The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-10-19
THE WISCONSIN FIRES.

The fires in Wisconsin have been extern
8ive, destructive, and fearful in the loss
of life. They had been raging for weeks
IN different places, and on Sun
day night, the 8th, inst in .
tremendous gale, they swept down
both sides Of Green Bay devastating
every thing in their reach. The fire
reached Peshtiago about nine in the eve
ming, preceded by rushing wind and
roaring sound like the s1rf of the sea,
accompanied by electrical flashes ard
balls Of fire, and in one minute all the
village was enVeloped in flames. The
only safety was in the river and on the
wet ground where the fire did not reach
About FIVE hundred lives were lost at
Peshtigo. The sapbush, consisting of
three settlements, was laid waste with
fearful loss of life Minnekaunee was all
destroyed but few houses on the point.
Fortunately only one life was lost at
Minnekaunee, and that, it is said, was
caused by fright. Thousands are left
houseIess and homeless, and without food,
clothing or shelter
On the east srde of the Bay the same
tornado swept through nine or ten towns
at about nine IN the evening, accompan-
led by fire which destroyed everything
before it. Here too the loss of life was
fearful. At Williamson's single mil
every thing was burned and the loss OF
life was awful. Out of about eighty
persons living at the mill fifty-seven died
either by burning or soffOcation. Forty.
five bodies were found in potato patch
IN a heap. Two were found ina we'll
and the rest were scattered in different
parts of the clearing. The fire complete.
ly surrounded the place, filling the clear
ed spot with flame and smoke in which
seventy or eighty persons had to pass
through fearful struggle for life Those
who survive are badly burned and tell a
horrible tale of the confagation. On the
East side of the Bay, as on the West
thousandSare left houseless and homeless
and without food, clothing or shelter.
AS the people came to the relief of the
destitute and suffering caused by the
fires in Chicago, so they have come and
are coming nobly to the relief of the des
titute and suffering caused by the fires il
Wisconsin. A Relief Committee at Greer
Bay, of which Mayor Kimball is Chair
man, appealed to the people IN behalf Of
the sufferers, and have charge of all dona
tions for their relief. Governor Fairehild
has issued at least two proclamations call
ing upon the people to organize Relief
Committees and to contribute for the re-
lief of the destitute and suffering. He
has also assumed the responsibility to
draw upon the State Treasurer for funds
to help provide for the immediate neces.
sites of the destitute, with the expecta
tion that the Legislature will approve it
and make an appropriation to replenish
the Treasury. But the main reliance is
upon the people in making contributions
Help Will be needed through the Fall
and all the long Winter, and into Spring
and even Summer. Although the con
4ributions are liberal there is no danger
of their being too much. Relief Commit
tees should be appointed in every City
Village and Town, with the view of fur
nish1ng such relief as may be needed til
such tim es as the destitute and suffering
are able to provide for ane
take care of themselves. And it is no
too much to hope that the humanity ant
benevolence of the people will be equa
to the occasion.
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