The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-10-17

wildered and confused by the SEQ of fire
which surrounded them that they rush
ed wildly to and fro, uttering cries of
fright and pain until scorched and kill
ed. Any attempt at description of
the scenes o: this. appalling calamity
would be idle. The simple facts that
the once great city of Chicago is de-
stroyed, that hundreds of millions of
her active capital has vanished, and that
nearly one third of her inhabitants are
homeless dependents, are enough. Any
attempt to embelish would be q mock
cry. As this awful day draws to close,
thousands of anxious eyes watch the
dense clouds of smoke which still roll
over the burnt district, with evident
dread that sudden change of the wind
may turn the flames upon the portion
of the city yet spared. There seems,
however, little cause for apprehension,
as reinforcemerts of firemen from 9th
er cities are constantly arriving Col
one j. j. S. Wilson, Superintendent of
the Telegraph, is in receipt of dispatch
es from leading cities, announcing that
aid is being provided for the sufferers.
Colonel Clowry, of St. Louis, telegraphs
that seventy thousand dollars has been
subscribed by the merchants. Cincin-
natl promises one hundred thousand
dollars, and CFeVelaifs is pfoportionate-
ly generous. All this and q great deal
more will be needed to relieve the i'm
mediate pressing wants, and every thing
is being done by General Stager and
his assistants to keep up communica-
ton for the citizens and press with the
world outside. Colonel George Twill
liams Superintendent of Cincinnati re-
ported promptly for duty this morning.
About three-fourths of the United States
mail was saved and taken possession of
by Colonel Wood of the Post-office SER
vice. -. p.
FURTHER DETAILs-How TEE FIRE IN
SOUTH DIVISION WAS STOPPED.
CHICAGO, October 9-6 p. M-The
progress ofthe flames in South Division
was finally arrested about one o'clock p.
NJ. This was accomplished by the blow
ing up and demolishing of several build
ings on. Wabash avenue and congress
street, by Lieutenant-Gereral Sheridan
The district burned oyerir South Divis-
ion embraces everything from the main
branch of Chicago to the lake, embracing
about one hundred blocks and this dis
trict contained all the leading business
houses, the banks, Insurance offices, no
tells, etc, and large number of churches,
including Mary's Catholic SIT
ity, First Presbyterian, Second Presby-
terian, St. Pauls, Swedenborgian, etc,
The Methodist Church on the corner of
Wabash avenue and Congress street is
saved. The Michigan Avenue Hotel, on
the corner of Michigan avenue and Con-
gress street, and Congress Hall, directly
adjoining on Congress street, are saved,
Michigan Terrace, on Michigan avenue,
embracing the residences of Lieutenant
Governor Bross, Hon. John Scammon,
S. c. Griggs, Peler L. Ross and other
leading citizens, is completely destroyed,
with the furniture and nearly all the other
contents. All the newspaper establish
ments are totally wiped ont. The Trib-
une building resisted the fire for several
hours, but finally yielded; when McVick-
ers' Theater, Immediately adjoining, also
with stood the raging element, but finally
succumbed. In fact, all the buildings in
the District which claimed to be fire
proof share the fate of those which could
make no such claim. The great Central
Depot, at the foot of Lake street, became
aheap of ruins about nine O'clock. Most
of the passenger cars of the Michigan
Central, Burlington and Quincy, and Hi
nois Central Railroad were moved on the
breakwater and saved, West of Clark
street, in the South Division, the fire ex-
tended south as far as Polk street, sweep
ing everything before it, The distance
burned over here is some three blocks
wide and over half mile in length, num-
bering about twenty blocks. The build
ings were generally of the cheaper char
acter-embracing saloons, small shops,
poor residences, etc. The district burned
over on the west side commence at Tay-
lor street, trimming from DeKoven to jeff.
erson, ran thence four or five blocks
north and then moved diagonally toward
the river, and finally the west line was es
tablished on Clinton street and reach ed
thence to the river. Itmoved in this line
northward until it reached, the North
western West Side depots. where it stop
ped. Assistance Of nearly two miles from
whereit started. The D., Ft. w and G.
and c. and St Louis depots were in this
territory. Both passenger and freight
were in this district, and are wiped out
Almost the entire northern division, from
the main branch and Chicago River, to
Lincoln Park, nearly two miles in length
and one mile wide, is completely destroy
ed, including the ater-works, large
number of elegant churches, ETC.. This
statement embraces the district devasta-
ted, and embraces almost the entire bus
mess portion ofthe city. South of Har-
mon street, in South Division street, and
reaching ont many miles, and covered al
most entirely with dwellings composed
largely of the more elegant class, is un,
touched, and may now be regarded as
safe from injury. For miles and miles in
every direction the sidewalks, lawns, va
cant lots and front yards Of dwellings are
filled with people who have escaped from
these burning dwellings,, taking with
them onlya a scanty amount of furniture
and clothing. The sight is truly pitiful
and narrowing. Unless they receive i'm
mediate relief, many, from exposure and
starvation, will perish, of course. AS
stated in my previous dispatch, tits utter
ly impossibleto make an approximate es-
innate of the entire loss, butt can scare
ely fall below one hundred and fifty
millions of dollars. OF course but a
fraction of this amount can be realized
from the insurance.
General Sheridan has TO day telegraph
ed to st. Louis, to the Missouri Depart
ment there, to send at once to Chicago
one hundred thousand rations. He has