Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-02
A Lnmherlng Town Burned.

The following is the sad story of the
burning of the town Of PeshEgO, Mich
Igan Advancing steadily onward the
fire at last envelopod and destroyed the
little town Of Pcshtigo. We have still
to receive full accounts Of the tragedy,
but we know already that five hundred
unfortunate people have persisted. The
village is some seven miles from the
harbor, and on a Sunday evening the
same wind probably that worked the
ruin of Chicago, blowing with the force
of hurricane, famed the smouldering
fire in the forests around into a blaze
and drove the fire into the village. This
was within few minutes OF the time
when the Chicago fire broke out--be-
tween ten and eleven o'clock, In less
than ten minutes tie entire village was
in flames, many poor people, who had
retired for the night, had not time to
escape from their homes, and were burn
ed alive in their own homes.
There was no possibility Of checking
the flames and the surrounding forests
presented one mass of fire. The people
could only fly to the river for safety.
Those living in close proximity to the
water reached it and wadcd i'll tin it
reached theirnecks. Here they remain
ed from two to four hours and by wet
ting their heads were able to escape with
life. But many were badly burned
about the head and face while in the
water. Many were drowned. Others
women and children, died from the cX-
posure. Those who lived only one on
two streets from the river were stricken
down by the flames and barnod to death
before reaching the water, whole families
we're destroyed. In the morning the
streets were strcwn with burned bodies.
Eight or nine bodies in one cornel
were found near together. One family,
consisting OF father, mother and SIX
children, were found dead together with
in three feet Of the water. Ii is impoSsi'
bic to give correct estimate Of the loss
Of life. tits supposed that the intimates
of the Peshtigo Company's boarding
house, one hundred and upwards IL
number nearly all persisted. Every re-
port from the neighbOrhool settlements
bring information Of houses burned Nnc
many lives lost. The immense pal
factory and large sawmiIl, and the Stores
1 bridges, locomotives and cars we're burn
ed and every kind Of property destroyed
As soon as the fire had sufficiently
subSided, all that were able went to the
relief of the sufferers. BIackened
2harred corpses Were lying in every direc
ton, with their clothing as genera
thing, nearly or quite burned Off Many
dead bodies were found in the river, ant
many more have since been recovered
\ number nave died from their bruises
while others are crippled or fearGully
dishgured. The most imaginative minC
cannot begin to realize this fearful cal
amity much lossmy poor pen to describe
it. The shriehs and groGns Of the dying
and Of those who had lost near and deal
friends the ghAstly aspect Of the blacl,
enel corpscs; the shocking appearance,
OF many who, badly burned and almos
destitute of clothing, were running the!
knew now where; others in the las
agonios OF death, made Il picture to'
horrid for contemplation. The sufferer
have all been taken to Green Bay, anC
other towns, where they will be kindly
cared for, as hospitality is one of tn
marked traits Of the West. The loss T.
the Pcshtigo Company, who owned th'
factories and most of the town. beside
large pine lands, is estimated at thre
million dollors, besides the loss Of tAei
extensive warehouses in Chicago.