The New York herald., 1871-10-14
sORR0R AND sUBLIMITY OF THE SCENE
Hsartrending, Shocking, Shameful and
Amusing Incidents ae9 ,a9' pa

M nr, CHICAGO, Oct. IL, 1871.
In describing the scenes and incidents
that came under my own observation during
the progress OF the connagrauon can
be guilty OF no exaggerauo1, for all that
the Imagination can picture or the mind conceive
fails to carry any adequate idea Of the grandeur aud
sublImity on the one hand, and the misery and
horror on the other presented by the awful spectacle
OF the burning CITY, II viii be necessary In order to
properly understand the series OF events Sunday,
Monday and tuesday. 70 go hack . little and aa'
NARRATB SOME PRECEDING EVENTS,
whicn largely tended to precipttate tine dire caam
ity The events OF the previous week had In great
measure demoralzed the city authorities and rend-
cred them utterly united for the trying duties tncy
were more lately called upon to perform. From the
rst OF the month until the date OF the destruction Of
the city, '." -.f tr ~. ~
THE FIRE ALARM HAD NEVER CEASED ~
10 strike; the dry weather had long prevailed,
| rendering every dry substance completely innam-
mablc and the slightest cause hence suficient
| to kindle great flames in every direction.
| These precursors Of the subsequent awful
tragedy seemed to all appearance 70 have
| aAtsa CULMINATED ON SATURDAY
| evening in the breaking ont OF Ore which con-
sumed four entire blocks destroying In Its course
more than twenty acres OF lumber and coal yards
| 1t was my duty as reporter on morning paper TO
visit the scene OF the c0nnagraiOn, and certainly t
exceeded, In intensity, extent and ruin anything
had previously seen, The 1remen made the most
heroic exertions to stay It's progress. and by their
bravery and courage extOred cries OF sincere admi-
ration from the vast crowds OF spectators who
gathered on every side. After unparalleled exer-
tons they succeeded In
A GETTING 1T UNDER CONTROL, af. n
and by three O'Clock nad gained complete mastery
over 1t. The tired men were then sent to their
homes by the Chief Marshall, as he judged all dam
ger OF its further spread was removed. On Sunday
een GREAT ExcIrEMENr PREVAILED
through the city, and masses OF people kept passing
to the scene. Many were the comments they In.
dulged In; but one feeling seemed to be predom-
nant and that was one OF thankfulness that the de-
s.ructlon had not been greater. attended service
IN one OF the prominent churches In the after.
noon, and an impressive appeal was made
on behalf OF the sufferers by the ofciating clergy
man. who little deemed that he was
DELIVERING THE LAST ADDRESS
from the pulpit In which he stood. had been
wcarled out by the laDors OF the preceding night,
and on my return home Immediately retired TO
rest mad scarcely got to bed when
HEARD THE FIRE ALARM STRIKE
In southwestery direction. / sprang up and
rushed TO my window and, looking out, saw that
the whole heavens were illuminated the streets
seemed as bright day and the heat carried by the
wind was most intense. said to q fellow reporter
who slept in the room with me, a
'JUMP UP Pp
the southern part OF the city Is on dre.n We both
hurriedy dressed and FASTENED to the scene but
before we went far we botn had come to the con-
clusion that the city was doomed, as the names
were travelling with velocity that was perfectly
terrific. In nalr an hour from the time the nre
broke out six blocks OF frame buildings had been
swept away, and still there was
= =
which, thoroughly wcarcd and exhausted by the
efforts or the preceding night, was in no condition
TO cope with the new and more appalling danger.
The 1rcmen had become completely demoralizcd,
and In many instances were under the influence OF
liquor, so that instead OF the band Of heroes OF
the Saturday evening, we found nothing but
panic-stricken and lawless department.. Had it
been In ever so good order It Is only q
matter Of opinion whether 1t could nave accom-
pished anything, but my belief Is that, had the
fremen been on the ground in time and in o
thorough state OF efficiency The flames might have
been checked. But as " was nothing done, and
In short time the fire had extended as far north as
Van Buren, street,
CARRYING DEATH AND TERROR
before 1t and leaving ruin and desolation behind.
The magnificent depot OF the Lake Shore and Rock
Island Railroads had now become enveloped In
flames and in an awful brief period was reduced to
O complete ruin. II was one OF the finest buildings
OF Its class in tine United States, and mad gained the
admiration Of travellers for the variety and com.
pleteness OF It's arrangements; but the destroying
element knew no mercy, and In . few minutes 1t
was . smoking heap OF ruins Hundreds OF cars,
which could not be renewed, were burned TO their
trucks, and when went over the ground on Tues
day they extended, far as the eye could reach,
LONG ROWS OF UTTER wRKcKs.
The buildings around the depot were mainly
frame ones, and were chiefly occupied by persons
OF the lowest order OF morality, chiefly
THIEVES AND PROSTITUTES
OF the worst class. The district bore the same re-
lation to Chicago that ST. Giles does to London or
the rive Points to New York, and it had long been
the horror and detestation or the better class OF
citizens. The shantes burned LIKE so much tinder,
and the scenes that to be witnessed all around
this place were neartrendng In the extreme. The