ameng the
straw This was the beginning of the
GREAT fire A single extinguisher on the
Se,rorr5 or active work by the police in
soor;ng down one or two shanties, would
have Hreuented the spreading of tie
flames but the engines were waited
for. and when they arrived
THE FIREMEN, sTUPIFIED
bv their exertions at the first fire, on
Saturday night, worked slowly and
clumsily. Their efforts were unayailing.
The wind blew a gale from the south
west.
Rapidly the flames shot from house
TO house, and from board yard to board
ward, having meanwhile crossed the riv-
er north of Twelfth street to the south
side, and made for the brick and stone
business blocks, the railroad freight de,
pots and manufacturing establishments.
The full extent of the danger was now
realized for the first time.
The fire department, already tired out,
worked like heroes, and the mayor and
city government, that had supinely rest
ed, now began to exert themselves, but
the opportunity had been lost.
UNCONSCIOUS VICTIMS.
1t being Sunday, proprietors and en-
ployees were at home utterly uncon-
scious of what was taking place. Those
who saw the flames supposed it was the
remains Of Saturday nights fire, and
having confidence in the fire depart
ment, were unconcerned, but between
eleven and twelve o'clock a rumOr got
abroad that the fire was in the business
portion of the city.
Then the people commenced moving,
Horses were brought into requisitiOn to
take proprietors and others to the con
hagration. What scene met their
gaze 6! The board of trade, court house,
Western Union Telegraph and ASsocia-
ted Press Office, and hundreds of other
buildings 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 upbuildings,
but this availed but little.
The Times, Tribune, Post, Republl-
can, Journal, and other newspaper oil
ces, Western News Company, Black,
Field & Letters establishment, the
Drake block, recently built, and Farwen
,G Cos, all were soon i'll ashes.
QUICK DESTRUCTION.
1t seemed that no sooner had the
flame struck a wall than it went directly
through, and very few minutes sui
feed TO destroy the most elaborate built
structures The walls melted and the
very bricks were consumed. The wood
en- pavemeuts took fire, making con
tinuous sheet OF flame two mile long by
a 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 hemmcd the people
that it was expected thousands must per
ish. The Sherman. fremont and other
hotels were emptied of their guests.
REMARKABLE SIGHT
was presented in the hurrying throngs,
with trunks, sacks or bags on their Shout
ders, fleeing amid the flames for their
lives. Those who could made for the
surrounding bridges others got next
TO the lake shore and to the south. One
block in all the vast business section re-
manned at daylight, viz: the Tribune
block. The custom house and Monroe
blocks. in Dearborn street, had burned,
aud 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 the walls, and another lot
of men under the direction of Hon. JOS.
Medll, watched the roofs. At hak-
past seven o'clock this appeared safe,
and most Of the men went to getrest and
food A number wentto sleep i'll the
Tribune building. But there was
A CHANGE OF THE WIND.
The flames reached Wabash avenue,
State street, and Michigan avenue. Soon
after McNicker's Theatre caught fire.
In few moments the Tribune building
was In flames, and at the last moment
the sleeping men were aroused and res
cued from the flames BY 10 o'clock in
the forenoon this remaining block was
in ashes.
FLIGHT OF TIE PEOPLE.
Now was to be seen themost remark
able sight ever beheld in this or any
country There were from $4,000 to
10000 men, women ann children fleeing
by every available street and alley tothe
southwark and westward, attempting to
save their clothing and their lives.
Every valuable vehicle was brought
into requisition for use, for which enor
nous prices were paid, and the streets
and sidewalks presented fearful sight,
Thousands persons and horses, mex
tricably commingled poor people, OF
all colors, shades and every nationality,
from Europe, China and Africa, mad