Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-17
THE PRAIRIE FIRES.
Michigan and Wisconsin AbIaze-De.
structfon of PeshtigoII,2oO Men,
women, aud Children ROaste
AIiye-f0O Radfes Reeovered

Later accounts from northern Wisconsin con-
hrm all previous reports and rumOrs. The loss
OF life in the neghborhOod of Peshtigo will reach
over twelve hundred. Fifteen per cent. Of those
injured cannot recover. A member of the re-
lief committee sent out from Milwaukee with
supplies, says the only survivors were those who
were fortunate 10 reach the water, many throw
ing themselves into mill ponds, clinging 10 float
ing logs. A number Of these were drowned by
being thrown from the logs by maddened horses
and cattle that rushed into the water. The fire
swept over a tract of country eight or ten miles
wide. Every building, fence, and AL the timber
were completely destroyed. The population Of
PeShtigo numbered 1900, one-third of whom
persisted that fearful night
Reports from the east shore of Green Bay
place the loss OF life fully as high a. at Pesh-
tigo. The same account states that the imme-
mediate wants OF the people are supplied, but
large amounts Of provisions and clothing will be
required for the coming winter. The mayor of
Milwaukee has issued an appeal % the people
OF the country for aid The velocity OF the fire
was 80 great that all escape was impossible. A
large number OF dead were brought 70 OcontO
for burial, as no materials for collins could be
procured.
The loss Of life on the east shore, in Dover
and kewanee counties, Is appalling. At Pen
saukce, twenty-five dwellings were burned and
several lives lost. The destruction Of hay, farm
houses and fences in the vicinity is complete.
In Brussels. Dover county, two hundred houses,
comprising the giau settlement, were de-
stroyed. and a large number OF persons are
missing. The people, in utter destitutOn, are
struck dumb with their losses, and pOwerless.
ntuHtrs DaAils, luliitnieuNN lut tatTle
are al destroyed; road are filed with the car
cases Of animals-horSes, cattle and sheep
dying from smoke and heat, while hunger and
starvation must be endured by the wretched
people. MeneEaunc HIS been destroyed. and all
its inhabitants are destitute. houseless and home
less.
IL Is reported the whole west coast Il on fire
tIOm Green Bay to MenOminee. Depere,
NHghtstOwn and Fort Howard are threatened.
No rain fell for two months until last sunday,
when copious showers were hailed with joy.
Great numbers of wounded have been brought
to Green Bay. The scenes were appalling. Men
and women were partially roasted alive, their
eyes burned ont and their ears burned OF. Adj
vices from Fond du Lac say tb at reports from the
northern districts grow hourly worse. The ac-
counts Of suffering are unparalleled. Clothes,
food and money are greatly needed.
Great fires are also reported in Calumet county.
Dwellings, barns, hay, grain and stock have been
destroyed. Not single town in the county has
escaped. All crops have been destroyed The
settlement Of WilliamsOn's Mills, at Sturgeon
Bay, has been burned and sixty lives lost.
News from Michigan Is very meagre, but most
terrible. No cetais have come TO hand, but the
total destruction of large number Of towns 10
reported, including Holland, Saugatnck, MANS
tee and Others.