The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-14
particle of clothing, and were proceed
ing to some friends In New York State.

u - = S'SsaAoSy SuA WCIo PANScS'
ing to some friends in New York Stat,
The Dreadful Story as Related by
Young Lady.
Yesterday, q number of additions
refugees from the grand theatre of desc
iation at Chicago arrived in this city
Among them were Timothy Lockwood
OF Saco, Me-; Henry P. Wallace, Q
fremont, N. Y; and Miss Laura E
Rollins, of Bridgeport Conn. Al
bore evidence of the great excitemen
and horror through which they ha'
passed, aud their narrative Of what oc
CURED under their observation is thrill
ling in the extreme. Miss Rollins wa
the only one who had saved anythin!
but the garments on their persons
They would not have been able to com,
home had it not been for the generosity
of the railroad employees, who passed
them free. The dining saloons on tn,
route manifested the same generosity
and everywhere they were the recipients
Of kindness. Miss Rollins had a mos
narrow escape from fiery death. Shs
was surrounded by the flames, anG
dashed through space where the
wooden pavements had kindled into q
blaze She tells the following:
when the second fire brok out in
the south division nearly all the people
became insane with terror. Very few
Of the men even had any presence OF
mind. they had, much could have
been done to have either stayed, or at
least diverted, the flames. There was
water, and a resolute, careful organiza,
ton OF men (and women too) in lines,
could have saved much property.
When the Fire Department gave up in
despair, the people seemed like so many
scared sheep, They rushed pell-mell
away. Some carried what they could
in their hands saw an Irishwoman
huggiug along halfgrown pig. which
kicked and squeaked with all its mignt
until the painting woman, overcome by
the heat, abandoned the animal to its
fate A colored woman shouldered her
weeks washing in huge wicker ba S
ket, and grasped with the other hand a
frying pan and some muffin rings. Huge
clnders fell on the clean, starched
clothes and set them. smoking. In this
way the poor wench, already half beside
herself with terror, trudged along for
several blocks, until the burning rags
fell upon her neck and caused her to
look around. With a howl Of dismay
and an expression Of horror that can
never be reproduced, she dropped her
burden and fled for dear life. One i'm
mense Dutchman trundled wbeelbar-
row along loaded with keg Of lager,
some sausages and clothing. His wife
and children followed, all laden with
sundry articles, and two dogs bringing
up the rear. He toiled and pulled along
until the rapid approach Of the flames
rendered a quicker flight necessary.
The wheelbarrow was then abandoned,
but not until the beer keg was opened,
and a PARTING drink was taken all
around. One incident combined the
pathetic and the ridiculous Two
blocks beyond where lived in Halstead
street, resided an old German, an
almost helpless cripple, whose sole sup
port was his wife and young son. The
latter went away in the morning and
lid not return. The fire rapidly ap-
preached with deadly omen, and the
old couple were not only distracted al
the absence of their boy, but fearful Of
their possible fate. At last the fire came
so near that they must fly or die. In
the strength OF her affection the old
woman seized the poor ripple, placed
him upon her back, and thus staggered
along for distance of two blocks, when
some men placed him in a grocers
wagon and drew him to place Of safe
tv. But it seems wicked 10 think Of
such trfes amidst all the narrowing
scenes in memory. Inever can tell the
universal horror Of those hours. They
were years. l don't wonder that men
seemed demented and women "hyster-
ical." One OF the little girls that at
tended my school became lost. | found
her crying as though her heart would
break. She is but seven years old, and
she could not tell what had become Of
her parents and family. There were
many such cases. As we went on
further the throng increased until the
streets and sidewalks were black with
people. 1t was like freshet, and
poured in one direction OF safety. BY
and bv we found the fire getting around
us as though escape would be cut of,
and we would be entombed in one great
pyre Of flame. go the other way; We
are headed off T. was now and then the
crv, and the multitude would turn back,
struggling in a new direction. l saw
some women and children and one man
exhausted lay down in the cutters TO
die in the helplessness Of desperation.
Others would seize and urge them along:
Smoke and cinders and flame and
scorching heat filled the air. Children
screamed in terror and begged for water.
Some would catch up water from pud'
dies near hydrants and moisten the
mouth. This is bell.6re" This is
the day Of Judgment This must be
the end of the worldT were the excla,
nations heard The degree Of sympa'
thy that prevailed was wonderful,
There seemed to be one instructive
throb of feeling, and the strong helped
the weak. | believe that thieves had a
great deal to do with the fire. If they
did not start it in the first place they
KISpLED FLAMES IN FRESH PLACES.
I saw houses that had been deserted
entered by Unlocking fellows, who ran
sacked bureaus and closets. There wa:
no time to speak to them. Once OF
twice when they were spoken to they
professed to have been sent by the own
ers to save things. Many people in the
haste of their escape abandoned every
.roa - ;a,volry and money.