Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-10-10
THE FIRE AT CHICAGO.
s.ro,hic AccOunt-Thc Fire Out.


Graphic Accountable Fire Out.
CHICAGO, Oct. 10th, 2:2O a. m.-(Special to
the Times One fourth Of Chicago ism ruins
The fire is still burning in the West division.
TAYLOR and Halsted streets are swept to the
! North, east aud South, burning IN entire area
of FIVE square miles from Hastcd street north
to the river, and from The river cast to Lake
Michigan. The fire then crossed the river
north side, and swept uliintcTruptedIy to LIN
coin Park, taking IN its way churches. schools
and dwellings. No business hou-e is lett IN the
South Division All the railroad dcpots. thea
tres, newspaper Offices, including the Tribune,
Post, Times, journal, Mail, Zeitung, Union
and Advance, the waterworks and gas works
went early in the night Steam engines ar
rived from Milwaukee, but were useless y
fearful loss of life has been occasioned because
of the falling of walls. y vain attempt was
made to tear down blocks to check the flames.
Buildings are now being blown up on the
south side Ten thousand business men will be
compelled to make assignments, and all lnSur-
ance crash isinevitable. Desolation and sorrow
universally prevail. The river is impossible be-
tween the west and south divisions except at
18th street bridge; all the others are burned;
1t is feared this remaining one will be crushed
beneath the overwhelming traffic. Five tLous-
and poor families are homeless and pennlcss'
The railroad depots are burned. travel has
ceased, with no mails and but limited telegraph
communication Help should be sent at once
to the Door. The wind is still bolsterous, and
if it turns North nothing can save the west dl-
vision. The present loss is estimated at from
100000 900 to $780, 100000.
Fire proof buildings burned like finder es-
pecally the banks, not one OF which remains.
Few business houses saved even their papers.
The whole population have been busy all night
and the streets are now like blvouac with
sleeping men The loss OF life it is impossible
TO estimate The shipping ordered into the
north branch of the river was sent adrltt INTO
Lake Michigan. Many vessels were burned.
All business is suspended and must remain 50
for the present Tremendous efforts were made
to save the Tribune and Post as well as the clty
Hall and government buildings. Nothing re-
mains but backened stores and cracking cln-
ders. No paper can be published until type
comes from elsewhere, Us the tyne toundilcA
arc also burned.
The origin of the fire was i'll Il stable where
woman took Kerosene lamp at milking
time A large number Of lircmen are Killed ;
all did their duty noby but the SIRENS OF wa
ter in the burning blocks were like fountain Jets
against the awful heat of the conhagratlon. y
new hotel eight stories high, just completed,
sent up pyramids of solid flame, making Lake
Michigan ruby colored for miles. The burning
bridges along the river are swinging graceful
| arch Of fire from shore to shore, and burning
| ships sailed in the crimson waters. All the
churches in the South Division, the convent Of
Mercy, all the r. r. buildings, and front man
sions ON Michigan and Wabash avenues are
gone. The very pavemcnts arc burned
Rumors says now that another fire has broken
out in HYDE Park, southern suburb and Is
moving north. If this be true the destruction
of the remaining portion OF the Southern d.
vision cannot be prevented.
One hundred squares arc already burned in
the South Division. The population will pro-
badly be reduced to $4,000 in month;
The business men cannot resume unless sub
| stantial help is sent from the cast and west
\ hundred thousand employees engaged in
mercantile business, arc out of employment
The streets leading to the unburut part OF the
South and all leading to the unbroken bridge
west are completely blocked by all kinds OF
vehicles carrying sick and injured people and
blackened furniture.
The county records are safe, but the city re-
cords are lost.
Mayor Mason has received dispatches from
St, Louis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Louisville and
elscwherc inquiring what they shall! send. tic
asks tor cooked food for lO0.U 900 homeless per-
sons.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. l0.-Passengers via
the PENNSYLVANIA Central for points beyond
Chicago will be promptly transferred at the
crossing points of the lntcrSectlns lines Out
side Chicago aud no delay will arise on ac-
count Of the fire. As soon as the terrible con-
ditiou Of Chicago was known Yesterday orders
were transmitted by President Scott. o.: the
Peruna Central to carry free over all the lines
controlled by that company from every point
any contributions of food and clothing destined
for the relief Of the destitute people OF CHI
cago.
New York, Oct l0-ll a. NAT mid
night last night the Western Union Telegraph
Office, which has been located at the corner OF
Wabash avenue and 10th strcet,was removed to
ood street in consequence Of the approach OF
the fire. At 3 clock this morning notice was
given that the fire was again upon them
and they must make further retreat, Since
that time there las been no communication
with the city.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
furnishes the following st Louis has just
had communication with Chicago. lie report:
q heavy rain there last night aud the fire !:
al ont.
From New York.
New York, Oct. lO.-The excitement il
this city relative to the Chicago calamity Is II
no wise abated. This morning ali people who
! - 1870. .o .Lo;r ,rorl shopS earIv were auS