Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-10
Fearful Conaagration in Chicago.
HALF THE CITY DESTROYED,

Two terrible fires have desolated Chicago, and
one Of them was still raging at late honr last
evening. The first broke out about eleven
o'clock Saturday evening, and was very de.
structve. 1t ragged until nearly twelve O'Clock
Sunday night. The second fire began about an
hour after the first had been subdued. 1t started
half mile south Of the first, on Dekoyen
street, at pOini not far from the center of the
southern half Of the city, and moved north
ward, finally crossing the intervening branch
of Chicago river and raging through the most
important and valuable part of the city, situa-
ted between this branch Of the river and Lake
Michigan. Here were the principal buildings
connected with the business of Chicago, the
principal hotels, banks, and newspaper offices;
and here, yesterday, everything was DESTROYED
on the whole territory, from Chicago river as
far south as Harrison street. This portion of
the burnt district will average seyen.eightbs of
mile long by from two-thirds to three-quarters
of mile wide. The great depot of the Mich.
gan Central and Illinois Central railroads stood
in the northeast corner of this district, and the
tracks of these roads run along the east side of
it. The following account of the origin and
progress of the second fire, was telegraphed
yesterday:
CHICAGO, Oct. 9-1A5, A. M.-The fire started
IN row Of two story wooden tenements on De-
koyen street, between Jefferson and Clinton
and, as was the case last night, spread with ter.
rible rapidity, Before a single engine could get
ON the road half the block was in flames and
burning furiously. The entire department were
soon on the ground and at work. For time
IL seemed probable that they would succeed in
c0nhnng II to four or five blocks The wind was
blowing freshly when the fire started and in
creased 10 gale, and suddenly the flames SEEM
ed TO spread in every direction, becoming be-
yond the control Of the fire department
Inc eon1agTahOn has already devastated ar
least twenty blocks, mostly confused of the
smaller class OF dwellings inhabited by poor peo-
pie NOT less than three hundred buildings
have been entirely destroyed, and more than
tnat NUMBER OF lamllles rendered homeless The
wind is blowing almost a gale from the south
and showers of sparks aud burning brands are
sweeping over the city, threatening destruction
on every hand The tower of the court house
caught fire from flying brands, but was extin-
gulshed by the Waterman No description can
give au adequate idea of the terrible scene
CHICAGO, Oct. go A. M.-The fire tonight is
the most terrible in the annals of Chicago II
has already swept over twenty blocks, and is
raging with unabated fury under a fierce south.
ern gale. The city is in a panic, and people
excitement. Trains have been sent to neighbor
ing cities for steam fire engines, as our force il
powerless. The fire has now extended a mill
from where ii started, Dekoven street, aud ha
reached the vicinity of the telegraph office, op
poslte the court house. and is a mile wide Tn
telegraph Office is threatened with destruction
one Ot the finest blocks in the city, opposit,
maj ONCE, Is now on fire. The fire has crossed
C1lesgo river. The wind spreads the flames il
~ u st1aat ~ mas now reached West Mon
roe sueet, distance Of more than a mile from
where it started, and covers a breadth of nearly
half mile, reaching from the river 10 jefferson
street. The district already burnt embraces an
immense number Of lumber Yards and freigbt
aepois Of tne Chlcago and St. Louis and Pitts
bnrg, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroads 'The
property already destroyed counts mn many
millions Of dollars, and perhaps the half is mo-
told. The task of arresting the flames nov
seems fYefold greater than an hour ago and n,
one dare venture an opinion as TO when a
where it will stop
Two o'clock at Chicago is three O'Clock here
The dispatches were sent from the office in tn
city until it was enveloped in flames.
THE NEXT DISPATCHES.
2JO A. M.-Ihe flames are raging with il
creased fury in every direction, and Gods mere
can only save the city from utter destruction. .
leaIloi panic prevails all through the street
where the people are rushing to and fro an
WneeplhIg ana wailing. The fire is approachin
erS.n - - = ~ suu u WEI probably nav
soon 70 De vacated. Brands from the FIRE wer
clown across TO the east side of the river an
set a wooden building on FIRE directly adioinin
the Chleago gas house, and the flames spread 4
every direction among the adioinings. IN
prospects are that the gas house will be destroye
and the city wrapped in darkness ferrihI
panic is prevailing throughout the city. Almos
everybody, men, women and children are in M
streets. 1t now looks as if the whole city rnigf
be destroyed. Large numbers Of lives hay
been lost, but how many cannot be known unit
the fire has been arrested