New-York tribune., 1871-10-11


have prevented the spreading OF the flames but
the engines were waited for and when
they arrived, the fremen, stupefcd by their exer-
tons at the fire on Saturday night, worked slowly
and clumsily. Their efforts were unayailing, how
ever, as the wind blew gale from the southwest.
The flames spread rapidly from house to house ana
from yard to yard, until the district burned the
night before was reached. Meanwhile the flames
had crossed the river north of Twelfth-st, TO the
South Side and threatened the brick and stone busi
ness blocks railroad freight dcpots, and manufac-
turing establishments.
THE DANGER REALIZED WHEN TOO LATE
The full extent of danger was then realized Tor the
first time. The fire department, already tired out
worked like heroes and tie Mayor and City Govern
ment now began to exert themselves but the oppor-
tunity had been lost. The time when thor
ough organization could have blown up build
ings, OF prepared for the emergency, was neg
lected, and it was now fight for l1e Inc
wind blowing n stiff gale had possession Of the
flames and the beautiful buildings, Chicagos glory,
lay before them Harrison, Van Buren,, Adams,
Monroe and Madson-sts. were soon reached, the in
tervening blocks from the river to Dcarborn-st on
the east being consumed Thrce-qnarters of mile
of brick blocks were consumed if hy magic. 1t
being Sunday proprietors and employees were at
home utterly unconscious Of what was taking place.
Those who saw the light of this fire supposed 1t was
the remains of Saturday nights fire, and having con-
fdence in the Fire Department, were uncOncerned;
but between II and ~ o'clock TumOr got abroad
that the fire in the business portion of the city,
Then the people commenced moving. Horses
were brought into requisitiOn to take the pro-
prictors and others to the conflaTatiOn. What
scene met their gael The Board of Trade, Court
House, Western Union Telegraph, and Associated
Press office, and hundreds of other buildings were
all in flames. The air was filled with live Goals,
which were hurled to the north and east, carrying
destruction everywhere. The fre-engines were
powerless for saving. All that men could do was to
blow up buildings but this availed little. The Times,
Tribune Past, RcpulHcap, journal, and other news
paper Offices the Western News Company block,
Field & Letters establishment, the Drake Block
recently built, Farwell & Co.'S, all soon in
ashes. 1t seemed that no sooner had the flames
struck wall than it went directly through and n
very few minutes suffced TO destroy the most cab-
oratey built structure. The walls melted, and the
very bricks we're consumed.
THE WOODEN PAVEMENT on FIRE.
The wo lden pavements even took fire, making
continuous sheet of fame two miles long by mile
wide. No human being could possibly survive many
minutes Block after block fell, and the red-hot
coal shot hi CHER and higher, and spread farther and
farther, until the north side of Lake-st vast
sheet of fame from the river to the lake. At one
timeso hemmed were the people that it expected
thousands must perish. The Sherman, Fremont, and
other hotels were emptied of their guests and
markablo sight presented itself i'll the hurTying
throngs with trunks, sacks, or bags on their
shoulders fleeing amid flames for their lives. Those
who could made for tho remaining bridges, Others
got next TO the lake shore, and SO south.
AN ISLAND IN A SEA OF FLAME.
One block in all the vast business section re-
mained at daylight--viz., The Tribune block. The
Custom House and HOnore block. in Dearborn ST.,
had burned, and those who had fought the flames
here thought at least this block could be saved.
patrol of men under Samuel Medi swept of live
Goals and put out fires in the side walls and another
gang of men, under the direction of the Hon.
Joseph Medill, watched the roofs. At u all
appeared SAFE and most Of the men went
to get rest OF food. number went to
sleep on The Tribune building, but there
was a change of wind. The flames reached Wabash
ave-, State-st, and Mchigan-ave, and soon McVick-
er's Theater caught fire. In few moments The
Tribune building was in flames and at the last mo-
ment the sleeping men were aroused and rescued
from the flames. By 10 o'clock in the forenoon this
remaining block was in ashes.
sEvENTY-FIvE THOUSAND PEOPLE FLEEING FOR
THEIR LIVES.
Now was to be seen the most remarkable sight
ever beheld in this any country. There were from
$1,000 to IS, 900 men, women and children fleeing by
every available street and alley to the Southwark
and Westward, attempting to save their clothing
and their lives. Every available vehicle was
brought into reqwsiton for use, for which enor-
nous prices were paid. Thousands of persons mex
tricably commngled with horses and vehicles, poor
people of all colors and shades, and Of every nation
ality-from Europe, China, and AfriCa-mad with
excitement, struggled with each other to get away.
Many were trampled under foot. Men and women
were loaded with bundles to whose skirts children
were cnging, haf-dressed and barefOoted all seek
ing place Of safety Hours afterwaId these people
might have been seen in vacant lots, or on the
streets far out in the suburbs stretched i'll the dust
These are the homeless and destitute, who call
on the rich world for food and clothing. One of the
most ptiful sights that of a mjddle-aged woman
on State-st., loaded with bundles, struggling
through crowd, singing the Mother Goose melody,
"Chickery Chickery, Crany Crow
went 10 the we'll to wash my toe :"
There were hundreds of others likewise distracted,
and many, made desperate by whisky or beer, which
from excess of thirst and in the absence of water
they drank in great quantities spread themselves in
every direction, terror to all they met.
FIVE HUNDRED LIVES LOST.
1t e fearful to think Of the loss of life. 1t con-
ect ured and with good cause that nearly 500 per-
SONS have been burned to death. -Four men were
seen 10 enter burning building, and in q moment
they were overwhelmed by falling wall. There
was a crowd of men around the corner Of building
trying to save property when the wall FELL burying
some of them beneath it. About twelve OF fifteen
men, women, and children, rushed into the building
of the Historical Society Ia ireproof building for
safety In few minutes the flames burst out and