Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-10-11
THE CHICAGO FIRE.

n report received IN New 1olh aIc Ses'e'
day afternoon, that fire had broken out again in
Chicago,in quarter hitherto untouched, proves
untrue Gen. Palmer Secretary OF the Yves
tern Union Telegraph Company on reading
the report, teegraphed directly to Gen. Stager,
the Superintendent of the Company, now in
Chicago, for confirmation, and received the
following reply:
CHICAGO, October l0-4 P. M.-The fire
started in small building on Thlrty-hrst
street, but was speedily put out. lncendiarlcs
are busy, but seven or eight nave be s hanged
orshot at sight (Signed) ANsoN STAGER.
The following dispatch effectually disposes of
the rumor of renewal of the fire
CHICAGO, October 100 ?. M.-Thc fire
has not broken out again.
The loss of life is undoubtedly large, the es-
Inmates being not less than five hundred souls !;
but this is doubtful. The rush and confusion
which have separated and divided families, and
the fact that those who have persisted are un-
known, being mostly caught under falling walls,
renders the anxiety and suffering Of the people
most deplorable All the missing ones are sup.
posed to be dead, although many Of them will
perhaps be found to be safe. Many poor peo-
pie are reported going through the streets raw
Ing manacs their minds having given way un-
der the accumulation Of horrors, sutferings,
losses and personal troubles, through which
they have passed during the past tOrty.elght
| hours
The German agent of the H1tna Fire In
surance Company, of Hartford, announces that
the Company will pay every dollar Of its insur,,,
ancc The Hartford Phoenix Co., says it will
pay its losses
\ careful survey of the insurance companies
| shows that there were wtten on the property
destroyed over $200,000.0O0. Add another
Sl00, 1000 to this sum, and u fair estl-
innate can be reached Of the loss
The vast plain in Chicago is covered with
people wandering about seeing evidences OF
wealth that has completely vanished in flames
and smoke \ few business men with nerve
are seeking houses for business on the west
side. Rooms that rented last week for $50 now
readily command $1,000. There are not many
of these. but enough to allow few business
men to start.
When the FIRE was raging was to be seen the
most remarkable sight ever behcld in this or
any other country. There were from, $4,000 to
=. 600 men, women and children HeelDg by
every street and alley to the southwark and east,
ward, attempting to save their clothing and
their lives. Every available vehicle was
brought into rcquisition, for which enormous
prices were paid, and the streets and sidewalks
presented a fearful sight thousands OF persons
and horses uextricably commingled. Poor
people, of all colorS, shades and every nation,
ality from Europe, China and Africa, mad
with excitement, struggled with each other to
get away.
Hundreds We're tramplcd under foot, men
aud women, loaded with bundles and their
household goods, to whose skirts were clngng
tender infants half dressed and barefooted, all
seeking places Of safety. Hours afterwards
they might have beren seen in vacant lots, or
on the streets far ont in the suburbs. stretched
in the dust.
While there are many instances Of generous
devotion on the part OF the rich and poor III
dividing with the destitute, there are painful
instances OF meanneSs and SelhshnesS. One
person was trying to remove valuable papers
from IN Office, and asked two tiremen to help
him. but they refused, unless he paid them fifty
dollars There papers were destroyed. .,
Drivers of Express wagons have take 500
and even $500 for an hours use of their vehl-
ces in getting the distressed people away IRON
danger. Among the sad scenes was the appear
ance Of men and boys beasty intoxicated around
the streets of the North Division, where the
saloon-keepers stocks OF liquor were turned IN
to the streets.
The WASHINGTON l. OHIO RAILROAD
The travel upon this road seems to Us to be
increasing considerably. Nearly every tune
that we have travelled over it lately.we have had
two full car loads Of passengers. A number
of persons holding Office and doing business in
Washington, have bought homes along its line,
and arc building up beautiful villages at the
different stations We noticed at Gulltord,
particularly, a number Of neat new houses,
owned by office holders in Washington.
We hope that this kind Of immigration will
Increase IF should increase, rs We have
every reason to believe that it will. it would
be great advantage both to the railroad and
to Loudoun county \ man could live at
Hamilton and do business in Washington or
Alexandria without the slightest difficulty, and
how much cheaper would be the cost Of living,
and how much more pleasant and healthy 1t
would be for his family up here among the
mountains.
This railroad is evidently doing fine busl,
ness. The company, we understand, has paid
off the bonded debt for the extension to Hamll.
ton, and has greatly added to, and improved
the rolling stock of the road. The Superin-
tcndent, Capt Nathaniel Hays, deserves great
credit for the present condition Of the road;
We sincerely hope that the earnings of the
road will enable the company to push It Tor
ward, without outside assistance, in year or
two 1t would soon then be able to assume
position to command what capital it needed
to build it to its terminus upon the Ohio river.
We have but one fault to find with the pres
sent managers of the road, and that is stopping
the trains from running to Hamilton during
the winter. 1t costs but little to do this and it
would be great accommodation to number Of
our people, and it would make business enough
to pay for the trouble.
We honestly believe that if the company
would build hotel at the Hamilton Depot,
it would ne II splendid investment for few
thousands. The hotel itself would pay hand
somely and it would increase the travel upon
the road Turn this suggestion over in your
mind, Mr. Mckenzie, and we think your keen
perez ptiou will see at glance the profit wrap
ped up in it,-Londoua Enterprise.