The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-19
PESHTIGO.
A CorrespOndent's Account Of the
Wisconsin Horror.
Menosha, Wis, Letter to the Cleveland
Leader


LEADER
have just returned from what was
once Peshtigo, whittier l went yester-
day, that l might be able to give to the
readers Of the Leader a correct account
OF the destruction OF that place. The
village was situated on Peshtigo river,
seven miles from Green Bay. 1t was a
nice little town OF about two thousand
inhabitants, quite regularly laid out,
had fine hotels, churches, stores,
schools, etc, besides the large factory
owned by the Peshtigo Manufacturing
company, a sash, door and blind fac.
tory also owned by the same company,
who owned nearly every building in the
town. The factory was devoted to the
manufacture OF pals, tubs, broom han
dies, etc, and gave employment 10
about seven hundred hands in the differ
ent branches.
The town is nearly surrounded by
fine forests, the suburban portions being
built among the pines" The inhab-
itauts have for the past ten days been
fighting fire in the woods, trying to save
the town, and bad settled down 10
feeling OF comparative security since the
woods on all sides had been more or less
buraei over
On Sunday night they were awakened
from this feeling Of security by a noise
ike distant thunder, which increased
in volume until the crash OF falling
trees and the roar of the wind and fire
could be plainly heard. Soon after a
tornado burst upon the town, unroof-
ing a number OF buildings, and quickly
followed by sheet Of flame, extending
the whole length OF the village and far
beyond each way. In an instant the
whole exposed side OF the place was in
flames. Men, women and children
rushed into the street, and surrounded
by fire on all sides, were soon either
smothered or burned TO death In the
less exposed portions the people fled to
the river, and jumping in, many were
drowned. Some saved their lives by
keeping their bodies under water, and
once in while putting their heads un-
der as the heat became insupportable.
Others took refuge in wells and cisterDs
and were saved. Quite large por-
ton OF the inhabitants ran 10 q field
10 the leewari OF the fire, and by lying
on the ground were saved, although
some OF these were badly burned.
There is but one house lett standing,
and th. is isolated aud lately built OF
green lumber.
Az near as can at present lie ascer-
tanned two hundred and fifty lives have
been lost, mostly women and children.
Although a good many men have per-
ished, there are seventy five who are
badly injured, many OF whom will die,
and nearly all are more or less burned.
The destruction ha, been so complete
that the streets cannot te traced, all
being covered with sand which was
swept in great clouds by the tornado.
In some instances bodies have been
found completely covered with sand.
| could fill columns with the heart
rending incidents OF this confiagraton,
but will only give few as illustrative
OF the rest. In one instance man
took his family and fled to the bridge
spanning the river. The bridge was
soon on fire, and the poor unfortunate
family were nearly roasted alive and
then jumped into the river and were
drowned 4 woman, on seeing the fire
approaching, put her little girl, a child
OF elk wears, in well which was nearly
dry, and ran to the river herself for Sc
curity. The woman was saved, and, az
soon as she could, found out the local
ity, and her JOY was so great at finding
the little one alive and well that she
swooned, and on recovering clasped her
child 10 her arms an ! ran off crying for
Joy.
Too few, alas, were so fortunate. In
many cases whole families have per-
ished. In other cases men have lost
their families. they being at the time OF
the fire, working to cave the factories.
In other instances men persisted in try
ing to cave their families. In one case
10 which my attention was called,
little boy Of seven years is the only sur
viving member of numerous family.
As soon as the fire had sufficiently
subsidized, all that were able went to the
relief Of the sufferers. Blackened,
charred corpses were lying in every
direction, with their clothing, as gen
eral thing, nearly or quite burned OF.
MANY dead bodies were found in the
river and many more have since been
recovered. A number have died from
their bruises, while others are crippled
or feariully distigured.
The most imaginative mind cannot
begin to realize the fearful calamity,
much less my poor pen to describe 1t.
The shrieks and groans Of the dying
end of those who had lost near anu
dear friends; the CHASTITY aspect OF the
blackened corpses; the shocking aP,,
pearance of many who, badly burned
and almost destitute of clothing, were
running they knew not where; others
in the last agonies of death, made
picture too horrid Of contemplation.
The sufferers have all been taken to
Green Bay and other towns, where they
will be entirely cared for, as hospitality
is one of the marked traits OF the West
The loss TO the Resbtigo Company,
who owned the factories and most OF
the town, besides large pine lands, Is
estimated at three million dollars, be-
sides the loss of their extensive ware
houses in Chicago.
Mennekaunee, town OF seven or
eight hundred inhabitants, is all de-
stroyed but three houses, Fortunately
no lives were lost here.
Marinette is also nearly all DESTROYED.