Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-04
A wAsHINGToNIAN In CHICAGO
Interesting Letter from the Deya~sa-
ted (fty-Incidents Of the Ffre-How
Wood PavemeBts stood the Test
The Feeeling aud spfrit Exhibited
The Help Extended from Washing
ton. etc.

CHICAGO, Nov. I, ISL
Dear Sidr,-I do not propose 70 throw any
additional light upon the subject Of the great
fire which has devastated this city, but after
two days wandering among the ruins, can
scarcely think OF any thing else.
Before coming here, 1 had carefully examined
the subject with the aid Of charts, and fully BE-
heved had nothing more to learn; but had
utterly failed TO appreciate the extent of the
calamity or the degree OF suffering IL has caused.
No pen or tongue can possibly do the subject
justice, and l shall not attempt It. A ride
among smouldering ashes, tottering walls
and twisted columns, a distance equal 20 that
from the navy yard to Georgetown, extending 10
the right and left as far as from Pennsylys nia
avenue TO N street, presented a scene Of desola-
ton which would cause the stOutest heart 10
weep, il hearts could weep.
IL is the burden Of every conversation. and
nearly every person has some narrative OF suffer
ing TO relate, some tale of woe of himself or
friend, some grief which had stricken his heart
OF household.
/ could I'll one side Of your paper were I 20
relate the incidents repeated TO me the past two
days. One young man told me he was a clerk
in wholesale hardware store, containing half
million dollars worth of goods The clerks All
worked until driven of by the heat, and sue
ceeded in removing about seventy-fve thousand
dollars worth Of goods to a park. A stock Of
teas was removed 20 the same place. The fire
dragon soon annihilated what had been with 30
much labor removed. Another man told me he
removed bis trunk seven times, and utterly over
"
packed their valuables I'm three trunks, and
dragged them six squares; the flames compelled
h6m, all exhausted, TO fee for their lives. Many
were driven to the lake, and standing in the
water, dashed IL upon their heads and clothing,
expecting for hours that death, either by fire or
water, IVES their certain doom. One whole fam
lily were, for eighteen hours, thus exposed. And
80 the catalogue might be extended. Much Is
known, and more will be revealed, but never
can the whole truth ne told.
made special examination OF the effects of
the FIRE upon the wooden pavements, of which
there are upwards Of a hundred miles in this
city. L rode not less than ten miles over this
pavement in the burnt district, and can safely
aftI m that not a whole mile in all passed over
will have TO be relaid; and went where the fire
was so fierce that il destroyed bricks and melted
iron, leaving nothing but ashes Even here the
pavement Is as good to-day as IL II on NJ street,
in Washington. This may appear incredible,
but il rs the simple truth. In no instance, as i
have been repeatedly Informed, did the pave
ment convey the fire. In some cases the wooden
sidewalks, where raised above the surface, did
feed the flames, but this Of but little &C
count. The FIRE was carried by the hurricane
of wind whole blocks at a leap. Houses miles
away from the fire would be oyertaken in a few
hours, when a whole day was calculated upon
for packing and removing.
Though the city is desolate, the people do not
despair. Their manhood, courage and hopeful
ness remain, and all are looking forward 20 see
Chicago restored with all its pristine grandeur
and beauty.
1 will not occupy your space by attempting to
uesCTlDc inc mcasutee ioI Ttlcl Iiat are INV
well systematized and in regular operation.
Considerable red tape is necessary 10 prevent
imposition, but the wants OF the needy are album
dainty provided for. The generous bounty of
the whole civilized race fills all hearts with graf
itude, and, and as one sufferer told me- he could
look upon the ruins left from twenty years
honest industry with dry eyes; but when he saw
the generous Outpourings Of the race In sympathy
and substantial aid, he could not restrain the
tears of gratitude and thankfuness. And as lac
talked his utterance was choked with emotion.
The generous donations from Washington are
well appreciated. wish we could appropriate
a million instead of a hundred thousand; but we
have done what We could, and shall not lose our
reward. w. s.