The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-12
The Railroad King.

otiVS So og thO ihc.
Field, Letter & Co.
This was the greatest retail house in the
dry goods trade in Chicago. 1t also did a
large jobbing business. Its annual sales
are about fifteen million dollars.
John Wentworth.
A dispatch states that the losses Of Long
John Wentworth amount to three millions
of dollars.
John v. Farwell * Co.
The great house of John V. Farwell 4
Co. is again destroyed. The immense
building, said to be the most beautiful struc-
ture for business purposes in America, was
burned less than a year ago. The house
has Just done an annual business of $685.
100000, and ranks next to Stewart & Co.
in the variety and extent of its mercantile
operations.
Potter Palmer.
He owned about mile of real estate on
State Street, much of which was covered
with vast and costly buildings, One of
them, occupied by Field, Letter & Co.,
rented for S52, 900 q year. There were
others nearly as good. The Palmer House
was built by him, but when he married
Miss Honore, fayorably known in Wash
ington, he settled this fine property upon
her. We beg to express special SYM
pathy for her loss. 1t is estimated that
Mr.. Palmer's losses will reach $4,000, 900.
General Logan.
The summer residence of General Logan,
on Calumet avenue, is nearly mile from
the burned district, and therefore safe.
The residence of Colonel Ingersoll, now in
this city, is still further out, and, we are
glad to observe his valuable paintings and
library are safe.
The Iron Works.
Within the five miles square burned over
in Chicago there were more than one
hundred different iron works, rolling mills,
&c. au
Hantlln * Co.
The great house of Hamlin & Co. is also
destroyed, entailing heavy losses.
General Description of Chicago.
The city, as is well known, is Immediate
ly on the shore of Lake Michigan. The
Chicago river flows into the lake not far
from the middle of the city north and
south. A little less than mile from the
lake the river divides into two branches,
which are called respectively the North and
South branch. There are thus, as a matter
of fact. three divisions of the city, which
are recognized in law also, and known as
North, South and West divisions. OF these
the West division is the largest in extent,
and contains the most people, but the great
bulk Of the business of Chicago is done in
the South division. Here are the banks,
the great hotels, the boards of trade, the
Chamber of Commerce, the offices of all
the daily journals, the great wholesale
houses, most Of the theatres, the Opera
House, insurance offices, the apartments of
spectators, &C., &c. There are many
manufactures in the North and West di-
visions, but the great active life of Chicago
is south of Chicago river, between the
lake and the South branch. In this space,
for a distance of about eight blocks
from the main river, the great BUSH
ness operations of the city are performed.
This part of the city has been noted for its
great aud splendid buildings. Here, for
many consecutive blocks, were vast struc-
lures, beautiful in design, and wonderfully
imposing in general effect. The part OF
Lake street ON this side of the river, and
the second street from the principal stream
is not surpassed by any street in America
No part of Broadway, for so great a dis.
tance, is equal to it. At the head of this
street, on the lake, is the great Union depot
built of stone and iron, and about as large
as the Capitol of the United States. Thre,
blocks distant was the fremont House
larger than any hotel in Washington, nov
in ruins. The streets crossing this ant
parallel Herewith, were all built up will
noble structures-magnificent proofs of tn
enterprising spirit of the citizens of Chi
cago. One OF the crossing streets is tn
famous Wabash avenue, the most note,
city drive of the metropolis, adorned witt
thousand beautiful residences, and man,
great churches. Michigan avenue, frontin
ON the lake is another. In point of resi-
dences, this is the Fifth avenue of Chicago
The north division, near the lake, ha
many fine residences, which are noted 70
extensive grounds and elaborate ornamen
tation by trees and shrubbery. But ther
arc no such great rows of business house
here as on the south side neither are ther
= on the west side but this part of the cit
does much business, and always wears a
animated look. Some of the finest resi-
dences Of the city are here, and also som
Vi ttlc IHOSl UOleu CuuICLeS. III all part
of the city except the northern part--fol
say, three-quarters of mile from Chicag
river-there are many wooden buildings
The city is not, in all parts oft, compact
built. 1t is about twelve miles long, mort
and south, and about six miles wide beng
: in fact, one of the most extensive cities, j
geographical area, in the world. In fror
, Of the city is the lake, in rear a vast eS
panse of prairie. So that, when the wind
+. do blow at Chicago, they blow with gres
5 force. Such has been the case during til
terrible visitation.
The Fires Saturday Night.
. There were two fires on Saturday nigh
+ One was in Wells street, in the south div
e sion, but, though ordinarily it would hay
created some excitement, it is hardly mer
' toned since the great calamity that follow
!, ed. On the same evening, however, thel
: was great fire on the west side. 1t col
!, sumed several blocks of buildings, but wa
# at length subdued by the fire department
BY these fires many families were rende
cd homeless, but the buildings were mos
; ly poor, and the loss was not estimated
j more than half million dollars. Exec
I as temporary inconvenience, this disast
I ter would not have at all interrupted Il
i activity and progress of Chicago. But
Sunday night, about 9 o'clock, began
4 The Great Conlagration.
: This great conhagration began in Il
: west division, some two miles and h;