Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-13


is useless to attempt description. 1t was
sublime--the noble and daring struggles to
beat back the flames and save the build
| ings-but the wisest and bravest efforts Of
men were the struggles of Lilliputians, and
the engines seemed absolutely contemplate
in their feebleness, even when doing their
best. A broad river of flame, reaching
miles in length, could not be resisted.
Vat Z O'Clock took walk over the BUSH
ness portion of the South Side. The Post
Office still defied the flames. The Tribune
building stood grandly and stubbornly out
in a logged resistance that was encourag-
ing. The grand house Of Field, Letter g.
Co. was still bidding defiance to the flames.
1t looked as if, in this quarter, the fiery foe
was about to be conquered, and we return
ed to Mr.. Honore's weary and sleepy, and
ventured to lie down for nap, assured that
the danger in this direction was over. We
were reused in the course Of an hour with
tidings that the house was on fire. The
wind had risen to very fierce gale, and was
sweeping along the avenue northward with
great fury. We had just time to snatch up
coat and satchel and descend from the third
story to make our escape over piles of
burning carpets and blazing furniture be-
fore the house was surrendered to the
flames. Then we saw that the portion of
the city which we had regarded as saved
was doomed. AS far along as the Michigan
Avenue Hotel it was evident that the fine
residences must 60, and some of the
chuches on Wabash avenue and the Palmer
House were already in flames. Making
our way through clouds of dust and throngs
of frantic people, we reached a quieter
region in the southern portion of the city.
Then, amid all this terrible tumult and
despair, came tidings from Cincinnati of a
hundred thousand dollars, and provisions,
and fire engines, and all sorts of brotherly
things; and strong men took each other by
the hand and wept. 1t is not all evil, even
calamity like this
At o'clock Monday afternoon we took.
the Michigan Central train from the Twen-
ty-second street depot, TO make our way
back to Cincinnati. 1t was fire, fire, fire,
pretty much all the way to Lafayette. Be
tween Chicago and Michigan City the prai-
ries and the woods were on fire on both
sides of us, and sometimes we had to make
our way through the fire, the flames f1aring
up TO the car windows, and the floor of the
car becoming so heated that the feet could
detect it. From Michigan City to Lafay-
cite we were in almost constant sight of
raging fires, in prairies or in the woods, and
sometimes to the very edge of the track the
fires were raging.
In conclusion, let me say that the conduct
of the business men of Chicago was, as far
as could see, most admirable. When l
speak of frantic crowds, it is not Of the
business men that speak. The men who
saw their whole fortunes consumed in an
hour, looked on with brave hearts,and res0-
lutely talked of trying it again. They de-
serve to succeed; and we expect to see Chi
cagO rise from this fiery baptism to new
and grander life. Meanwhile, let not the
opportunity to cheer the hearts of this suf-
fering population be neglected. There is
great restitution, and it must be provided
for. Let the terrible darkness that broods
over hundred thousand hearts be dissipa-
ted by the ready 6enevolence of the people
at large. ISAAC ERRETT,
Editor Christian Standard.
CINCINNATI, Oct. 10, 1871.