The New York herald., 1871-10-13

coo OR 1900 LIVES,
u that wili cover the entire number when an ntcili.
gent account can be rendered.
PiIgrimnae Thr0uyh thc Burned District
WHAT Il Lcft-E0ects of the Flames on
StOncs Brick md tron.-The Right on the
Prairies-No Liquor soid-The Grain Inte-
rest and Bills Receivablc-The Bankers
Vaults Hopeful Prospects.
CnIoAa, Oct IL,
Via CLEVELAND, 0ct. ~, 1871.
The terrible calamity which mas befai,cn Chicago
Is wholly indescrbable No pen painting can por-
tray It, nor any language describe 1t. Those who
the conlagration viii completely understand and
confirm this must 10 seen to be appreciated or
cOmprehended.
WHAT CHICAGO HAS ESCAPED.
The heavy ram OF Monday night aided materially
IN preventing the spread OF the fro westward across
the north branch OF the Chicago River.
Until then everything was the matter OF accidenr
Notwithstanding the hcrculean efYOrts OF the fire.
men and citizens burning shingle. falling mast
from vessel, whirlwind OF sparks, floating boards
and timbers on fire, all combined TO increase the
chances that the DANES would at some point on the
river gain hold on the Othor bank and continue
their ravages northwest; bur BY daylight Tuesday
morning the Gre had substantially died out and
further danger was mainly averteJ.
TIE DANCER NEARLY OVER.
Except the flames which occasionally burst out
from smOuldcring ruins or sprang up nercely when
some trembling walls gave them temporary iue,
and the burning OF the great glowing, seethinR.
sulpnurOus masses OF bitumInous and anthracite
coal In piles twenty feet high ana extending almost
continuously along the north branch FOR three
fourths OF mile, the dev0uring element seemed ~
rest Men brcathed more freely feeling that the fire
had spent It's force and must die out for want Of fuel
The following statement, plainly written as possi-
Bile, may convey to the reader some general idea
OF It's point OF origin, general course ana main es.
tent.
TIE EXTENT OF THE FIRE.
The lake shore at Chicago runs nearly north and
south, ana the principal streets parallel thereto
and at right angles herewith chicago River runs
back from tine lake due west nearly mile, and then
forks into what are called North and SOUTH branches
which run IN reality almost north and south
respectively for at least q mile each. From the
main river southwark the streets In order are South
Water, Lake, Washington, Madison, Monroe, Adams.
Jackson Van Buren,, Congress, Harrison, Polk and
Taylor. The last named is at an estimate consider
ably over
MILE SOUTH OF CHICAGO RIVER PROPER.
Beginning at the lake the streets westward Michi-
gan avenue, Wabash avenue, state street. Dearborn.
ing the South branch, Canal street. clinton, Jcaer-
son, &c. The nre Saturday night destroyed on the
west side every building within the bounds OF
Adams street on the north, Jefferson tue west,
Farquer and Taylor on The south, ana the South
branch on the cast, excepting few buildings OF
little worth used by the Pittsburg Fort Wayne and
Chicago Railroad All bridges across the South
branch are destroyed, from Madison street 10
Twelfth street.
THE ORIGIN OF THE cONFLAGRATIoN.
On Sunday night about nine O'Clock woman or
boy was milking cow in small stable near The
corner OF Dekoven and Clinton Streets on the west
side, and just south OF the district burned over the
night before. BY some accident a Kerosene lamp
was unset In the cowshed The flames spread
rapidly, owing TO high wind and dry condition OF
The buildings. The gale came from Iittlc west Of
south. and the fire crossed the South branch to the
east s,oe. ,us, south Of Harrison Street
IT'S PROGRESS.
By SIX O'Clock on Monday morning II had swept
diagonaiy across the territory bounded ~ Harrison
street, the South branch the main river and the
lake east. in It's passage the Michigan Southern
and Rock Island depots, the New Pacific Hotel,
Iarman's block. Post once, Times and 7i9oune
onlces. COur, House, Chamber of Commerce, Sler-
man, fremont and Briggs Hotels, Metropolitan
opera House and other noted edhces were con-
sumed.
LAID In ASHES,
by noon every building OF whatever description
within the limits last named was IN ashes with
the single exception OF Fuller Finch Fuiler's large
brick drug store, standing On the angle formed by
the main river and the South branch. on the north
side from the river northward, the streets are
North Wafer, Kinzle Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio Ontario Erie, huron, Superior, Chicago ave.
nue.. Pearson, Husdaie. White Whiting, OAK,
Wendell, Hill, Elm, Ciybourne ayenre, Granger.
Sigel Schiller, Black Hawk, North avenue, Linden,
Menonlonee, Wisconsin, Centre. Sophia Asylum
Reiden Fullerton avenue (Which Is the south line OF
Lincoln Park). Lin avenue, Wrghtwood avenue
and few Others not laid down on the city man.
TIE COURSE or THE FLAMES.
When the fire swept norihwarj across Chicago
river It missed few buildings on Kin2ie street
ne xt to the North branch but crept round them 10
the river above and followed the east bank OF The
North branch fun half mile, lgnitag The immense
coal yards that were located there. From thence
the westward line OF the hre was nearly straight;
line TO Lincoln Park. Everything east OF this 10 the
lake and south TO the Tiyer was burDci. with an
other single excepiion-a wooden building, fronting
Lafayette square The north and IN The centre Of
fine grounds reaching rom North Clark 10 Dearborn
street, owned by Mr, Ma'lon d. Ogden. A. the
northern end OF Lincoln PARK the city limits were
reached. and the fire stayed ts ravages Tor lack or
anything TO consume.
WALK THROUGH TUE BURNED DISTRICT
revealed the terrible extent and force OF ITS ravages
In many places The streets were filled from curb
stone 10 curbstDne with hundreds OF tons OF bricks
and stone, rendering them almost impas able 10 The
bravest pedestrians. A portion Of tue front wall OF
The Pacific Hotel stood Tor several stories ia height.
threatening TO topple passers-by with every
breath OF wind. corner OF The Ilonorc block shot
nh ryc stories high on a base a few feet s0uarr
Tnc tribune building, erected last year, was sup.
posed 10 be nreptoof, vet nothing Is lett oft to-aay
hut parts OF iu diapida,ed wsils and mass OF
rubbish and twisted iron in ts cellars and base.
ments. The Post once and Court House walls stand
intact and ioos bnt lle the worse lor the fire save
IN their smoked ani blackeDed condition. The
Times ofiice and many other buildings could only
be located by careful count Of streets and lots.
Passing up Randolph from Dearborn a group OF