The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-10-14

journal ana ObQef newspaper OmceS,
the Western News Company's block,
Field & Letters establishment, brakes
block, recently built, and FarweH &
Co.'s, all We're soon in ashes.
1t seemed that no sooner had the
flames struck wall than it went di-
rectIy through, and a very few min
utes sufficed to destroy the most elab-
crate structure. The walls fairly melt
ed, and the very bricks were consumed.
The wooden pavements took fire,
making o continuous sheet of fame
two miles long by one mile wide. No
human being could possibly survive
many minutes at any given point.
Block after block fell, and the red hot
Goals shot higher and higher, spread
further and further, until north side
was vast sheet Of fame from river
to lake.
i At one time it so hemmed the peo-
pie in that it was expected that thou
sands must perish. The Sherman,
fremont and other hotels were
emptied of their guests, and aremark-
able sight presented itself in hurry
ing throngs, sacks or bags ON their
shoulders, fleeing amid the flames for
their lives. Those who could, made
for the burning bridges, others got to
the lake shore and south side.
But three blocks of all the vast bus
mess section remained at daylight,
viz: The Tribune block, Custom-house
and Honore block, ON Dearborn street,
and those who had fought the flames
here thought that at least the Tribune
block could be saved.
Parties of men nnder Sam Medill
swept off the live Goals and put out
the flames inside the walls, and an
other lot of men under the direction
of the Hon. Joseph Medill, watched
the roofs at half-past seven o'clock.
This appeared safe and most of the
men went to get rest or food and a
number went to sleep in the Tribune
building, but there was change of
the wind, and the flames reached Wa
bash avenue, State street and Michi-
gan avenue. Soon McVicker's theatre
caught fire, and in a few moments the
Tribune building was in flames, and at
the last moment the sleeping men
were aroused and rescued from the
flames. BY ten o'clock in the fore
noon, this remaining block was in
ashes.
Now was to be seen the most re-
markable sight ever beheld in this or
any other country. There were from
fifty to seventy-five thousand men,
woman and children fleeing, by every
available street and alley, to the south
ward and westward, attempting to
save their lives.
Every available vehicle was brought
into requisition, for the use of which
enormous prices were paid. The
streets and sidewalks presented fear
full sight. Thousands of people and
horses were inextricably commingled
Poor people of all colors and shades
and of every nationality, from Europe
China and Africa, mad with excite
ment, struggled with each other to get
away.
The National Bank of Commerce
opened it's vaults this morning, and
found the books, money and securities
in perfect order.
The general agent of the Etna In.
surance Company announces theil
readiness to pay every dollar.
Drivers of express wagons have OBJ
tanned from one hundred to five hun
dred dollars for an hours service.
Hundreds of intoxicated men and
boys were on the streets, many Of
whom persisted in the flames.
Women and children are wandering
about the burnt district, hungry.
/ An immense number of persons arr
missing.
Two companies of United States
infantry have arrived, and will be i'm
mediately placed on patrol duty.
New York, October 10.-The repor
that a fire had broke out again in Chi
cago, and was burning fiercely. is pos
itively contradicted by dispatch from
General Anson Stager, of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, now a
Chicago, to General @. H. Palmer
treasurer of the company here. Gen
eral Stager states that a fire started IN
small house on Thirty first street, il
the south division, this evening, bu
was speedily extinguished.
Incendiaries were busy, but sever
or eight had been hanged or shot a
sight.
The Spectator, an insurance journal
says: g None of the leading corpora
tions are insolyent. A great majority
of the companies viii pay the losses
at once. Some have already begun t.
put assets in order to liquidate thei
obligations" The Spectator intimate
that the actual losses of the companies
will not much exceed $35, ,OO0, 900. Ru
NOR says that eight companies have
failed, but better await official an
nouncements. The president of th'
International Company leaves for Chi
cago to make settlements.
/ WASHINGTON, October l0.-The sui
treasury at Chicago lost S2,OO0,00O
of which $500, 900 was in gold.
! NEW YORK, October 10.-A. Bel
mont, Duncan, Sherman & Co., ant