Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-10-28
The Wisconsin Fires.

The following Communication from our es-
teemed medical friend, DR.. S. s. HARRINGTON,
come 10 hand last week too late for insertion
ocosTo, Wis, Oct. 10. 1871.
Editor Telegraph:
DEAR SIR The fearful calamity which has
lately visited ChiCagO has 50 occupied the
papers that presume you have not seen much
about the destruction which passed over the
northern portion Of this country at The same
time. But no pen can write or tongue tell it,
in its fearful realities. How can VIC describe
that which is indescrbabeP The northern
portion of this country, incl uding Peshtigo,
Marineite and the district known as the Sugar
Bush, is one scene Of ruins-not house, barn
or fence standing for ndies. After spending
Two days with parties from here with supplies,
provisions and clothing, l could then form
some idea Of the destruction vi lie and prop
ery. 10 one section, out of Eve families, mum
bering about forty persons only :wo escaped.
Strong able bodied men, sank down overcome
| by tie heat and smoke Mothers dropped
their infants in their terror lO escape the terri
Dle tornado OF tire which Was upon them. The
dead and dying were scattered far and near
We found one young man who bad cut his
throat, prefcIriDg death that way TO burning.
Another had cut the throats OF children and
then his own. The tornado came from a
soulh-easterly direction, passing about eight
or nine milrs north west OF this place. Its
course through the woods 10 still marked by
destruction. Bear, deer and other animals
could not escape, but lay by the roadside and
scattered through the woods.
P,shtigo, seven :een miles north of Us, was q
fine fourishing villsge of about 500 inha6i-
lants. the " PeshtigO Wooden Ware Com.
pany," was one OF the largest in tue West, EN-
ploying between three and four hundred op.
eralives. The destruction OF property Wal
complete, not one house leib standing, anC
that of life was fearful. 1t is difficult TO lesrr
Just the number who have lost their lives, a
latest reports it had reached 500. At Marti
neite, only portion Of which was burned
and 10 lives lost, they have two hospitals es
lablished TO take care of those burned, anC
there is quite number at PesbtigO Harbor
Relief has been coming in for week past by
the Car Lad, consisting of clothing and pro
visions, which has been distributed TO the bes
advantage possible. All the adjoining town,
have given nobly, and are still willing to give
more.
Gov. Fsirchiid passed through here yester
day, and said that the country must be seitlel
over again, and that the State would iuInisi
them the means when it was needed. MIR
Ogden, one of the large property holders ant
mill owners vt Peshtlgo Harbor, said that the!
could have all the lumber they wanted at hi
! mill free of charge. l send you some OF th
local papers, which contain more OF the sta
tistics than have been able 10 keep track o
Oconto city has been very fortunate thus tai
though We have had fires all around US for III
past six weeks, and had We had any such toI
nado as passed north of us, we would hav
been destroyed in the same manner. for thcr
was no possibility Of escape. On the othe
side of the bay they had the same destruction
The fire was in the woods and tie wind caI
ried il with it, feeding itself it went like I'll
I whirlwind.
. We were blessed with good rain on Sat
/ urday, the l4th, which We hope has put ou
: all fire ia the woods. Very truly.
s. S HARRINGTON,