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

spread themselves In every direction,
terror to all they met. 1t is fearful to
think of the
LOSS OF LIFE.
1t is conjectured, with good cause, that
near five hundred have been burned
to death. We saw four men enter a
burning building, and in moment they
were overwhelmed by a falling wall.
There was crowd Of men around the
corner of building trying to save pro-
perry, when, the wall yielding, the whole
of them were buried beneath it. About
twelve or fifteen men, women and chill
dren rushed into the building of the
Historical Society, fire-proof building,
for safety, In few minutes the flames
burst up and they were burned to death.
Among those who took refuge in this
building was the venerable Col. Samuel
Stone, eighty years Of age, for a long
time connected with the society; also
1ohn B. Gerard and wife, and Nine.
Depelgrove, noted teacher of music.
1t is feared that Dr. Frear and family
were also burned, as they were in the
building and have not been seen since.
Mrs. EdSall, whose husband was mur-
dered last week, and who was suffering
from illness, was carried for protection
to building which was afterwards con-
sumed, and 1t is feared she also persisted.
All the books aud papers of the HistQr-
ical Society, including the original copy
Of the famous Emanci patton Proclama-
ton of President Lincoln, for which the
society paid $4,000, were destroyed.
1t is feared that a large number Of chill
dren, inmates Of the Catholic Orphan
Asylum on State street, are also burn
ed, as many of them were missing, On
Chicago avenue a father rushed up stairs
to carry three children away, when he
was overtaken by the flames and per
ished with them. The mother was aft
erwards seen on the street, on the north
west side, raving maniac In the same
neighborhood family of five persons
persisted. The list of such fatalities is
very long, and can only be fully veli-
fed after the smoke shall have cleared
away.
There are hundreds of families on that
side who saved no clothing, but barely
their lives.
CHICAGO, Oct. 10.-None but an eye
witness can form an idea Of the fury
andpower of the fire among the build
ings and warehouses on the south side.
The wind blowing a hurricane at times,
it seemed but the work Of a moment for
the fire to enter the south end of the
buildings fronting on Randolph and
Water streers,and reappear at the north
doors and windows, belching forth in
fierce flames which often licked the OPP
posite buildings, and then the flames, is
suing forth from the buildings on both
sides of the street, would unite and pre-
sent a solid mass Of fire, completely fill
ling the street from side to side, and
shooting up - hundred feet above the
house-tops.
Thus was street after street filled with
flames Huge walls would topple and
fall into the sea of fire without an audi
bic sound The roar of the fierce ele-
ment was so great that al minor sounds
were swallowed up Many buildings
situated along South Water street bur
led their red hot rear walls in the water,
into which they plonged with q hiss
The hea was so intense at times that the
burning buildings could not be APP
preached within one hundred and fifty
feet. The fire after reaching the bust
ness part of.Randolph and South Water
streets, leaped the river to north side in
an incredible short space Of time, and
thence among the wooden buildings on
that side, reached the lake shore, after
reducing block ate block Of happy
dwellsngs to ashes
A scene fsuch utter powerlessness in
the face of an enemy was never present
cd as that of this people trying to com
bat the fire, for the combat was not of
long duration. The people bowed their
heads in anguish Of spirit, and allowed
the fire TO have untrammeled sway.
MEANNEss AND EXToRuoN.
While there are many instances of
generous devotion on the part of the
rich and poor, in deviding with the des-
titute, there are painful instances OF
meanness and selfiShneSs. One person
was trying to remove valuable papers
from an office, and asked two tiremen to
help him, but refused, unless he paid
them $50. The papers were destroyed.
Drivers Of express wagons have taken
500, and even $500 for an hours use
of their vehicles in getting the distress
ed people away from danger. Among
the san scenes was the appearance
MEN AND BOYS BEAsTLY INTOXICATED
around the streets of north division,
woere the saloon-keepers' stocks of
liquor were turned into the streets.
There can hardly be any doabt that
many of these wretches found their
death in the flames. One poor man had
crowded for refuge into water main
lying on the street, near the water
works but the fire found him even there,
and robbed him of life.
HUNGRY CHILDREN IN THE STREETS.
Childred are going around the burnt
district seeking for something to satisfy
their hunger. They ask for relief, but