Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-11-04
Mn1iseeIIaneons. q
STRICKEN CHICAGO.

rTdphtc itctuFeS OF thG DiStffSS ana suffering IN
Chicago-Ifo'c the Money aud Provisions are
Distributed.
Miss Phebc Cousins, known as the "fe-
male lawyer" writes an interesting letter
from Chicago to the st. Louis Republican,
from which we take the following passa-
ges:
Think of the families separated by this
fiery iicnd-many had to rush III their night
clothes out III the open air and run with
all their strength to places of safety. and
perhaps be Immediately driven away by
the flames from thence-fathers, mothers,
wives, husbands, children all separated
some finding their graves in the cold waters
Of Lake Michigan, some burned, some
finding safety on the barren prairics miles
from home, none knowing where the lost
ones were; and you can family imagine
the awful horror Of the calamity, and the
suspense of these families many of whom
are still hunting their loved ones without
success; many destined alas never TO
meet again on earth. Can human Ian
guage even describe it l.? Then the sick
and dying, women in confinement, many
giving birth to- children along the bleak
shores of Lake Michigan, and no eye save
Gods to witness. | am told by physicians
here that as many as five hundred cases of
premature birth have been reported, and
the many helpless mothers who gave birth
to children along the lake can be number
Ell by scores. L can only weep as | hear
this terrible tale. One, told me last night,
is almost too much for human heart to
bear. The daughter-in-law of Il clergyman
gave birth to n child along the shore, and
separated from the family, and neither
mother nor child have been found. An
other-a lady in the Sherman IIouse-was
carried out into the arms of her husband,
the newborn babe casped to her breast,
and both died in the fathers arms before
reaching place Of safety. The poor man,
crazcd with grief, was last seen along the
lake, with his dead across his shoulder.
Again L heard of tine looking woman in
night dress being seen wandering along
the lake shore with twin babes, all of whom
have died without recognition, and been
buried by the city. These are but few
among the many awful horrors of that
night. The people of Chicago are well
nigh bcreit of reason, aud | am only sur
priscd that they can think and act with
any intelligence at all.
Here are these people, accustomed to all
the rciinemcnts and doicacies of life, with
out clothing, without proper food (ior our
supper was beans and 5read), too proud to
ask assistance, sensitive to the last degree,
shrinking from public notice, suffering far
more than the lower classes, and utterly
prostratcd by this blow, and God, | be-
licve, has directed me tonight TO help
them. by to-morrow's set of sun they
shall at least have n full lardcr. by day
break was up and dressed, and in short
time l learned that the houses all over this
part of the city-Michigan Wabash, In-
diana anu Prairie avenucs-were filled with
this same class of people, many OF them
sick and burned, and their physicians uu-
able To prescribe for them, because they
had neither medicines nor stimulants, and
could not get them.
We drove 10 General lIardie's quarters,
where the provisions clothing are received;
and l endcayored TO find our st. Louis
supplies, but could learn nothing of them.
Our boxes consigned TO Mrs. ID. and my
self were also lost, and | was obliged To
take what ! could get. General ilardie
has very kindly given me full liberty to
take any and all supplies that may need,
but II is immense labor,
| have tO run from one end of the ware
house TO the other; get a man loaded up
aud follow him out 10 the wagon, and then
Mr.. Gale, n member of the board, who is
my escort, watches the wagon, lest he too
drive OIL Ailer we are loaded we have TO
drive behind the teams and watch each un-
load, Ia order 10 prevent them from being
stolen. our faith in human nature at first
was so great that We allowed them 90 take
directions aud drive along 90 II designated
point but We never heard from them af-
ierNards, aud doubtless ere this q hourish-
ing corner grocery Is established by means
OF our patronage. The gentlemen at the
warehouse arc an very Kind aud ohliging.
bat their hands are full They are Obliged
% knock down aud drag out these misera-
bio cormOrants, who swarm there By tho
dulen, every i've minutes,
General llardio's supply of troops is H.
miled aud We have tried la vain 10 get an
ese0rl Of reliable honesty Ia take charge
~ NO had systematic organization asa or
sani1atlon aad systematic plans sucl as
lha CINCINNATI delegation eau bpast oI Nc
could haze worked hero Nllhoul lnls la,
tsast tAisiril exhaustion. Tho linclunail
dth- ,llon, Nhlse rhalrulan 10 ihe Hon,
hilas kgek, ls the uply one al all lhe drie' I
Hstlaas iTDia iufsign clliga that has anl u
aiHklHg alihnul gunlusluu, ihgY brought
lhllr sleg.ang aHi pgoslslDn par VIII ihpm
i1F lhsli aaA usa Ihgif suFplfs eeie
uislsg lLg el.aI8e % lAlea p9..eshlen pa