The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-13

row or low WOODEN tenementS on De-
Koven street, between Jefferson and
Clinton streets, and, as was the case last
night, spread with terrible rapidity -
Before single engine could get on the
ground half the block was in flames, and
burned furiously. The entire depart
ment were soon on the ground and at
work. For a time it seemed probable
that they would succeed in confning it
to an area of four or five blocks. The
wind, however, which was blowing fresh.
ly when the fire started, increased to a
gale, and suddenly the flames spread in
every direction, becoming entirely be-
yond the control of the fire department.
1:15 A. M.-The fire is still raging,
and with increased fury has spread al
most with the velocity of the wind, and
has now reached West Monroe street, a
distance of more than mile from where
it started, and covers a breadth of near.
ly half a mile, reaching from the river
to Jefferson street. The distance al
ready burned over embraces an immense
number of lumber yards, and the freight
depots of the Chicago and st. Louis
and Pittsburgh, and Fort Wayne and
Chicago Railroads. The property al.
ready destroyed counts up many mil
lions of dollars, and perhaps the half is
not told The task of arresting it
seems five fold greater now than it did
an hour ago, and no one dare venture an
opinion as to when or where it will stop.
Brands from the fire were blown across
to the east side of the river and set
wooden building on fire directly adjoiu-
ing the Chicago gas house. The flames
sprea in every direction, the adjoining
buildings being all of the tinder-box
kind. The prospect is that the gas
house will be destroyed, and the city
wrapped in darkness. A terrible panic
is prevailing throughout the whole city.
Almost everybody, men, women, and
children, are in the streets, and praying,
weeping and wailing is heard in every
direction 1t now looks as though the
whole city may be destroyed. Large
numbers of lives have been sacrificed,
but how many and who cannot be known
until the progress of the flames have
been arrested. The alarm bell has just
commenced ringing an unceasing peal,
which is intended to call every sleeper
from his bed.
The panic is increasing and the peo.
pie seem almost crazy with alarm
Vessels in the river are catching fire in
every direction, and all in the South
River will probably be destroyed.
145 a. Ma raging, roaring hell
Of fire envelopes 20 blocks of the city.
It is already within block of the telo-
graph office, where this dispatch is writ
ten, and sweeping onward a whirlwind
of flame, against which human efforts
are powerless, and it is impossible to tell
where it will stop. The bridge across
Van buren street is burned Shipping
in the river, cars on the tracks of the
Chicago and Alton and Fort Wayne
Railroad, with immense freight houses,
are swept away, No language can de-
scribe the awful scene. The flames
sweep through blocks of wooden houses
with the rapidity of prairie fire
Thousands of people fill the streets, rush
ing oat Of dwellings, il many instances
with barely time to save their lives.
CHICAGO, Oct. 9-5 p. M.-The aw
full work of destruction goes on with re.
lentless fury. From Harrison street
south to Division street north, and from
the river to Lake street, four miles long
by Que wide, the flames have swept ev.
erything before them. 1t is estimated
that at least 100000 people are home
less and in suffering condition. The
streets in the districts still unburned
are lined for miles with such household |
goods as have been saved from destruc-
ton. The most generous offers of as
sistance in money, food and anything
wanted are coming from every city and
town possible by telegraph. The Mayor
has responded to several offers, asking
that cooked food be forwarded as soon
as possible. Flremen are on the way
here from Cincinnati St I,ouis and 9TH