The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-10-26
THE WORK OF FIRE.
The Peshtigo HoIoeaust.

The PeshfigO Holocaust.
A correspondent Of the Cleveland
Herald gives a graphic account Of
the sudden and total destruction by
tornado and by fire which came up
on the village of Peshtigo, .Wiseon-
sin, on the ever memorable Sunday
night of October 8th. After deserib-
ing the place as a nice little town Of
1000 inhabitants, with a sash, door
and blind factory, a foundeFy, a fac
tory for making pals, tubs, etc.; and
good stores, churches, hotels, etc,
the writer says the neighboring pine
woods had been on fire for ten days,
which the people had been vigoT-
ously fighting, and then continues
as follows:
On Sunday night they were awak-
ened from this feeling Of security by
a noise like distant thunder, which
increased in volume until the crash
of falling trees and the roar Of the
wind and fire could be plainly heard.
Soon after tornado burst upon the
town, unroofng a number Of build
ings, and quickly followed by a solid
sheet fame, extending the whole
length of the town, and far beyond,
each way. In an instant the whole
exposed side of the place was in
flames. Men, women and children
rushed into the street, and, surround
ed by fire on all sides, were soon
either smothered or burned to death.
In the less exposed portions Of the
place the people fed 10 the river,
and, jumping in, many were drown
ed. Some saved their lives by keep
ling their bodies under water, and
Ionce in a while putting their heads
under as the heat became insufer-
able. Others took refuge in wells
and cisterns and were saved. Quite
a large portion of the inhabitants
ran to a field to the leeward Of the
fire, and, by lying on the ground,
were saved, although some Of them
were badly burned. There is but
one house left standing, and that is
Isolated and lately built lumber.
The destruction has been so COM
plete that the streets cannot be trae-
ed, all being covered with sand,
; which was swept in great clouds by
1.-THE tornado. In some instances
, bodies have been found completely
covered with sand.
2 Iu- one instance a man took his
{. family and lied to tAe- BEides-sPaa-
ming the river. The bridge was
soon on fire, and the poor unfortun-
ate family were nearly roasted alive,
I and then jumped into the river and
D were drowned. A woman, on see
f ing the fire approaching, put her lit
tie girl, a child of six years. in
well which was nearly dry, and ran
to the river herself fer security. The
e woman was saved, and, as soon as
:. she could, found out the locality, and
: her joy was so great at finding the
e little one alive and we'll that she
!, swooned, and on recovering elasPed
her child in her arms and uran OF
F. crying for joy.
- Too few, alas. were so fortunate.
!, In many cases whole families have
n perished. In other cases men have
I lost their families, they being, at the
> time of the fire, working to save the
+ factories. In other instances men
,r persisted in their endeavors to save
'e their families. In one case to which
# my attention was called a little boy
20 of seven years is the only surviving
;, member of a numerous family.