Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-01
THE TEMPEST OF FIRE.
Graphic Description of the Burh-
Ing of Peshtigo.

THE TEMPEST OF FIRE.
Graphic Description OF the Burf
Ing of Peshtigo.
From the New York Sun. H
THE COMING STORM.
Sunday in Peshtigo--the Sunday {
the fre-was noticed as a chilly da,
though the atmosphere was remarkabl
still and filed with a dense, blindin
smoke. The smoke created no alarm
as the smouldering fires in the pinerie
about sufficiently accounted for il
Toward evening the smoke increased i
density, while the chilliness of the al
bmosphere perceptably abated, and earl
in the evening gave way to occasiona
hot puffs from the burnt districts. 500
after s o'clock in the evening, the warmt
of the atmosphere still increasing, an,
the smoke almost suifocating in it
density, low sullen rumbling began t.
be heard far away in the southwest
while a painfully ominous stiffness per
vaded the immediate vicinity of the town
People asked each other what was th
matter, and tried to appear unconcerne,
while trembling with underlined appre
tensions. At halfpast the far.of
rumbling had increased to
III f A STEADY ROAR .IA
like distant thunder, or the coming o
heavy freight trains at full speed. Mer
felt their way through the smoky street.
and congregated at the hotels, in front o
stores, and at other places OF resort, anC
discussed the strange sounds. Anxiou,
mothers nepyously and hesitatingly pu
their little ones in bed, and then peered
out through the dismal streets to Sc,
what they could see. Nine o'clock came
and with It an alarming increase of the
unknown sound, which now resembleC
the roar of dozen freight trains racing
at full speed, the location of the SOUND
being sensibly nearer the town. Sud
denly there was a cry Of FIRE sounding
through the smoke-beclouded streets, anC
men rushed hither and thither in the i'm
penetrable blackness, rubbing their eye,
for sight and stumbling against eacl
other as they ran. But no fire wal
found, though the search extended ou
of the village and into the edge of th,
woods, and the excited people hurried
back to their houses laughing at eacl
other's apprehensions and
-ps TRYMGiTo FEEL SECURE.
Scarcely, however, had the confusion
of the first alarm subsidized when the ap
palling cry was again raised in anothe
quarter, and the blind running aud col
liding and stumbling was renewed al
the terror-stricken citizens sought see
ond time for the flames that we're no
to be found. But while this confusion
was at its height, and while the majority
of men were away from their houses
cropping through clouds of smoke anc
lblackness, and with roar that was now
almost deafening filling their ears, {
change began to manifest itself in tn,
atmosphere. The whole air seemed sen
sibly agitated, and angry puffs of almos
burning heat came sweeping through tn,
town, while at quick intervals afrightfu
glare penetrated the smoke from tn,
the southwest, and at times seemed play
ing high up in the heavens above. Ever
the very earth seemed to quake ant
tremble.
HORRORS IMPENDED ON EVERY HAND.
Mothers caught their children from
their beds aud hastily dressed them. A
cry Of terror filled the town. Men
fastened to their houses and collected
their families about them Many bolder
ones caught up their valuables and
buried them. Even the dumb heastl
were seized with fright and ran below.
ing through the streets. Then came,
Nearer. clearer. and more deadly than be-
FORE"
that horrible roar, now resembling the
din of a mighty battle, and with it the
more eccentric and violent agitation OF
the atmosphere, more continuous show
of the lurid glare overhead and in the
southwest; while to add to the horror OF
the night
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE,
like flaming missiles shot from unseen
artillery, began falling on the housetops,
in the streets, and all through the doomed
village. The scenes that followed were
an aggravation if possible of Dante
wonderful description of hell. Men,
women, and children, horses, oxen, COWS,
dogs swine, fowls-everything that had
life was seized with panic and ran wildly
and.with equal uncertainty to escape the
impending destruction. The smoke was
sufocating and binding, the roar Of the
tempest deafening, the atmosphere
scorching Children got separated from
their parents and were trampled upon
by the crazed brutes; husbands and
wives we're calling loudly for each other
and rushing in wild dismay, they knew
not where.
THE DAY or JUDGMENT
had certainly come in the opinion of the
great majority, and yet they all sought
to escape its terrors. The oppressive,
burning heat seemed to be the most
dreaded aflictisn, and, following the in
stincts Of the animals, those who could,
ran tothe water. The majority Of the
residences were on the southerly side of
The river, while the companys store.
boarding house, warehouses, and shops
occupied somewhat isolated positions on
the northerly side Of the stream. Many
people rushed to these for safety. The
great clearinghouse was soon filed with
people. A number of the company s
employees sought shelter in the store,
taking their families with them. .r.
BURSTING OF THE STORM.
But while the community were thus
seeking shelter anywhere and
everywhere rather than where they
chanced to be, the awful scene changed,
and, with the bowling Of a tornado
against which seemingly nothing could
stand, came a storm Of fire, which an
eyewitness likens 70 the heaviest snow
fan Of winter, with each flake Of snow a
coal Of FIRE. The heavens rained fire on
every hand, as il TO consume the whole
earth.
In an instant every building in the
town was in a blaze. And then the fury
Of the tempest received additional
strength and burst In one mighty effort,
as il determined that flames should not
rob it Of its prey. Houses crumbled