The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-11
parks, and for the burning houses from


many more at Lake View, and on Full
lerton avenue, near Prairie, the peopl,
are being fed in the remaining churcbe es
school houses, under sheds and by tn,
roadsides.
1t was cold and chilly this morning
causing great suffering, but it is now
clearing up again. Instead of this be
ing welcome, the people are praying
earnestly for more rain, 80 fearful are
they of a continuation of the fire. This
is the situation this morning. Further
information will be sent as rapidly al
received.
Meanwhile, we give report Of the
fire and its incidents, especially prepared
by those who witnessed and fought tho
flames throughout.
Late on Sunday evening, a boy went
into stable on DeKoven street, neal
the river, on the west side, to milk q
COW, carrying with him a kerosene
lamp; this was kicked over by the COW
and the burning fluid scattered among
the straw. This was the beginning OF
the great fire. A single extinguisher on
the ground, or the active work of the
police in tearing down one or two shan.
ties, would have prevented the
spreading Of the flames. But engines
were waited for, and when arrived
the firemen. stupe6ed by their
exertions at the fire on Saturday night,
worked slowly and clumsily their
efforts were unavailing. The wind
from the southwest blew gale and
rapidly the flames shot from house to
house and from board-yard to board.
ward, until the district burned the night
before was reached. Meanwhile the
flames had crossed the river on the
north of Twelfth street on to the south
side and made for the brick and stone
business block, railroad freight depots
and manufacturing establishments.
The full extent of the danger was
realized for the first time when the Fire
Department, already tired out, worked
like heroes. The Mayor and bis city
government, that had supinely rested.
now began to exert themselves, but the
opportunity had been lost. The time
when a thorough organization could
have blown up the buildings, or pre-
pared for the emergency, was neglected.
1t was now a fight for life. The wind
was blowing and a stiff gale had pos
session of the flames, and the beautiful
buildings, Chicagos glory. lay before
them. Harrison, Van Buren,, Adams,
Monroe and Madison were soon
reached, and the intervening blocks
from the river to Dearborn street on the
east were being consumed. Three
quarters of mile Of blocks were con.
sumed, as if by magic.
CINCINNATI, October l0.-Dispatches
received here, dated Chicago, S:45 Z:
NJ, state that the. fire has been subdued
on Thirty.frst street, and is now com
pletely under control and no further
danger is anticipated. So far twenty
three dead bodies have been found in
the ruins.
Every one is demoralized.
The Cincinnati delegation has ar
rived, but it cannot distribute provisions
before tomorrow.
A special police force has been sworn
in, for the purpose Of guarding the city;
Wailing and suffering prevail on all
sides.
CINCINNATI, October 10.-An agent
from several Chicago papers just arrived
here to procure type and material to
enable the papers to resume publication,
Mr.. Halstead OF the Cincinnati CONNER
cial advanced type and material enough
to enable three papers to start. The
gentleman, Mr.. Farran, reports the
scenes in Chicago during yesterday and
last night as appalling in the extreme.
Many persons became crazed and jump,
ed into the river, while several stabbed
and killed themselves. Those in the
immediate neighborhood of the fire
attempted to save their property by
loading it on wagons, but the horses
became wild and unmanageable and
rushed through the streets, knocking
down men, women and children, and
dashed on into the flames and were de-
stroved. Children were LETT to SHIFT for
themselves and sat on the curbstones
waiting for fathers and mothers. The
fire would seem to cease for few min
utes, then rush on with redoubled rIgor,
sweeping everything before it and eating
it. way into the Nicholson pavement,
which was also aflame for miles. Every
building on Van Buren street from the
river to the lake is in ashes, and large
part OF the west side and the entire
north side is in ashes. The firemen put
forth superhuman efforts and worked
for twenty-four hours without cessation,
but were finally obliged to throw them.
selves on the ground exhausted, and
see the city melt down before the de-
vouring element. Mr.. Farrau says the
loss OF life will probably be greater
than now reported; it is impossible,
though, to give any definite report. as
the people are so scattered that many
NAV be lost who are now thought to be
out on the prairies.
Much apprehension is felt for the
safety Of Mr.. Hoskins, Superintendent
in Chicago OF the Pacific and Atlantic
Telegraph Company, and Mr.. Hobart.
agent OF American Press Association,
neither of whom have been heard from
or seen since shortly after the fire broke
out. The last seen OF the latter he was
going out to gather particulars. The
telegraph company lost nearly every,
thing in the way OF instruments and
material. Fresh supplies and men have
been sent to day. and satisfactory con
nections will be established by to'mor
row. The wires of all the telegraph
companies have been Frustrated io'
miles outside Of Chicago, In neari!
every direction, by prairie fires.