Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-10-17

on the north side there is on diminu
ton in its fury, and that entire divi
sion of the city is evidently doome'
to utter destruction, and there ar
grave fears that the flames may sprea'
to the west side of the north brancl
Of the river, and the inhabitants c
the streets nearest the river are al
ready moving to places of supposed
greater safety.
1t is now positively asserted by
some that the water works are still
intact, but that the water has beer
shut off from the south and west divi
sions, on account of the quantity be
ing used on the north side. A relia
BILE gentleman just arrived from tho
north division bringing the joyful in
telligence that the water works are un
injured. Hundreds of horses and cows
have been burned in the stables, and
on the north side numbers, though re-
| leased from confinement, were so be-
wildered and confused by the sea Of
| fire which surrounded them, that they
rushed wildly to and fro, uttering cries
of fright and pain, until scorched and
killed
6 p. M.--The progressing flames
| in the south division were finally ar
rested about | o'clock =. NJ. This
was accomplished by the blowing up
and demolishing several buildings on
Wabash avenue and Congress streets
by Lieut.. General Sheridan. The dis
trict burned over in the south division
embraces everything from the main
branch of the Chicago river to the
lake, embracing about 100 blocks, and
this district contained all the leading
business houses, the banks, insurance
Offices, hotels, and large number of
Churches. All the newspaper estab-
lishments are totally wiped out. The
Tribune building resisted the fire for
several hours, but finally yield d, when
McVickers Theater, Immediately ad-
joining, which had also withstood the
raging element, finally succombed. In
fact all buildings in the district, which
claimed to be fre-proof, shared the
fate of those which could make on
such claim. The great Central depot
at the foot of Lake street became
heap of ruins about 8 o'clock. Most
of the passenger cars of the Michigan
Central, Burlington and Quincy, and
Illinois Central Railroads were moved
on the breakwater and saved. Almost
the entire northern division, from the
main branch of the Chicago river to
Lincoln Park, nearly two miles in
length and one mile wide, is complete
ly destroyed. This district embraces
almost the entire business portion of
the city. South of Harrison street,
in the southern division, and reaching
out many miles, and covered almost
entirely with dwellings, composed
largely of the more elegant class, is
untouched and may now be regarded
as safe from injury. For miles and
miles in every direction the sidewalks,
lawns, vacant lots and front yards of
dwellings, are filled with people who
have escaped from these burning
dwellings,, taking with them only a
'canty amount of furniture and cloth
ne. The sigth is truly pitiful and
larrowing. They must receive i'm
Mediate relief or many will perish
rom exposure and starvation. r-
Gen. Sheridan has to-day telegraph.
d to st. Louis to the Missouri De.
artment there to send at once 10O,-
90 rations. He has telegraphcd to
)maha for two companies of regi-
lents of soldiers and 100 tents.-
hey will all be here as soon as they
an reach here by rail. He will also
rider another 100000 rations.
CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 0 A. M.-There
vas heavy rain last night, and the
ire is all out.
At shutdown the wind lulled and at
; o'clock this morning the rain SO fer
Vently prayed for came. 1t did not
rain long, but the roofs of the houses
md ground have been wctted so that
now it is possible to have fires to cook
food for the multitude. A meeting of
citizens was held in the First Congre-
gational Church, on west Washington
street, which was continued through
out the night. Measures were consid
cred to protect what property was
left and to provide for the homeless.
Five hundred soldiers are on duty.
The precaution was necessary, for, as
remarkable as it may seem, there are
fiends who still sought to extend the
disaster.
Two MOI, CAUGHT IN tla oot &c c..