The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-10-27

pose, utterly incapable Of bearing with
eluanimity such q calamity as the de-
Rtruction OF their homes, yet here there
were many instances of heroism and love
worthy 10 be sung in stroy. Mrs.
Id, of Wabash avenue, had been
deserted by her servants as soon as II
became certain that the house was
doomed they had gone on, taking with
them whatever they could lay their
hands on. She, her daughter, and her
invalid husband were alone IN the house,
and the flames were rapidly approach
ing There was no help to be expected,
for everybody was bent only on saving
what he could OF his own property.
There was not a moment 10 spare, aud
the two women actually carried Mr..
Id away in their arms and brought
him ia safety beyond the reach Of the
Are. Such instances were numerous
alike among rich and poor.
As the fire approached the river it be-
came evident that il would croas ID, aud
soon that fear was realized for the
wind carried brands across the narrow
stream to the northeast side, and there,
ing the gas-Works, set il ON lire, and
then the flames, having secured foot
hold, rushed ON 10 then work of further
destruction. The gas-house WAS de-
stroyed, and the city was lighted only
by the fires which were consuming itself.
Then came a panic such as IA city has
rarely seen. Vague rumors of pillage
filled the air, and deeds of violence and
horror were more than dreaded. The
people rushed pell nell from their houses
rather than remain within them in dark
ness-the most hated and detested thing
in times of disaster aud catastrophe.
They ran in crowds about the streets,
meeting crowds rushing from opposite
directions, and, in their fright trying 10
push their way through the dense masses
which encountered them, were trampled
down and many of them crushed to death
in the desperation Of the moment.
The vessels in the river then took fire,
and as the flames nan up their masts,
seized the rigging, aud danced like
tiends upon the spars, lenping about
from one yard 10 another, the scene was
beautiful and terrible beyond descrip-
tion. But there was little though of the
picturesque among those who witness
ed it--all was horror and dismay.
Men who were milliunaires yesterday
morning, are penniless to-day but
more terrible than all is the awful GER
tainty that many human beings have
persisted in the hames-hoW many, no
one can tell. Perhaps no one will ever
be able 90 tell but il is known that
some have persisted. and there is only
heart.siekening fear that the victims of
the fiery monster may be counted by
scores
Hundreds OF horses and COWS have
been burned in stables, and on the north
side numbers Of auimals though IT.
leased from confinement, were 40 be-
wildered and confused by the sea OF
fire which surrounded them that they
rushed wildly Ia and fro. utiering cries
Of fright and pain until sc0rched and
killed.
ANY attempt az description of the APP
palling scenes OF this direiul calamity
would be idle The simple fac. that the
once great city Of Chicago is nearly de,
stroyed. that hundreds of millions Of
active capital have vanished and that
an immense number Of Chicago's ia.
habitAntS are houseless. Is enough ANY
attempt 10 cmbellish would be mock
cry.
IL Is gmtiiying 10 notice that sveFy
city Of the Union, as soon As ID Was
known 10 what fearful extent the people
OF Chicago suffered, nj once took measures
for their relief. Hundreds of thousands
Of dollars, provisions Of all kinds, cloth
ing and necessancs were at once dis
patched 10 them, and il Wat all needed.
We may imagine, but one cannot attempt
10 describe the situation OF great city
like Chicago in ashes, its thousands Of
people in the strcs1s, homeless and
houseleSs tlie city without gas and with
out water. and These people huddling
together in the dark. dismal night. Ii
is frightful picture.
There was OF course, q heavy insurance
on the property burned. Chicago has
been built up no rapidly that most Of iis
business blocks we're mortgAged and of
course insured. but how much will be
realized from this source il - difficult 10
tell The risks were ia Eastern compa-
nies and they viii suffer SO severely that
many Of them must break down. There
were probably S5. O0O, O00 worth Of grain
and provisions stored in the city at the
time Of the fire, nearly all OF which was
destroyed.
Different reports have been given of
the origin of the terrible calamity, but
the following is believed TO be correct
Late ON Sunday evening boy went into
stable on Dekoven street, near the
river. on the West Side. to milk a COW,
carrying with him a kerosene lamp.
This was kicked over by the COW, aud
the burning fluid scattered among the
straw. This was the beginning OF the
great fire
Several men. caught in the act Of firing
houses on the West Side. were arrested
and Immediately hung 20 lamp-posts--
one on Twelfth St, near the river. aud
another three miles away on Ciny-
borne ave-, North Side. This summary
action checked the thieves and murder
srs.
A careful survey of the assurances,
shows that there were policies ON the
property destroyed amounting 10 over
5000. 600, 600 add another slOO. 600. 600
to this sum and fnir estimate can be
reached Of the loem.
IL is fearful TO think Of the loss of life.
It Is conjecturcd, and with good cansc,
that nearly 500 persons have been burned
10 death. -Four men were seen 30 enter
a burning building, and in a moment
they were overwhelmed by n falling wall.
There WAS a crowd of men around the
corner Of building trying TO save prop
erty, when the wall fell, burying some
Of them beneath IT, About twelve or
fifteen men, women, and children. rushed
into the building Of the Historial Society
10 fire-proof building) for safety. In a
few minutes the flames bnrst ont, and
they were burned 30 death.
A lady OF Chicago writes saw
some women and children and one man
exhausted lay down in the cutters TO die
in the hopelesSness Of desperation.
Others would seize and urge them along.
Smoke and cinders and flames and
scorching heat filed the mir. Children
screamed in terror and begged for water.
Some would catch up water from puddles
near hydrants and moisten the mouth.
" This is heh-fire ~ "This is the day
OF Judgment T. This must be the end
OF the world !" were the exclamations
heard. The degree Of sympathy that
prevailed was wonderful. There seemed
to be one instructive throb of feeling,
and the strong helped the weak. be-
Hpvp that thieves had n prpnt deal IN do