New-York tribune., 1871-10-10

depots Of the atter), moro than score OF churches
and much Of the shipping in the river-all are de-
stroyed.
Men who were milionaries yesterday morning,
are nearly penniess to-day; but moro terrible than
all IS tho awful certainty that many human beings
have perished in the fames-how many, no one can
tell. Perhaps no one win be able to tell but
it is known that some have perished, and there is
only heartsckenine fear that the victims of the
fiery monster may be counted by scores.
Hundreds of horses and cows have been burned in
stables, and the north side numbers of animals,
though released from confinement, were 30 bewil-
dered and confused by the sea of fire which sur
rounded them that they rushed wildly to and fro,
utterng cries of fright and pain until scOrched and
killed.
Any attempt at description Of the scenes Of this
appalling calamity would bo idle. The simple fact
that the onceSgreat City of Chicago is nearly de-
stroyed, that hundreds of millions Of active capital
here have vanished, and that nearly one-third of
Chicago's Inhabitants houseless, is enough.
ANY attempt to embellish would be q mockery.
AS this awful day draws to close thousands OF
anxious eyes watch the clouds of smoke, which still
roll over the burned district, with evident dread
that sudden change of wind may turn the
flames upon that portion Of the city yet
spared. There seems, however little cause for
apprehension, and reGnforcements OF fremen
from other cities are constantly arriving.
Col. F. F. Wilson. Superintendent of the Telegraph
is in receipt of dispatches from leading cities an
nouncing that aid will soon be provided for the suf
ferers. Col. Clowry of St. Louis telcgraphs that
$4,000 have been subscribed by the merchants there
Cincinnati promises S2OOCOO and Cleveland is pro-
pOrtionatey generous All this and great deal
ho a1oA 10 tha Int
ing wants.
Everything is doing by Gen. Stager and his assist
ants to keep up communications for the citizens and
press with the world outside. Col Geo. L. Williams
Superintendent at Cincinnati reported promptly Tor
duty this morning. About three-fourths of the
United States mail was saved and taken possession
of by Col. Wood of the POst-Oflice service.
LATER.-The flames in the South Division were
finally arrested by blowing up and demolishing sew
eral buildings on WabaSh-ave. and Congress-St., by
Lieut. Gen. Sheridan. The District burned over in
the South Division embraces everything from the
main branch of the Chicago River to the Lake.
and covering about hundred blocks
This district contained all the leading
business houses, the banks insurance offices, hotels
&C. also large number Of churches, including st.
Mary's Trinity, First Presbyterian, Second Presby-
terian, st. Paul, Swedenborgian, &C. The Methodist
Church. on the corner of Wabash-ave. and Congress
st.. is saved. The Michigan Avenue Hotel, on
the corner of Michigan-ave. and Congress-st,
and the Congress Hail. directly adjoining on Con-
gressst., are saved. Michigan-terrace, on Michigan
ave., embracing the residences of Gov. Bross, the
Hon. John Young Scammon, S. C. Griggs, Peter L.
Ross and other leading citizens, is completely de-
stroyed.
All the newspaper establishments are totally
wiped ont. The Tribune building resisted the fire
for several hours but finally yielded, when NcVick-
er's Theater Immediately adjoining which also
withstOod the raging element, wholly succumbed.
In fact all the buildings in the district which
claimed TO be freproof shared the same fate of those
which could make no such claims. The great Cen
trail depot at tho foot Of Lake-st. became
a heap of ruins. About o'clock this morning most
of the passenger cars of the Michigan Central, Bur-
lington and Quincy, and Illinois Central Railroad
were moved on the lreakwater and saved west OF
Clark in the southern division, the fire extended
south as far as Polk-st., sweeping everything
before it. The distance burned over here is
some three blocks wide and half
mile in length, numbering about 20 blocks.
The buildings were generally Of the cheaper charac-
ter embracing saloons small shops, poor residences,
&C. The district burned over on the west side com
mences at Taylor-st running from De koren to JEFF
ferson The fire ran thence four or five blocks
north and then moved tdiagonally toward
the river, and finally, the west limit
was established on Clinton-st, and reach
ing thence to the river. 1t moved
in this line northward until it reached the North
Western and West Side depots, where it stopped
distance of nearly two miles from where it started.
The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago, and
Chicago and st. Louis Railroad depots in this
district and are destroyed.
Almost the entire Northern Division, from the
main branch Of the Chicago River to Lincoln Park,
nearly two miles in length and one mile in width, is
completely destroyed, including the water works,
large number of elegant churches, &c This dis
trct embraces almost the entire business portion of
the city.
The territorp south of Harrson-st., in the south
division. reaching out many miles. and covered al
most entirely with dwellings, mostly of the better
class is untouched and may now be regarded as safe
from injury.
For miles and miles, in every direction, the side
walks lawns vacant lots and front yards Of dwell
ings are filed with people who have escaped from
burning houses, taking with them only scanty
amount of furniture and clothing. The sight is
truly narrowing one. These people must receive
immediate relief, many will perish from exposure
and starvation.
As already stated it is utterly impossible to make
An approximate estimate Of the entire loss, but it
can scarcely fall below $15OOOOOOO. OF course but
a fraction of this amount can be recovered from
Insurance.
Gen. Sheridan has to-day telegraphed to st. Louis
n the Missouri depot there to send at once 100000
rations He has also telegraphed to Omaha for
two companies of soldiers and 100 tents. He will
also order another 100000 ratiOns.
Mavor Mason has issued proclamation calling
meeting tonight in the West Division to see what
the citizens can do for the relief of the sufferers There
oro AZ least 100 900 people who know not where they